SportsEvents is edited for those who plan tournaments or other sports events.
Issue link: https://sportsevents.epubxp.com/i/634578
January 2016 28 www.sportseventsmagazine.com R E C O G N I T I O N I S S U E t tournament and regional competition. Joe Pickett, the U.S. Quidditch International Location Coordinator, says that since 2010, his organization has served more than 4,000 athletes on almost 200 teams nationwide. U.S. Quidditch hosts nine major tournaments, supervises regular season competition, trains and certifes referees and works to expand the sport through outreach programs at the ele- mentary, middle and high school levels. U.S. Quidditch is guided by Title 9 3/4, which gets its name from the fctional platform to get to the Hogwarts Express and the U.S. law that seeks to prevent gender discrimination in sports, Title IX. "In the Harry Potter series, quidditch teams are not sep- arated by gender, and neither are the teams in U.S. Quidditch," Pickett says. "Title 9 ¾ is an advocacy and awareness branch of USQ that ensures the policies implemented by USQ promote gender equality and inclusivity." That emphasis on gender equality, he says, is what sets his events apart from other similar competitions. "Quidditch takes those benefts a step fur- ther by promoting a sport that is truly free of gender-based restrictions, rather than evenly segregated between men and women (as it currently exists under Title IX)," he says. TOUGH MUDDER Andrew Sigal, Senior Venues Manager Brooklyn, NY 3 Years Planning Event Don't confuse a Tough Mudder event with a race or even a competition. It's a 10-12 mile obstacle course that tests strength, toughness, camaraderie and mental grit. Ultimately, it's an untimed challenge where participants work together to complete it, and that's what makes it unique, according to Andrew Sigal, the event's Senior Venues Manager. "Tough Mudder is about working together to overcome challenges, inspiring one another to push themselves, and breaking out of your comfort zone to accomplish something great- er than yourself," he says. "Our events push people to their physical and mental limits, and we've heard from countless participants that Tough Mudder has had a positive impact on their life." However, Tough Mudder's positive impact goes beyond what it's done for its participants. With the help of the more than 2 million peo- ple who have completed a Tough Mudder event since 2010, the organization has raised more than $9 million for its U.S. charity partner, Wounded Warrior Project. n 800-772-0750 www.visitefnghamil.com Now Open! SportsEvents Magazine's event profes- sionals were asked to name three wishes that would enhance their jobs. Here are some of their responses: • Reach participation cap of races • Increase frst-time runners by 10% • Successfully launch a new website • Host at least one national tournament a year • Safety for all players, spectators and staf • Recognition for staf and volunteers • Good weather • More staf • Artifcial turf to prevent rain outs • Expand indoor gym and athletic training space n 2016 Wish List Events U.S. Quidditch Cup Tough Mudder