WHEELCHAIR
BASKETBALL NATIONAL-CHAMPIONSHIPS RETURN TO BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL
BLOOMINGTON (January 28) - Bloomington-Normal will once again be the
site of a major sporting championship. From February 16-19, 2005,
the twin cities will host the National Wheelchair Basketball Association
Division III National
Championships for the second year in a row.
Twenty-four teams, a national championship record for Division III,
will compete in Bloomington-Normal, all vying for this year's national
championship title. Game Time Gym II in Bloomington will host all
of the games, which are open and free to the public. Games times are
as follows:
February 16th (12 noon -10 p.m.), February 17th (8 a.m. - 10 p.m.),
February 18th (8 a.m. - 10 p.m.) and February 19th (8 a.m. - Championship
game tip-off at 1:15 p.m.)
The defending champions, the Port City Spokesmen, will be traveling
from North Carolina for the chance at a three-peat title. Other teams
representing all areas of the country including Philadelphia, San
Diego, Phoenix, Washington D.C. and New Orleans will serve as stiff
competition for the championship.
The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) is the nation's
oldest and largest disability sport organization. Based in Colorado
Springs, Colorado, the NWBA is a non-profit organization, which serves
as the national governing body for men's, women's and youth wheelchair
basketball in the United States. Over 2000 member athletes compete
on more than 185 teams throughout the United States.
The Bloomington-Normal Sports Commission, a division of the
Bloomington-Normal Convention and Visitors Bureau, is looking for
volunteers to assist with the championship in various capacities including
running scoreboards, shot clocks, scorebooks, and other duties during
the tournament. Over 300 volunteer spots are needed during the three
days. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Amanda
Johnson (309.665.0033) at the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The economic impact of the Wheelchair Basketball National Championships
in Bloomington-Normal is expected to reach more than $200,000.
For more information regarding the event, please contact Jeff Creek
or Crystal Howard at the Convention & Visitors Bureau (309.665.0033).
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