For more information contact: Lisa Marshall, 608/267-3773
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WISCONSIN: A MECCA FOR SPORTING EVENTS
Wisconsin's Vast Collection of Facilities Cater to Events of All Sizes
MADISON, Wis. - From world championships and major all-star games to collegiate championships and youth tournaments, Wisconsin has played host to an impressive array of sporting events. Numerous facilities around the state are available for events and tournaments of every size and kind. Here is a sampling of some of Wisconsin's premier venues.
Milwaukee
Home of the Milwaukee Bucks, the Marquette men's basketball team, the Milwaukee Admirals American Hockey League team and the 2006 NCAA Hockey Frozen Four, the Bradley Center (414/227-0400; www.bradleycenter.com) is a multi-purpose, public assembly facility located in Milwaukee's downtown. In addition to major sporting events, the venue also regularly hosts an assortment of live entertainment and concerts.
An unparalleled arena for sporting and entertainment events and assemblies since 1950, the US Cellular Arena (414/908-6084; www.uscellulararena.com) has gained fame for its unparalleled fan intensity and Pop Art basketball floor. A major renovation to the 12,700-seat arena readied the building for the 21st century with new technology and enhanced accommodations for both patrons and productions, while retaining its fervor-inducing geometry and super-strong, ready-to-rig ceiling.
Reflecting the architectural heritage of the city and Wisconsin, Miller Park (414/902-4400; www.milwaukeebrewers.com) is the state-of-the-art home of the Milwaukee Brewers. The only ballpark in North America that boasts a fan-shaped, convertible roof and a natural grass playing field, Miller Park has hosted the 2002 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the 55th Miller High Life Masters Bowling Championship, numerous collegiate and high school baseball games and several concerts.
One of just two facilities of its kind in the United States, the Pettit National Ice Center (414/266-0100; www.thepettit.com) features an enclosed 400-meter speed skating oval and two international sized ice rinks for hockey, figure skating and short track speed skating. A U.S. Olympic Training facility, the Pettit has hosted such events as the National Short and Long Track Speed Skating Championships, the World Sprint Speed skating Championships and the U.S. Olympic Speed skating Time Trials.
On the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) campus, the Klotsche Center (414/229-5287) can hold as many as 5,000 spectators for a sporting event. The Klotsche Center is used as a practice facility for most of UWM's varsity sports and serves as the home court for UWM volleyball and women's basketball. The facility also boasts a four-lane indoor track and a 25-yard swimming pool.
The home training facility for Wisconsin-born Olympic gold medalist Paul Hamm, the Swiss Turners Gymnasium (414/321-4340; www.swissturners.com) in West Allis, is a recently renovated, 12,000-square-foot facility with state-of-the-art equipment. The Gymnasium has hosted local, state and regional competitions.
Both NASCAR and IRL racing fans have delighted in the furious on-track action at The Milwaukee Mile (414/453-5761; www.milwaukeemile.com), the oldest operating speedway in the world. The Mile has hosted a variety of events from turn-of-the-century "speed contests" and 24-hour endurance races to AAA and USAC-sanctioned Indy car and Stock Car events, to NASCAR Busch Series competition.
Madison area
Multiple sporting arenas and venues can be found on the University of Wisconsin campus, namely the Kohl Center (608/263-5645; www.uwbadgers.com) and Camp Randall Stadium & Field House (608/262-1866; www.uwbadgers.com). Opened in 1998, the Kohl Center is the home for the UW basketball and hockey teams, seating 17,190 for basketball, 15,237 for hockey and between 15,000 and 17,000 for concerts. Among the nation's largest school-owned stadiums, Camp Randall is the home of the Wisconsin football team. The 80,321-seat stadium underwent a major renovation completed in September 2005. Additional UW sports facilities include Nielsen Tennis Stadium, UW Field House, McClimon Track/Soccer Complex, University Ridge Golf Course, Goodman Diamond , Natatorium & SERF, Porter Boathouse and the Shell Facility
Located at the gateway to downtown Madison, the Alliant Energy Center (608/267-3991; www.alliantenergycenter.com) is a 164-acre campus which includes the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Willow Island, on-site parking, award-winning catering and an attached hotel. The Coliseum comfortably sits 3,000 - 10,000 and can accommodate versatile surfaces including carpet, ice, dirt, astro-turf, a basketball court and staging for theater. Featuring 29 acres of green space in a park setting with a nine-acre isthmus and two large ponds, Willow Island was the recent home of the 2004 ESPN Great Outdoor Games.
One of Wisconsin's premier indoor sports complexes, KEVA Sports Center (608/662-7529) is an 110,000-square-feet indoor/outdoor complex with wood suspended floors for volleyball and basketball. The facility features 10 different sports and is home to the Middleton Yahara Soccer Club and Lacrosse America. KEVA Sports Center has two full indoor soccer fields, 11 volleyball courts and seven basketball courts and has hosted several sports competitions, including volleyball for the Badger State Games.
Reddan Soccer Park (608/276-9030; www.maysa.com), Wisconsin's largest soccer-specific facility, is operated by the Madison Area Youth Soccer Association. Its 15-field, 60-acre parcel plays host to about a dozen tournaments each year, attracting about 1,200 teams and 20,000 players.
Green Bay
The site for numerous historic gridiron classics featuring Wisconsin's beloved Green Bay Packers, the 72,601-seat Lambeau Field (920/569-7500; www.packers.com/lambeau_field/) has established itself as a premier year-round destination. Following a $295 million stadium renovation, Lambeau has retained its traditional football stadium aura while expanding its entertainment uses which includes the community-based entertainment attraction, the Lambeau Field Atrium - home to the Packers Hall of Fame. In addition to professional football, the stadium has hosted collegiate hockey and snowmobile races among other events.
Hosting an estimated 1.2 million people annually, the Resch Center (920/405-1239; www.pmiwi.com/venues/resch/resch.php) has been a popular entertainment option in Northeastern Wisconsin since opening in September 2002. The Resch Center has 6,500 permanent seats with the potential for more than 8,000 with risers for basketball and more than 10,000 for a concert. Used for a diverse collection of activities including concerts, sporting events and family shows, the Brown County Arena (920-405-1134; www.pmiwi.com) has been a popular choice among vendors seeking flexibility and cost effective alternatives.
Used for a diverse collection of activities including concerts, sporting events and family shows, the Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena (920-405-1134; www.pmiwi.com) has been a popular choice among vendors seeking flexibility and cost-effective alternatives. A top choice for more than 40 years, the venue has a capacity of about 6,000 people.
Located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, the Kress Events Center (920/465-2449; http://www.uwgb.edu/kress/) is home to the university's women's basketball and volleyball teams and is the practice facility for the men's basketball team. Currently undergoing a $32 million expansion and renovation, the new-and-improved center will include an indoor turf gym, state-of-the-art cardiovascular and weight training facilities, new locker rooms and athletics offices as well as facilities for running, racquet sports and swimming pools.
Wisconsin Rapids
The Wisconsin Rapids area caters to an assortment of athletic events thanks to its diverse collection of venues. A multi-sport facility with configurations for basketball, dance, gymnastics, track, volleyball and wrestling tournaments, the Lincoln High School Fieldhouse (715/423-1520) includes electric scoreboards, a cafeteria, available concessions and seating capacity for 2,000 to 3,000, depending upon configurations.
Located in the heart of Wisconsin, Witter Field (715/421-8240) is the former home to three minor league baseball franchises including the Chicago White Sox of the Class D Wisconsin State League, the Washington Senators (Texas Rangers), and Minnesota Twins of the Class A Midwest League. The field has concession areas and locker rooms as well as a skatepark, ice arena and lighted tennis courts. Witter Field annually hosts local, regional and national tournaments.
Catering to outdoor track and field competitions and football, the South Wood County 2000 Complex (715/423-1520) features a 10 lane track, football field, electronic timing, scoreboard and concessions. For indoor winter Olympic sports, the 2,000-seat, South Wood County Recreation Center (715/421-3311) includes a 85-foot by 2,000-foot ice rink for hockey, figure skating, curling and recreational ice skating with locker rooms and a concession area.
LaCrosse/Tomah
Professional basketball teams, boxing, indoor football, gymnastics, wrestling, dog shows, rodeos and BMX events are among those that have been held at the LaCrosse Center (608/789-7432). The 8,000-seat arena has a portable hardwood basketball floor and more than 100,000 square feet of floor space.
For baseball, the Copeland Baseball Park (608/796-9553; www.lacrosseloggers.com) has a well kept grass infield and seating capacity for 3,550 spectators. And for soccer tournaments, the LaCrosse Soccer Fields for Kids (608/787-0667) is equipped with 14 competitive fields, an electronic scoreboard, concessions, public address system, registration area and lighting.
The University of Wisconsin - La Crosse (608/785-8000; www.uwlax.edu) has a multitude of facilities including track and field, basketball, wrestling and gymnastics. The university annually hosts the WIAA Track & Field Championships.
The Tomah Recreation Park (608/372-2166) consists of three buildings which feature more than 51,000 square feet of space suitable for many sports competitions and events. The Park has been home to the Wisconsin Good Sam Camping Club Annual Samboree since 2003 and has hosted other sporting competitions such as the American Kennel Club Association National Coonhound Event, Tomah Youth Hockey Association tournaments, Super National Truck & Tractor Pull, and Archery Club Events.
Sheboygan/Elkhart Lake
Recognized as one of the best road-racing circuits in America, Sheboygan's Road America (1-800-365-7223; www.roadamerica.com) annually hosts the world's top auto and motorcycle drivers. The four-mile, 14-turn track has been home to everything from private club events to international racing series competitions. Renowned for its famed golf courses, Sheboygan has a collection of facilities able to host everything from championship events to amateur tournaments.
Renowned for its famed golf courses, Sheboygan has a collection of facilities able to host everything from amateur tournaments to championship events. Home to the 2004 PGA Championship and the 2007 U.S. Senior Open, The Straits Course at Whistling Straits (920/565-6050; www.destinationkohler.com/ws/ws.html) annually ranks among America's Top 100 courses. Both the Straits Course and the Irish Course at Whistling Straits are part of the American Club complex in Kohler, which includes two other Pete Dye tracks - the River and Meadow Valley courses at Blackwolf Run (1-886-847-5856; www.destinationkohler.com/bwr/bwr.html) which were the site of the 1998 U.S. Women's Open.
A Jack Nicklaus signature 18-hole course, The Bull (920/467-1500; www.golfthebull.com/) offers challenging, scenic golf and a state-of-the-art practice facility. Combining the best features of Scottish and Florida courses, Fox Hills Resort (1-800-950-7615; www.fox-hills.com) in Mishicot has hosted the NGA Hooters Pro Golf Tour at its National Championship Links course. For amateur and prep events, the 27-hole Town and Country (920/467-2509; www.townandcountrygolf.com) and Quit Qui Oc Golf Club (920/876-2833; www.quitquioc.com) are ideal venues.
Beloit/Janesville
Home of the 2005 Team World Horseshoe Tournament, The Beloit Horseshoe Club (608/879-2304) has 13 outdoor and six indoor horseshoe courts and concession areas available on-site.
Beloit College (608/363-2000; www.beloit.edu) has a plethora of sporting facilities for any type of sporting activity. The 2,250-seat Flood Arena has three basketball and six volleyball courts and versatile space able to accommodate a variety of events including martial arts and fencing tournaments. Additionally, Beloit College's Strong Stadium (608/363-2238) has seating capacity for 3,000 and boasts a football stadium, two soccer fields, a softball diamond and a baseball diamond, as well as track and field facilities.
The Stateline Youth Sports Complex (608/365-2261) is Beloit's largest and newest sports complex. The complex has four baseball and eight softball diamonds, six football and soccer fields, as well as concession facilities and locker rooms on site.
Home of the Midwest League's Beloit Snappers, Pohlman Field (608/362-2272; www.snappersbaseball.com) has hosted professional baseball in addition to amateur and collegiate clubs in its 3,501-seat facility.
The Janesville Ice Skating Center (608/755-3030) annually hosts hockey tournaments and figure skating competitions. The skating center includes an 85-foot by 200-foot sheet of ice, locker rooms, restrooms and concession areas.
The Pat Dawson Softball Field Complex (608/755-3030) has hosted both national and regional softball tournaments for youth and adults. The complex features four softball diamonds with lights, a scorer's booth and concessions.
Appleton/Fox Cities/Fond du Lac
Fox Cities Stadium (920/733-4152) is a 5,500-seat baseball stadium that is home to the Class A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. The stadium hosts several special events each year including the NCAA Division III Baseball Championships, WIAA State Baseball Tournament, and The Brett Favre Celebrity Softball Game.
The USA Youth Sports Complex (920/882-2090) has hosted Little League state tournaments, the Babe Ruth Ohio Valley Regional and was home to the 2006 U.S. Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championship. The complex has two Babe Ruth baseball fields, two Little League baseball fields and 14 soccer fields. The USA Youth Sports Complex recently landed another major national event, the 2009 Babe Ruth League 14-year-old World Series. Preparations are already under way for the 10-team tourney that will take place Aug. 22-29, 2009.
Located on the scenic Fox River, Sunset Park (920/788-7507) has two lighted softball fields and a lighted baseball field. Sunset Park has hosted numerous Legion State Baseball tournaments and ASA State Softball tournaments including the ISC World Tournament and the 2006 NAFA Fastpitch World Series.
Wisconsin Dells/Portage
JustAgame Fieldhouse (608/254-4919; www.justagamefieldhouse.com) is Wisconsin Dells' premier sports venue. The venue is ideally suited for basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and wrestling with 29,000 square feet of gym space and seating capacity for 800.
The Poppy Waterman Ice Arena (608/253-8339; www.dellsblades.com) has hosted several youth hockey tournaments and figure skating competitions. The arena is able to accommodate 500 spectators.
The partially opened Wisconsin Dells Center sports complex (608/254-8366; www.chulavistaresport.com) at Chula Vista Resort will be the Midwest's largest sporting and expo complex when it is completed. Set to open fully in 2008, the indoor, 90,000-square-foot sports dome will include space for many sporting events, including basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, indoor track and wrestling. The complex will feature space for up to 5,000 attendees and include a 13,000 square foot pre-function area for concessions.
Cascade Mountain (1-800-992-2SKI; www.cascademountain.com) in Portage has five terrain parks, more than 15 rails and jibs and five to10 jumps that are available for both skiers and snowboarders to enjoy.
Offering over 100,000 square feet of space, Kalahari Resort's Convention Center (608-254-3314; www.kalahariresorts.com) has hosted major national billiards tournaments, among other sports-related events. Dells Raceway Park (608/253-RACE (7223); www.dellsracewaypark.com), a one-third mile asphalt track, offers fans five classes of short-track stock car racing throughout the summer.
Stevens Point
Host to more than 50 state and more than 25 national and regional ASA Softball Tournaments (including the ASA Great Lakes Tournament and Northern and Midwest National Tournaments), Zenoff Park (715/346-1531; www.ci.stevens-point.wi.us) is a great venue for softball. The park spans 16 acres and features three, lighted softball diamonds, a picnic area and pavilion and seating for approximately 3,000 spectators.
The 17,000-square-foot K.B. Willett Arena (715/346-1576) and 41,000-square-foot Ice Hawks Arena (715/345-2854) have each played host to numerous skating and ice hockey competitions. Among the major events include the NCAA III National Ice Hockey Quarter and National Finals, the Badger State Games Ice Hockey and Figure Skating along with numerous local and statewide hockey and skating competitions.
Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls
Surrounded by Half Moon Lake, Carson Park (715/839-5032) includes a baseball field with grandstand, softball fields and a football field with artificial turf. Carson Park has been the starting point for many Milwaukee Braves and baseball icons, including Hank Aaron, Wes Covington, Andy Pafko, Joe Torre and even Mr. Baseball himself, Bob Uecker.
Located in the heart of Eau Claire, Hobbs Municipal Ice Center (715/839-5040; www.ci.eau-claire.wi.us) has two indoor ice rinks as well as an outdoor rink. The ice center hosts local hockey teams including the UW-Eau Claire, Memorial High School and North High School teams and the local youth hockey association and figure skating club.
Located in Chippewa Falls, Casper Park (715/723-0051) includes the Casper Park Softball Complex with four lighted fields, the lighted Gannon baseball field and a soccer complex. The complex hosts several regional sporting events.
The Chippewa Valley area has also successfully hosted a variety of outdoor competitions including the ESPN BASS Elite 50 pro fishing tournament, The Stihl Timbersports Championships and an annual Wisconsin Off Road Series (WORS) mountain bike race.
Kenosha/Pleasant Prairie
On the shores of scenic Lake Andrea in Prairie Springs Park, the Pleasant Prairie IcePlex (262/925-6755. www.IcePlexOnline.com) features two, official NHL-size ice rinks and offers state-of-the-art amenities, concessions, party rooms and more. The venue has hosted numerous hockey tournaments, figure skating competitions and special events year round.
Southeastern Wisconsin's largest indoor recreation facility, the LakeView RecPlex (262/947-0437. www.RecPlexOnline.com) includes a spacious Fieldhouse, an Aquatics Center, Fitness Center and much more. The center's recent 40,000 square foot expansion added enhanced workout areas, additional classrooms, racquetball courts, party room and the new Kid's Court. The LakeView RecPlex (and surrounding Prairie Springs Park) is a premier destination for sporting events, hosting everything from the Danskin Women's Triathlon and Pleasant Prairie Triathlon to basketball, soccer and martial arts among other sports.
For a complete listing of athletic facilities throughout Wisconsin, visit www.sportswisconsin.com.
About the Wisconsin Department of Tourism
The Wisconsin Department of Tourism is charged by the Governor and the Legislature with promoting travel in the state. The Department provides leadership and guidance to the state's travel and hospitality industry to ensure that tourism is a top contributor to the state's economy and quality of life. Tourism is one of Wisconsin's top three industries.
About the Wisconsin Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus
The Wisconsin Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (WACVB) initiates and administers cooperative ventures among Wisconsin's top destination marketing organizations to enhance Wisconsin's tourism industry's promotional, educational and legislative efforts. WACVB currently has 26 full members and five associate members, representing more than $25 million in tourism promotional budgets to drive tourism growth in Wisconsin. For more information, contact Julia Hertel at 1-877-9674-9674 or info@thinkwisconsin.com.
About the Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation
Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation is a nonprofit sports management organization that helps develop sports tourism in Wisconsin and promotes positive lifestyles and physical fitness through amateur athletic events and health education programs.
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