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Post by schlager7 on Jun 17, 2005 10:40:39 GMT -6
Received via email from Marty Wysocki:
The United States Fencing Association has accepted the bid of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority (HCHSA) to host a Division 1 Junior North American Cup (NAC) to be held January 13-16, 2006.
The event will attract fencers from throughout North America and the HCHSA is confident that it will further the growth of fencing and awareness of the sport in Houston, Texas and the surrounding states.
Additionally, this will give Houston an opportunity to demonstrate its ability to host a major USFA event and could serve as a stepping stone to future events.
The HCHSA will serve as the LOC and every USFA club throughout the region and all persons interested, will be afforded the opportunity to participate.
The HCHSA has asked Marty Wysocki of Houston to coordinate the efforts of the local fencing community.
He will coordinate the forming of committees soon and begin the work of raising community awareness in the event as well.
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Post by mj wysocki on Jun 18, 2005 8:24:41 GMT -6
This will a great event and we will get to see all the best of the Div. 1 people and the best of the Juniors as well. Last year in Kansas City this event drew over 1200 fencers! If we all pitch in and get along, and the event goes well, we will be afforded the opportunity to bid for Summer Nationals and a World Cup. The venue is being discussed now, it will be one of our larger faclilities in Houston. The Harris County-Houston Sport Authority really has done a great job to secure this, and really does want to see fencing grow in our area. We owe them a great deal of thanks. They brought us the NCAA's and now this!
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Post by schlager7 on Jun 18, 2005 13:07:23 GMT -6
Marty:
Nicole/Maupin and I just wanted to let you that we would like to help in any manner that we can. Set-ups, grunt work, gofer...
At the NCAA, all we did was serve as volunteer timekeepers/scorekeepers... AND THAT WAS A BLAST - BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE!
So, anyway, you've got a couple of pair of helping hands if you need.
Needless to say you can post updates here to let us know any progress, problems, etc...
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Post by saberbobcat on Jun 18, 2005 18:42:49 GMT -6
Well... Megan and I are 4 hours away, but are very willing to help the organizers of this tournament. I agree that this is our opportunity to prove that the fencers in the coastal area are capable of joining hands and putting on the finest there is to offer.
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Post by Parry Nine on Jun 19, 2005 12:40:52 GMT -6
Please keep us posted here. I can think of a few people that I can bring down from the panhandle to help and to referee.
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Post by MJ Wysocki on Jun 20, 2005 7:05:52 GMT -6
Thanks Parry Nine! I will do my best to keep everyone updated on both this site, the Gulf Coast Division site and the SW Section site. The folks at the Harris-County Houston Sports Authority are doing a fabulous job in promoting Houston as a viable fencing venue! They brought us the NCAA's this year, now the Division 1 and Junior NAC in January, and they would like to bring in much more! If we work with them and do a good job, it could be a major gain for fencing in the southwest.
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Post by Aldo N on Jul 8, 2005 19:13:36 GMT -6
Marty, Please keep everyone current on this project. I happily paid for a ticket to watch the NCAA Championships a few months ago. (and isn't it just so terribly cool to say there was a fencing event in this town that SOLD TICKETS?) I will be more than happy to time keep, score keep, usher, haul water, whatever. Let's do this.
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Post by schlager7 on Jul 13, 2005 9:41:32 GMT -6
For those keeping up with local developments, here's the most recent I've received via Marty Wysocki:
With regard to the venue for the January Div I/Junior NAC, the George R. Brown is the first choice of the Houston-Harris County Sports Authority.
Oliver Luck from the HHCSA said they are awaiting the USFA's approval of the venue.
The decision has to be made within the next few weeks as they are getting some pressure from the George R. Brown schedulers to commit.
If the USFA does not approve the George R. Brown, the venue will be in one of two downtown hotels.
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Post by schlager7 on Aug 1, 2005 22:30:07 GMT -6
In another thread on another board, Marty Wysocki wrote the following:
We can now announce that the USFA has approved the George R. Brown Convention Center as the venue for the Division 1/Junior North American Cup to be held in Houston this January!
Let me quote myself, now from the current rogue site, just so my own feelings about this are perfectly clear:
Not only will this afford the Gulf Coast fencing community the chance to see Division-1 level fencing in our own backyard, but it gives our younger fencers, those falling in the junior category, a NAC that is incredibly convenient. Every Gulf Coast DIvision club with fencers in this category should consider this the chance of a lifetime.
This NAC provides one more item for the Gulf Coast Division: opportunity. Before the NCAA championships this last spring, the last major fencing event in this area was probably the US Olympic Festival of 1986!
It is known that, mere months before the NCAAs, a top USFA official had essentially stated that there was no way the quarrelsome Gulf Coast Division would ever host a national tournament. It would seem that the coming together of so many parties, so many from the different clubs, to help run the NCAAs changed some minds.
If ever we were given the chance to show what we can accomplish together, this is it. We are a large, multi-talented, gifted division. We can accomplish incredible things, but to do so, we will have to work together, put aside petty rivalries and personal grievances, and swallow a bit of pride, perhaps even eat some crow... oh, yes, and do a few thing for fencing itself.
Guys, we will NEVER have a better chance to show how much we can turn things around by our pure will to do so. This is the chance... not to snipe... not take potshots, but to do whatever each of us can to make this happen.
The LOC is no partisan club, but the Houston-Harris County Sports Authority. I doubt too terribly many of us are overly pre- or anti-HHCSA.
You may now riposte.
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Post by vraptor on Aug 2, 2005 12:42:21 GMT -6
Take it from one who has had to eat a lot of crow over the years. This is a dish best eaten fresh. Unlike spaghetti sauce or red wine, time does NOT improve the flavor.
Do we have any idea how long the USFA will take to approve the venue? Do we have any backups to the venue other than hotels?
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Post by vraptor on Aug 2, 2005 12:43:50 GMT -6
Oops. Missed that sentence. I'll help out once I learn to read.
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Post by fox on Aug 2, 2005 13:52:28 GMT -6
No worries. We all do that. Here, have an "exalt" for your trouble... ;D Meanwhile, let me second the call for everyone to show how this area can really shine. You can change a lot of minds with one spectacular turn out!
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Post by MJ Wysocki on Aug 2, 2005 15:57:52 GMT -6
I got OFFICIAL notice today, the contract was signed, the NAC is coming to the George R. Brown in January. It is final. Lesson learned:be careful of what you ask for, you might just get it! Now we need to shine!!
We can now proceed on planning and executing a successful plan. Several have expressed interest in involvement and that is very encouraging! I will set up a meeting very soon. Feel free to call if you need any info.
With the great unified annual division meeting we had onSunday, and now this official news, I think we're on a roll! Ain't it great! We can achieve a lot for the sport.
Marty Wysocki 713 870 3346
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Post by schlager7 on Aug 2, 2005 19:03:06 GMT -6
This is excellent, Marty! or, as Aldo said, "just so terribly cool..." Let Nicole and I know what we can do to help out: usher, escort, keep time and/or score, haul water, deliver sandwiches, you get the idea.
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Post by fox on Aug 3, 2005 7:58:18 GMT -6
Veni, vidi, vici!
Marty, you're the man! If you'd have logged in I'd have exalted you! (can't exalt guests, I guess).
Shouldn't something be going out to the local news media (papers, TV, etc)?
Look at the press the NCAA Championships got - - Fencing on the Front Page!
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Post by Cathy Dean on Aug 3, 2005 8:41:29 GMT -6
HCHSA has sent a press release to all the local media, including David Barron, who covered the NCAA Championships for the Chronicle. Our marketing plan for NAC will include TV and radio coverage as well as billboards similar to want we planned for the NCAA.
Keep watching for the expected announcement in late September that Houston has been awarded the 2006 NCAA Championships. Location will be the JW Marriott, GRBCC is full. Houston has been recommended by the NCAA Fencing Committee; just waiting for final approval from the Championships Committee at their next meeting.
Marty has done a great job already keeping all of you informed, look forward to working with the fencing community.
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Post by MJ Wysocki on Aug 3, 2005 8:41:37 GMT -6
Thanks Mr. Fox! The Houston Chronicle is probably going to print an article soon, now that the contract is finalized. There is an intern at the HHC Sport Authority that is facilitating that. Hopefully we will not be mis-quoted! I tried to stress what a great opportunity this is for Houston and what this could lead to if it is handled correctly. I also tried to stress that this will bring some very high level fencers to our area and that a lot of local Juniors who could not otherwise afford to travel will be able to participate. By the way, absolutely no credit goes to me, it should go to the good folks at the Houston Harris County Sports Authority. They are the ones who have done all the work and stuck their necks out. As far as spreading the word, there will be a campaign organized very soon to do just that, including but not limited to getting our local college club programs and high school programs involved if they wish to do so. We will try to target local and regional organizations that will not only help to spread the word, but hopefully benefit the local clubs. For example, we would propose contacting Ben Parkins School in the Woodlands and let them know that a)they have one of the top young fencers in the nation who will be competing against the very best here b)offer to do a fencing demonstration at his school c)encourage folks from his school to come and watch and support Ben and d)point out that it won't cost them anything (of course we wouldn't do this without getting Ben's OK first). This could help raise interest in the sport and help bring students to Ben's club. Just an example of the kind of things we can do and how it could benefit us as a whole. We will get on local sports talk shows as well and get into the local neighborhood papers. Also this will be a regional event, folks throughout the section will be involved. I've already heard from folks in West Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi etc. who want to get involved.
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Post by schlager7 on Aug 3, 2005 8:49:56 GMT -6
look forward to working with the fencing community. and we with you. Here is a copy of the press release from the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2005
DIVISION I / JUNIOR NORTH AMERICAN CUP HOUSTON – The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority has been awarded the bid for the Division I /Junior North American Cup (NAC) by the United States Fencing Association. The event will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston, January 13th – 16th, 2006.
“The North American Cup is the biggest fencing event Houston has ever hosted. The NAC will attract the elite fencers from the United States, Canada and Mexico. Along with the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority, which will serve as the local organizing committee, this will be an event with which all local clubs will be committed. ” – Marty Wysocki – Local Organizing Committee Chairman (office 713-577-2047)
“The NAC comes at the heels of the highly successful 2005 NCAA Fencing Championships and solidifies Houston as a center for great fencing,” said CEO of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority, Oliver Luck. “With the 2006 NAC and the 2005 NCAA’s in Houston, we anticipate the NAC will give the sport of fencing a tremendous boost in the area.”
What: 2006 Division I Juniors North American Cup
When: January 13th – 16th,2006
Where: George R. Brown Convention Center 3rd floor Halls F and G 1001 Ave De Las Americas PO Box 61469 Houston, TX 77010 713-853-8000
Who: The Division I/Junior NAC will attract the top men and women fencers from all areas of North America. The Junior Division is made up of men and women 19 and under. The Division I group is comprised of men and women with an A and B national letter ranking. Both the Junior and Division I competitions will include: epee, foil and saber. Current and future Olympians will be competing for their respective division titles.
Schedule: TBD
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Markus Ortiz, 832.867.1953 (work) mortiz@hchsa.org
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Post by schlager7 on Nov 7, 2005 13:52:24 GMT -6
This has been out for awhile but no one posted it here. I know a lot of fencers in the Gulf Coast Division and surrounding divisions may take advantage of the reduced distance and compete, so here is the day-to-day breakdown.
For those with fencers who could otherwise compete but usually can't handle the expense of airfare and hotels, you REALLY need to encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity.
If anyone gets word on times, please add them here.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13 Junior Men's Foil Wheelchair Men's Sabre Junior Women's Epee Wheelchair Women's Foil Div I Women's Sabre
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14 Div I Men's Epee Wheelchair Men's Foil Div I Men's Sabre Wheelchair Women's Epee Junior Women's Foil
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15 Wheelchair Men's Epee Div I Men's Foil Div I Women's Epee Junior Women's Sabre
MONDAY, JANUARY 16 Junior Men's Epee Junior Men's Sabre Div I Women's Foil
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Post by schlager7 on Nov 7, 2005 15:17:55 GMT -6
NAC DIVISION I/JUNIOR Houston, TX 1/13/2006-1/16/2006 Events: Division I Junior Wheelchair ME, MF, MS, WE, WF, WS ME, MF, MS, WE, WF, WS ME, MF, MS, WE, WF, WS Entry Deadline: December 15, 2005 Venue: George R. Brown Conv. Ctr. 1001 Avenida de las Americas Houston, TX 77010 Parking - $ Varies from Westin to one or more blocks away from Venue Hotel: HILTON AMERICAS 1600 Lamar Houston, TX 77010 Parking - $12.00 per day Reservations: Contact Tournament Housing Services (T) The Official Housing Company of US Fencing www.ths-usf.comCall: 888-536-TEAM Transportation: Rental Car: Hertz offers (Association) members special year-round discounts on your daily, weekly, weekend, and monthly rentals for business or pleasure; traveling in the U.S. or worldwide. Your Hertz CDP#26557 is the key. Call 1-800-654-2210 or visit the Hertz website at www.hertz.com when making your reservation. Then present your Hertz Member Discount Card at the time of rental. It's that easy! Click Here for Hertz US Fencing discounts. Airport: Express Shuttle (713) 523-8888 Approximately $25.00 one way Hotel approximately 20 Miles from the Airport Between Hotel and Venue: Hotel located next to Venue Note: The tournament confirmation materials contain the only official schedule. In the case of any discrepancy between the confirmation materials and the website, the schedule in the confirmation materials will prevail. Please note that the registration times, if listed, reflect the CLOSE OF CHECK-IN and that registration for each event opens one hour prior to the CLOSE OF CHECK IN time listed. Fencers must check-in within the indicated hours of registration or they will be withdrawn from the event. Fencers must register each day they are competing.
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Post by LongBlade on Dec 10, 2005 22:04:33 GMT -6
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Post by schlager7 on Dec 12, 2005 11:45:05 GMT -6
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Post by LongBlade on Dec 12, 2005 21:23:19 GMT -6
Yeah! Great!
And we'd probably even know how to avoid the marathon if the USFA would just list the time of the events and when we have to check in!
Oh, and let's talk about a website you can't access most of the time? And that is about as user friendly as your average rabid dog?
Oh, and let's all stay at the Hilton Americas, and take the shuttle from the airport at "approximately $25.00" one way! I wonder why the USFA decided to list only the MOST EXPENSIVE ways to go compete? Some of us actually pay our own way, drive in, eat at McDonald's, stay at the Motel 6, and drive back afterward!
I thought we were trying to grow the sport and make it popular to the general public. Isn't that right?
I guess I feel all warm and fuzzy now, knowing how well the USFA is growing my sport and making it more popular!
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Post by LongBlade on Dec 12, 2005 21:25:39 GMT -6
I'll be there... DESPITE the USFA!
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Post by Dan Gorman on Dec 12, 2005 21:45:04 GMT -6
Since I've been involved in the sport, fencing has more than doubled in size. Maybe even tripled. The tournaments have huge numbers of entrants and a greatly increased range of events catering to various age groups and skill levels. The US is more competetive on an international level than they have ever been before. I think the USFA is doing a d**n fine job of growing the sport.
Don't like the website -- take over the volunteer duties. Don't like the official venue -- stay somewhere else. Think people need to be aware of other options -- post them. If you can do it better, we'll all flock to your banner next time.
Dan
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