03-20-08 South Bend to again host the U.S. Olympic Women's Seftball Team on the 'Bound 4 Bejing' tour

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L .a �Elr 716 41 `, • �+ M1 = 4WD - -* - -' _"ti .Ti i �.l x— .4. 9r, +•' ! ` �' __ v � ,� '*s 0i4,.* NEWS RELEASE March 20, 2008 Contact • John Byers, Softball Commissioner, 574 282 1449 Susan O'Connor, Director of Recreation, 574.299 -4768 ext. 244 Mark Bradley, Director of Marketing, 574.299.4768 ext. 240 South Bend to Again Host the U.S. Olympic Women's Softball Team on the " "Bound 4 Beijing" Tour SOUTH BEND, Indiana — The City of South Bend, the South Bend Parks & Recreation Department, the South Bend Regional Sports Commission, and St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center will once again host the U.S. Olympic Women's Softball Team. This unprecedented third event takes place on Thursday, June I9t", 2008, at the Belleville Softball Complex. The visit is part of the " "Bound 4 Beijing" national tour, which will stop in forty -six cities across the country, in preparation for the trip to China for the 2008 Olympic Games. The U.S. Olympic Team will compete against a college all -star team, comprised of the region's top collegiate women softball players coached by Dawn Austin, and assisted by her husband Steve Austin. " "We are very excited that the Olympic Women's Softball Team is returning to South Bend for the third consecutive Olympic cycle," said South Bend Mayor Stephen J. Luecke. " "Sports I / /ustrated ranked South Bend among America's Top 50 sports cities and we trust Olympians will catch this spirit and appreciate the high quality of the Belleville Softball Complex. We are proud to host an event of this stature and provide an opportunity for local residents and young athletes to see these world -class competitors, who will face off later this year in Beijing, China." Phil St. Clair, Executive Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of South Bend, announced the event will consist of one game beginning at 7:00 p.m. (EST), Thursday, June I9t", at the Belleville Softball Complex. The Olympic Team will be available for autographs and pictures approximately 20 minutes after the game has been completed. "On behalf of the South Bend /Mishawaka Convention and Visitors Bureau and the South Bend Regional Sports Commission, I am excited to welcome the United States Olympic Women's Softball Team to South Bend," stated Gary Wheat, who serves are Executive Director of the CVB and chairs the Commission. " "The team represents the finest qualities that our country has to offer, and it is an honor to showcase their talent in our community." (more)