Arizona Sports & Tourism Authority Monthly Report — September 2007 University of Phoenix Stadium Issue 72 1 Cardinals Drive Glendale, AZ 85305 Monster Truck Thunder Drags invades the Uni- (623) 433-7500 Phone (623) 433-7510 Fax versity of Phoenix Stadium www.az-sta.com The University of Phoenix Stadium roared Saturday, September 8th with In this issue the country’s most • AZSTA Chair Debbie Johnson speaks at Valley Citizens competitive trucks, League Luncheon the Monster Truck • Monster Truck Thunder Drags invades the University of Thunder Drags. The Phoenix Stadium top ten Monster • AZSTA Presence felt at Goodyear Ballpark and Recreational Trucks were in atten- Sports Complex Groundbreaking dance, including the • Four Valley Youth Sport Programs receive a total of $8,161 original monster from AZSTA truck, Big Foot, and • Arizona Babies and Children’s Expo held at University of its inventor, Bob Chandler. Phoenix Stadium Doors opened early for this event for an autograph • Video Football Challenge draws gamers to University of and photo session. Fans were able to take photos of their fa- Phoenix Stadium vorite drivers and their trucks. The show started just after 7 • Cardinals September Home Games p.m., as fans were able to watch the trucks battle it out on a • September 2007 Monthly Financial Overview specially-designed course featuring crushed cars and ground pounding jumps. Drivers competed in both straight-line and freestyle competition. This is the second time the Monster AZSTA Chair Debbie Johnson speaks at Valley Truck Show was held at the University of Phoenix Stadium. Citizens League Luncheon AZSTA Chair Debbie Johnson spoke on AZSTA’s The set-up for the Mon- ster Truck event took economic impacts at the Valley Citizens League (VCL) three days, here a semi- Luncheon on Tuesday, September 11th. truck covers the first The luncheon, themed “Sports in Arizona”, was layer of hay with dirt on held at ASU’s Downtown location in Phoenix. Johnson dis- the Monster Truck cussed AZSTA’s positive economic impact and was able to course attribute results of the impact on hotel and tourism based on her current position as President and CEO of the Valley Ho- tel and Resort Association and the Arizona Hotel and Lodg- AZSTA Presence felt at Goodyear Ballpark and ing Association. John Junker, President and CEO of the Fi- Recreational Sports Complex Groundbreaking esta Bowl and Insight Bowl also spoke at the event. The VCL is a non-partisan-non profit group that The City of Goodyear and the Cleveland Indians engages decision makers and citizens to explore current pub- hosted the groundbreaking for the Goodyear Ballpark and lic policy issues. VCL membership is open to anyone and Recreational Sports Complex on Monday, September 17. includes mind-opening luncheon series, which explore is- More than 350 in attendance witnessed the first pitch, sues. thrown by baseball hall-of-famer and former Cleveland Indi- ans pitcher, Bob Feller. In attendance were those responsible for the funding and the development of the facility, includ- ing; The Wood Family (the owner of the land), the City of Goodyear, the Cleveland Indi- ans, AZSTA, JMI Sports, and Rose From left to right: Richard de Uriarte, Editorial Writer for the Properties South- More than 350 in attendance watched baseball AZ Republic (moderator), President and CEO of the Fiesta and west. hall-of-famer and former Cleveland Indians Insight Bowl John Junker and AZSTA Chair Debbie Johnson pitcher Bob Feller throw the first pitch Monthly Report — September 2007 Page 2 Issue 72 With Over 1,500 Boys and Girls Club members utilize the commu- AZSTA’s commit- nity center each year. Over 5,000 individuals utilize the fit- ment to fund 50 per- ness room, including the Association of Retarded Citizens cent of the cost of the which holds fitness classes throughout the year. complex, AZSTA was included as a dignitary. AZSTA With the assistance of Chair Debbie John- AZSTA’s quick grant son spoke on behalf program, The Westside Multigenerational Cen- of AZSTA to thank ter will update exercise all parties involved. equipment for public use Johnson informed the crowd that when the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers complete their relocations from Flor- ida, the total economic impact of the Cactus League in Maricopa County will approach $400 million. The Thunderbird Little League received $2,475 to The Cleveland Indians’ will house their Spring Train- assist in the baseball field renovation project at the Sunburst ing operation and player development facility in Goodyear be- Elementary School. The league has been operating for 35 ginning in the Summer of 2008 when the Indians’ clubhouse and years in the Northwest Valley; serving youth ages 5-16. practice fields are completed. The Indians’ year-round portion There are approximately 150 kids in the league who utilize of the practice field area will consist of their Clubhouse, two the field during the season. The upgrading of the fields con- major practice fields, 1 half field, and batting practice areas. sists of replacing the sprinkler system, new sod and stabiliz- The remaining four major practice fields will be for the use of ers as well as a rebuilding of the pitchers mound. Players in Goodyear residents, except during the two months of Spring the league, as well as the children that attend the Sunburst Training, beginning 2009. The City also expects to use both the Elementary School, will be safer with the renovations. ballpark and practice field area for special events throughout the The Fountain Hills Soccer Club received $1,293 to year. assist in the purchase of new soccer equipment. The club The ballpark itself will be the centerpiece of Ballpark serves approximately 400 youth soccer players in the town of Village, an innovative mixed-use development of office, retail, Fountain Hills, and is for all skill levels, from beginner to housing and hospitality being developed just southwest of advanced. The club’s goal has been to give the players the Goodyear’s future opportunity to City Center. develop a variety of soccer skills From left to right: while fostering AZSTA Board Mem- character devel- ber Brad Wright, AZSTA Chair Debbie opment in an Johnson, AZSTA environment that Board Member Jerry is empowering Walker and AZSTA and fun. By as- President & CEO Ted Ferris sisting with the purchase of equipment, it will Players from the Fountain Hills Soccer club Four Valley Youth Sport Programs receive a total help keep the will benefit from AZSTA’s quick grant program with new soccer equipment of $8,161 from AZSTA registration fees at a minimum. The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZSTA) The Scottsdale YMCA received $2,343 to assist in has awarded $8,161 to four valley youth sport programs for new the purchase of sports equipment for their Midnight Madness equipment, uniforms and renovations. program. The program has been running for over 20 years The City of Tempe’s Westside Multigenerational Cen- and currently serves over 100 children and their parents each ter (WMC) received $2,050 to replace broken and unusable fit- night of the program. The program is currently held at the Black Mountain Elementary School and runs every Friday ness equipment. The WMC is one of the City of Tempe’s five th th community centers. Members of the city who do not have the night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for any 6 -8 graders and their financial resources to access a traditional fitness facility that parents or guardians. This program provides a safe, healthy charges a fee to use, can access the WMC. At the WMC, the alternative weekend event that encourages activity and posi- community has full access to treadmills, stationary bikes, free tive teen and adult relationships. weights, a rowing machine, and bench press free of charge. Monthly Report — September 2007 Page 3 Issue 72 AZSTA is a Municipal Corporation dedicated to en- card and a $10,000 hancing Maricopa County’s economy and community’s quality check. of life. AZSTA gave these awards under its Quick Grant pro- Glendale was gram, a program which accepts funding applications on a year- the tournaments third round basis for smaller projects and programs requesting a stop on its 17-regional maximum of $2,500. AZSTA sets aside 5 percent of its annual qualifying event, but Youth & Amateur Sports funding per Arizona Revised Statutes there are also tourna- for this program and awards the funds on a first-come, first- ments abroad, in Mex- served basis providing that the program’s criteria are met. ico, Toronto and Lon- Grants are based on a completed Quick Grant Program Funding don. Application and project budget template and the stated need to serve youth and amateur sports, demonstration of financial need Last attempt wasn’t enough for Seahawks as Car- and the benefit to a local community. dinals walk away with victory Arizona Babies and Children’s Expo held at Uni- The result of a versity of Phoenix Stadium Seahawk’s missed field goal was a 23-20 Cardi- The University of nals victory on Sunday, Phoenix Stadium was September 16th. The packed with families of all game started at 1:05 p.m. sizes and ages; from moms as a sell-out crowd of to be to families with teen- 64,542 watched the Car- agers on Saturday, Septem- dinals start off strong ber 22nd and Sunday, Sep- with a 17-0 lead. The tember 23rd. Over the Seahawks gained control two-day event there were 2,449 in attendance who were able to in the third quarter, tying watch the live shows, participate in creative play areas and the the game 17 all.