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Sport Oregon 4/24/24 Sport Oregon 4/24/24

Increase in Pickleball Popularity Brings Additional Recreation Options, Economic Impact to Oregon – Sport Oregon Voices

The development of new pickleball facilities takes off as interest in recreational activity continues to rise

In recent years, the popularity of pickleball has exploded across the country, particularly here in the Pacific Northwest. But with the increased popularity of the once little-known recreational activity comes increasing demand for places to play the sport. In many cases, there are simply not enough courts available to accommodate all the people who want to play.

To help satisfy the growing need for more courts, dedicated facilities and repurposed courts seem to be cropping up all over Oregon. This is terrific news for fans of the sport, which carries broad appeal to people of all ages, abilities and socioeconomical backgrounds.

In the Eugene-Springfield area, for example, plans are in place to build the state’s largest pickleball facility. Groundbreaking is slated for May 2025 on the new 24-court Regional Pickleball Complex, which will be located on the campus of Lane Community College in Eugene. Current plans call for the complex to open in the fall of 2025.

The Eugene Pickleball Foundation is taking the lead on raising the necessary funds to build the state-of-the-art complex, which will be funded jointly by public and private funds. Travel Lane County, whose mission is to grow overnight visitors for a vibrant, year-round economy across the entire county, has invested $50,000 towards the project through its foundation as the first founding partner of the project, backing its firm belief that the new pickleball facility will draw thousands of players and spectators while generating millions of dollars for the local economy.

J.B. Carney, the senior director for sports with Travel Lane County, sees many benefits to the planned facility. In addition to meeting the increased demand for pickleball courts in the Eugene-Springfield area, he says the complex is expected to generate $1-$1.5 million annually in economic impact for the area in the immediate term after opening, and grow to generate more than $3 million annually once it’s more established.

“From an economic impact standpoint, alone, it’s going to be a great facility for our community,” Carney said. “It also provides great community benefits to all residents of the area.”

Plans call for 10 of the 24 courts to be covered, allowing for continuous play even when the Northwest weather plays havoc with traditional outdoor sports. Carney says that the complex is a great complement to the world-class facilities at the University of Oregon and has extra appeal in that it gives the area a popular new attraction during the shoulder season while also providing local residents a place to play pickleball.

The complex will host tournaments and is expected to attract larger regional and national tournaments that will have a sizeable impact on the area economy in the form of overnight stays, retail spending and meals at local restaurants.

Those interested in contributing to the Eugene Pickleball Foundation’s fundraising efforts for the project can find out more information here.

Over in Troutdale, the largest indoor pickleball facility in the state is hoping to be ready to open this summer. Local investors are busy putting finishing touches on the East County Pickleball Courts that will include 12 indoor courts for community use.

Of course, there have been some great new pickleball options become available recently in the Portland area, including The People’s Courts, a 48,000 square-foot venue that opened last year and features a mix of several indoor and outdoor pickleball courts as well as bocce, cornhole, ping pong, disc golf and arcade games.

Jumbo’s Pickleball opened in Beaverton earlier this year and features nine indoor courts. RECS in Clackamas, which celebrated its two-year anniversary in March, also features nine indoor pickleball courts for year-round use.

Additionally, there are numerous cases of city parks in the state that have either converted existing courts to pickleball or added new facilities to help satisfy demand for the sport.

In Central Oregon, Bend’s Pine Nursery Park now has 16 outdoor pickleball courts that are bustling with activity the entire year. There’s also great pickleball options in Corvallis and Albany. Columbia Park and Annex is a popular outdoor pickleball attraction in Portland.

In addition to all the public and private-business facilities, it’s not entirely rare to see backyard courts popping up in neighborhoods across the state, too.

This is all just a sampling of what Oregon cities – big and small – now have to offer pickleball enthusiasts, so it’s an exciting time for an increasingly popular form of recreation in a state that prides itself on staying active.

Sport Oregon 4/18/24 Sport Oregon 4/18/24

Sport Oregon CEO Jim Etzel Named Executive of the Year by Portland Business Journal

Transformative leader honored as one of the city’s best and brightest C-Suite executives for his efforts to drive positive social and economic impact through sport.

(PORTLAND, OR) — Sport Oregon Chief Executive Officer Jim Etzel has been named one of Portland’s Executives of the Year by the Portland Business Journal, it was announced today. The city’s best and brightest C-Suite executives were recognized at a luncheon at the historic Sentinel hotel in downtown Portland.

The Portland Business Journal honored eight categories of executives including CEO, CFO, CXO, President, Executive Director, Social Impact, and Executive Director, Association. Selections were based on critical strategy, guidance and management leading to exceptional performance during the 2023 calendar year as decided by a panel of outside judges. That could include dramatic revenue growth, global expansion, key strategic direction shifts, transformative acquisitions, major strategic fundraising rounds setting the company up for future growth, or other events leading to the transformation and outperformance of the organization.

Etzel’s Impact
Jim Etzel was named the CEO of Sport Oregon on Jan. 1, 2018, quickly catapulting the 32-year-old organization into an influential and nationally-respected 501c6 member organization. A Portland native with deep Oregon roots, Etzel has more than 30 years of diverse leadership experience in sports, live events, marketing, brand experiences and management. Etzel, a University of Portland graduate, has a proven track record of cultivating meaningful and fruitful partnerships, and securing major-league business as a result.

Etzel has developed Sport Oregon into a trusted organization that is sought out by elected leaders and the private and public sector. He has turned Sport Oregon into the role of a “convener” in the regional sports marketplace. His strong relationships with Oregon franchises, universities, venues and hospitality partners – along with a formidable and engaged board of directors – offers Sport Oregon the opportunity to bring individuals and organizations together for frank conversations, connections and projects, all with a focus on driving positive social and economic impact through sport.

“In addition to locking in major wins over the last year – including securing the NCAA Women’s Final Four in 2030 – Jim has spent his first years as CEO of Sport Oregon raising and meeting the expectations of what an expanded sports commission could do for the Portland and Oregon markets,” said Megan Conway, chief strategy officer for Travel Portland. “Jim’s passion, commitment, creativity and collaborative spirit are critical to Portland’s success and the economic engine that is sports in this region.”

In just over six years at Sport Oregon, Etzel has indelibly changed the dynamic and scope of the organization’s work, stewarding a new era of success and influence for the state’s leading sports advocate. From the start, Etzel began to focus the organization by engaging and activating the abundance of young talent and learned leadership within Portland’s thriving athletic and outdoor industry – along with public and private leadership – to create a cutting-edge brand representation of Oregon that delivers local relevance and positions the organization as a leader among its national peers.

Importantly, Etzel has positioned Sport Oregon – the state’s non-profit sports economic development conduit – as a critical catalyst for recovery and future economic growth. Through his work at Sport Oregon, Etzel and the organization have instilled a dynamic, ambitious and nimble approach to attracting new and broad-based events to Oregon, promoting community-wide involvement and working tirelessly to harness the power of sport for the state’s overall benefit and enhanced quality of life.

Sports Tourism
During Etzel’s tenure as the organization’s CEO, Sport Oregon has leveraged its standing as the state’s leading sports connector to attract a rising number of significant events to the state of Oregon. Through a growing network of meaningful partnerships and relationships, Sport Oregon has played an important role in securing a host of marquee events for the state, including the 2030 NCAA Women’s Final Four and IRONMAN 70.3 Oregon, and in a support role for events that put Oregon on the world stage, like the World Athletics Championships Oregon 22.

Sport Oregon also has played a critical role in the revitalization of a once-underutilized sporting asset in the city – Portland International Raceway. Through its partnership with Green Savoree Racing Promotions, Sport Oregon has helped PIR become the only track in the world to host three major circuit races, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series, INDYCAR and Formula E.

Foundation
Under Etzel’s leadership, the organization has established a highly successful flagship initiative from the ground up. Launched in 2022, the organization’s SHE FLIES initiative has blossomed into an enterprising and impactful program that has engaged community partners, Sport Oregon members, corporate partners and community donors like no other in the organization’s history. With a mission of keeping girls in the game, empowering women’s coaches and promoting fitness for life, SHE FLIES continues to grow and expand its important work to connect girls and women to sports participation and communities in Oregon. SHE FLIES also serves as a critical funding resource for many like-minded organizations already doing great work in the community, as the initiative increased its Community Grant program in 2023 by awarding $125,000 in grants to eight deserving organizations, thanks largely to the generous support of Alaska Airlines.

Notable Progress
Since 2018, Sport Oregon has realized exponential growth in all phases of its operation, more than doubling its annual revenue as a result. In addition to a complete rebrand of the organization and the development of new offices near Providence Park, Sport Oregon has doubled the size of its board of directors, tripled the size of its staff and developed the organization’s first fundraising programs. Additionally, the organization has built its young professionals board to more than 40 members and greatly enhanced its impact and influence statewide through the development of its external affairs team.

As a result of its work, Sport Oregon was honored by Travel Portland as the recipient of the prestigious 2022 Portland Award, which recognizes the greatest overall contribution to Portland’s visitor industry.

Beyond Sport Oregon
Prior to joining Sport Oregon, Etzel was the founder and CEO of the ETZEL Agency, a national brand experience and live event agency originally established as SportsOne. Over his 23 years with the ETZEL Agency, he managed all facets of the agency and built a national reputation with an expansive roster of top-level clients, including the College Football Playoff (CFP), ESPN, Nike, adidas, Major League Soccer, USA Today/Gannett, Sodexo and TrackTown USA among others.

Etzel is a University of Portland Pamplin School of Business Significant Seventy-Five esteemed alumni honoree and is on its dean’s leadership council. He serves as a Port of Portland International Air Service Executive Committee member and sits on the board of directors for Travel Portland and the Portland Metro Chamber as well as the leadership councils for Partners in Diversity and the Positive Coaching Alliance.

Personal
Jim and his wife, Carmen, reside in Portland with their dog, Sporty. They enjoy an active Oregon lifestyle, including working out, hiking, golfing, skiing and attending sporting and community events.

Sport Oregon 4/9/24 Sport Oregon 4/9/24

Top High School Basketball Talent On Display This Weekend During Annual Nike Hoop Summit, Northwest Shootout — Sport Oregon Voices

Annual high school all-star events to take place Saturday and Sunday while celebrating milestone anniversaries

Area basketball fans are in for a treat this weekend, as the Nike Hoop Summit takes place at Moda Center on Saturday, April 13, and the Northwest Shootout is played at Portland Community College (Cascade Campus gym) on Sunday, April 14. Both of the annual events feature many of the top boys and girls high school basketball players, and both are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year.

The Nike Hoop Summit once again pits the top boys and girls high school seniors in the United States against the best players from around the world age 19 and younger. The girls game is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. tip at Moda Center, while the 25th anniversary of the boys game will tip off at 7 p.m.

2024 Nike Hoop Summit Tickets

The Northwest Shootout, which marks its 30th anniversary this year, annually features the best Oregon and Washington boys and girls senior basketball players with state bragging rights on the line. This year, the games will be played at Portland Community College. The girls game is slated for 1 p.m., while the boys game is scheduled for 3 p.m.

2024 Northwest Shootout Tickets

Any way you look it, it’s a bonanza of top-level prep talent on display in Portland on Saturday and Sunday.

“Portland is going to be the center of high school basketball this weekend, not only locally and regionally, but nationally and globally,” said Clark Chen, founder of the apparel company Shirts & Skins and the event director of this year’s Northwest Shootout.

The Nike Hoop Summit has a long history of bringing soon-to-be NBA stars to Portland, including six NBA MVPs and 38 NBA All-Stars. The list of players to play in the annual boys game to go on to have standout professional careers is long and distinguished, including eventual NBA MVPs Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. The game also has featured notable players like Zion Williamson, Ben Simmons, Kyrie Irving and top local talents like Kevin Love, Payton Pritchard and Jackson Shelstad, who played in last year’s game.

John McCallum, founder and president of Prime Time Sports, has been involved with the Nike Hoop Summit since it came to Portland. His company promotes the all-star event in partnership with Nike and USA Basketball, and says Portland fans are in for a treat once again.

“It’s very exciting to be celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, and to host the top players in the world once again,” said McCallum.

The event has grown into a who’s-who of the next generation of top college basketball players and future NBA and WNBA draft picks. Last year’s USA rosters featured a number of notable high school recruits, including Bronny James and JuJu Watkins, the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and Associated Press All-America selection who helped lead USC to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament this year.

This year’s Nike Hoop Summit will feature the top boys and top girls players in the country, according to ESPN rankings. The USA boys team includes ESPN’s No. 1 player, Cooper Flagg out of Montverde Academy in Newport, Maine. On the girls side, the USA team features ESPN’s No. 1 player, Sarah Strong from Grace Christian Sanford in Fiquay-Varina, N.C.

A total of 18 countries are represented between the boys and girls World Select teams, including The Bahamas, Cameroon, Canada, China, Croatia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, France, Germany, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Nigeria, Qatar, Slovenia, South Sudan and Ukraine.

While there have been many standout Oregon players to feature in the Nike Hoop Summit in the past, there are no players from the state competing in the event this year. But, area college and prep coaching fixture Marshall Cho is the head coach of the World Select team, returning for a second year after serving as the team’s assistant coach in 2023.

As the region’s only interstate high school all-star basketball game, the Northwest Shootout annually has showcased the best boys and girls senior players from both Oregon and Washington. On the boys side, Washington has won each of the last three meetings against Oregon. In last year’s girls game, Oregon defeated Washington, 93-80, to end a three-game losing streak to its neighbors to the north.

Chen says this year’s event has some new attractions, including a hoop con for fans to celebrate all things basketball and sneaker culture during a buy, sell and trade event on gameday. Additionally, the Northwest Shootout once again is donating a portion of the proceeds from the event to Camps for Kids, a local non-profit that provides need-based scholarship opportunities for local students who would like to attend established athletics academies, sports camps or other activity of choice, including dance schools, art academies and summer schools.

For his part, Chen has been involved with the Northwest Shootout since its inception in 1994, starting out as a merchandise vendor with this company and eventually become a sponsor and annual supporter of the event through Shirts & Skins. Now as the event director, he says it’s special to continue making the annual event a success.

“I’ve got a special place in my heart for it,” Chen said.

For more information on the Nike Hoop Summit
Check out the Nike Hoop Summit website for a host of information and history on the event. Fans can use the promo code “PST” through Friday to receive 20 percent off tickets purchased online at the site.

For more information on the Northwest Shootout
Additional details on this year’s Northwest Shootout can be found on the event’s website. Organizers are encouraging attendees to purchase tickets in advance for this year’s event due to smaller venue capacity.

Sport Oregon 4/4/24 Sport Oregon 4/4/24

Meet the Women of the Portland Timbers — KATU

For the Portland Timbers, it's all men on the field. Off the field, it's a group of women running the show.

Meet Ashley Highsmith, Sarah Keane, Robin Beavers, PhD, and Heather Davis.

You won't see their faces as much as the athletes', but they're just as crucial to the organization.

"You got to work hard and show up every day," said Chief Operations Officer Ashley Highsmith. "It's no different when you're on the field or off the field."

A sports fanatic and athlete, Highsmith knew at a young age that she wanted to work in the sports realm.

After graduating from Oregon State University in 2003, she left the Beaver Dam to start her career as a Group Ticket Sales Manager at Providence Park Stadium. She had a front-row seat to the club's expansion into Major League Soccer, and Providence Park's numerous renovations.

Over the next few decades, Highsmith continued to climb the sports management ladder. In 2023, her hard work paid off when she earned the position of COO.

Highsmith, a wife and mother of four, says her colleagues at the Timbers Club are her "second family."

Just like the athletes on the field, she and her colleagues play as a team.

"We all want the best for the club, we all want the best for the Timbers [and] we all want the best for the stadium," said Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Sarah Keane. "So, to be able to work together with these amazing women, it's just inspiring all the time."

Keane has an extensive career in nonprofit finance and administration, including roles at Oregon Food Bank, New Avenues for Youth, and the Oregon Zoo.

Growing up, Keane participated in as many sports as she could, but her real love was lacrosse. Her first foray into sports management was back in 2006 when she served as Treasurer for the Oregon Women's Lacrosse Umpire Association.

"I was kind of shy, but sports gave me that confidence," Keane said.

This sentiment rings true for Dr. Beavers, the Timbers' Vice President of Community and Social Impact.

"[Sports] make me feel like I can do anything," she said. "On or off the field or the court, I can do anything anybody else can do."

Dr. Beavers joined the Timbers Club back in 2022. With over 20 years of experience working in nonprofits, youth and family services, higher education, and the mental health field, Dr. Beavers is truly a jack of all trades. She has always made equity and inclusion the heart of her work, and this role is no different.

"It means a lot to be able to use the position to not just uplift communities of colors, but also the city in general," she said.

Working as a female sports executive does come with a set of challenges that will sound familiar to most women.

"We have to prove ourselves in a male-dominated world, and I think that's always a challenge," Dr. Beavers explained.

As a Black woman, this feeling is even more pronounced to her.

“When you grow up as a Black person, there's all these barriers," she said. "And on top of that, being a woman. I just feel like I have to constantly prove myself over and over again.”

Being in leadership at the Timbers means that Dr. Beavers and her colleagues can chart their own path.

"That in itself is just empowering - to be able to work in a sport that is male-dominated, but to be led by women," Dr. Beavers said.

Leading this trio of women is Chief Executive Officer Heather Davis.

Davis was appointed as CEO back in January 2023, making her one of the highest-ranking female sports executives in Oregon's history. "It's been really empowering for me to have support in what is a male-dominated industry, in men's professional sports, to be able to find my own leadership style," she said.

Before joining the club, she spent nine years at the NFL office as the lead legal counsel for international operations.

"Sports has always been an industry and environment that I've felt comfortable in," she said.

She also has experience working in the realm of politics. From 1981-2001, she was a Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Presidential Scheduling during the Clinton Administration. Between 2001 and 2002, she served in the Office of Senator Hilary Clinton as her Director of Scheduling.

With vastly different experiences and areas of expertise, each of these women found a home at the Timbers Club.

"There's lots of roles in a sports team," Keane said. "So, figure out what you wanna do. Maybe you're passionate about accounting, maybe it's marketing, maybe it's on the sporting side and just go out there and get that experience."

Whether it's running on the field or running the whole team, there are roles for women in sports everywhere.

Heather Davis is the highest-ranking female sports executive in Oregon history. Courtesy: Portland Timbers

KATU and the Women's Foundation of Oregon are proud to support SHE FLIES by sharing the stories of influential girls and women in sports throughout 2024.

The Women's Foundation of Oregon is harnessing the power of teamwork to champion girls in sports. We're a group of people who work together to support and promote gender justice. We believe in being free and fair, working as a team, finding happiness, growing, being honest, showing bravery, and making things right.

KATU Story

Sport Oregon 3/28/24 Sport Oregon 3/28/24

Consistent Winterhawks Enter Postseason with Momentum On Their Side – Sport Oregon Voices

Portland to host first two games of first-round series at Veterans Memorial Coliseum Friday and Saturday

Buoyed by another terrific regular season that concluded over the weekend, the Portland Winterhawks now turn their attention to the 2024 Western Hockey League (WHL) Playoffs. First up, the Winterhawks face the Victoria Royals in a best-of-seven series that begins Friday night at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, starting at 7 p.m.

Winterhawks playoff tickets are on sale now, including tickets to Game 1 on Friday and Game 2 of their series with the Royals on Saturday. The team also is offering a “Chase The Dream” 2024 Playoff Pass, which secures seats for every home playoff game the Winterhawks play this postseason.

Portland finished the regular season with a record of 48-15-4-1, marking the seventh straight season and the 13th out of the last 14 that it has won 40 or more games in a season. Winning 40-plus games during the regular season is generally considered a measure of success in the Western Hockey League. As such, Winterhawks head coach Mike Johnston is pleased with the results to date, but he knows there’s much more work ahead.

“I thought our guys played really well as a whole this season,” Johnston said. “We had quite a few injuries just after Christmas, but we were able to weather the storm and again get another 40-plus win season.”

Portland won the WHL’s U.S. Division title this season, marking the 15th time in the team’s history that it won a division title.

The Winterhawks, who are the second seed from the Western Conference entering the postseason, face the seventh-seeded Royals, who were 29-30-5-4 this season. Portland, which was one of three teams in the WHL to tally 100 or more points this year, swept the season series with Victoria, winning each of the four meetings between the two teams, including one in overtime and one in a shootout.

Portland will host the first two games of the first-round playoff series at Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum, hosting Game 1 Friday at 7 p.m. and Game 2 Saturday at 6 p.m. The series then shifts to Victoria for Game 3, Game 4 and Game 5 (if necessary), before heading back to Portland for Game 6 and Game 7 if required.

The energy is sure to be high at the Rose Quarter this weekend. In addition to the Winterhawks playoff games at the Coliseum, Moda Center will be hosting the NCAA Women’s Basketball Regional starting Friday. Portland is hosting Sweet 16 games Friday and Saturday, and Elite 8 games Sunday and Monday.

“The campus is going to be alive with NCAA basketball and our games,” Johnston said.

To add to the festivities, the Winterhawks will be hosting a free Toyota Fan Fest on Saturday from 3-5 p.m. The family-friendly event will be held outside on the Rose Quarter Commons. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to welcome the Winterhawks players as they enter the arena at 3 p.m. for their Game 2 matchup with Victoria that night. Other activities include live music, ball hockey, food trucks, beer garden, performances from the Rosebuds Dance Team and prizes.

Now in his 14th season as head coach with the Winterhawks, the experienced Johnston, who also serves as the team’s general manager, knows the keys to making a run in the playoffs. He guided the team to four straight WHL Championship series during one stretch and has led the Winterhawks to the playoffs every year since the 2009-10 season. Heading into this year’s postseason, he likes where the team is but says there are other key factors at play.

“First, you need some momentum going into the playoffs,” he said.

The Winterhawks can check that box, as they logged points in each of their last 11 games to end the regular season.

“We’re healthy, that’s the second important thing,” he continued. “And then I think you just need to get off to a good start. Playoffs are a different season really, so you really need to get off to a good start.”

Earlier this year, Johnston won his 500th WHL game as the Winterhawks defeated the Everett Silvertips in early October. In doing so, he became just the 11th coach in league history to achieve that milestone. Johnston says that while markers like that can be exciting, especially for the fans, what matters most are team accomplishments.

“Wins for the organization mean a lot to me,” he said. “Having 40-win seasons for 13 of the last 14 years, I think, is an incredible accomplishment.

“It’s hard to have that type of continuity in sports today, where teams win a couple years and then go down to the bottom for a couple years,” he added. “We’ve been able to keep our program up there, and every year we’re challenging for the championship, or in the hunt every single season. So, that’s what I’m most proud of.”

Starting this weekend at the Coliseum, the Winterhawks will take their shot in the postseason, with hopes of returning to the WHL Championship once again.

But they can’t do it alone.

As consistent as they have been on the ice, the Winterhawks have been equally impressive in the stands, once again drawing well at the gates this season. The Winterhawks passionate fan base has always been a boost for the team, and Johnston adds the fan support as another important key to playoff success.

“We need our fans in the building to give us that extra momentum, because the playoffs are more challenging than the regular season.”

Sport Oregon 3/26/24 Sport Oregon 3/26/24

Field Set for NCAA Women’s Basketball Regional In Portland – Sport Oregon Voices

West Coast teams USC, Stanford and Gonzaga among eight-team contingent to play at Moda Center this weekend

With the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament now down to the Sweet 16, Portland is about to join the fray of March Madness in full effect this weekend as it welcomes the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Regional to the city beginning Friday. The four-day event will feature six games across four days and will determine two of the teams that will advance to play in the Final Four in Cleveland, starting Friday, April 5.

This year’s Portland Regional, hosted by Oregon State University, will feature many of the top programs in the country, including Texas, the No. 1 seed in Portland Region 3, and No. 1 seed USC, the Pac-12 Tournament champion representing Portland Region 4. USC features Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and Associated Press All-America selection, JuJu Watkins.

This weekend’s action also includes No. 2 seed Stanford, which features standout forward Cameron Brink. She is a former Oregon 6A Player of the Year who played at Southridge High School and Mountainside High School before beginning her decorated collegiate career. The field also features area favorite Gonzaga, the No. 4 seed coming out of Portland Region 4. Gonzaga finished with a perfect regular-season record in the West Coast Conference this season.

The Friday session will feature Texas taking on Gonzaga, and Stanford going up against No. 3 seed North Carolina State in Portland Region 4 play. On Saturday, USC will play No. 5 seed Baylor, while UConn, the three seed in Portland Region 3, will tip off against No. 7 seed Duke, which defeated No. 2 seed Ohio State to advance to Portland as the lowest remaining seed in the tournament.

The two winners of Friday’s Portland Region 4 games will advance to the Elite 8 game that will be played Sunday at 12 noon (PDT) at Moda Center. Saturday’s Portland Region 3 winners will play in the remaining Elite 8 game at Moda Center on Monday night at 6 p.m. (PDT).

Tickets are available for all four sessions of the Portland Regional. Fans also can purchase an all-session package that includes tickets to all six games.

Session 1 – Friday, March 29 (Portland Region 4)
2 Stanford vs. 3 North Carolina State – 4:30 p.m. (PDT)
1 Texas vs. 4 Gonzaga – 7 p.m. (PDT)

Session 2 – Saturday, March 30 (Portland Region 3)
1 USC vs. 5 Baylor – 2:30 p.m. (PDT)
3 UConn vs. 7 Duke – 5 p.m. (PDT)

Session 3 – Sunday, March 31 (Portland Region 4)
Winner of Texas/Gonzaga vs. Winner of Stanford/North Carolina State – 12 noon (PDT)

Session 4 – Monday, April 1 (Portland Region 3)
Winner of USC/Baylor vs. Winner of UConn/Duke – 6 p.m. (PDT)

Previously, Portland hosted one of the tournament’s most successful women’s regionals, drawing a crowd of 11,538 for the final game of the regional between Oregon and Mississippi State during the 2019 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. This year marks the first time the city will host the new format of the tournament. This weekend’s regional features eight teams – as opposed to four in 2019 – and includes four days of games.

In addition, Portland has played host to the men’s first and second rounds six times, the last being in 2022.

Organizing officials in Portland are excited to use the additional experience gained from this year’s expanded regional as they continue preparations and planning for the 2030 NCAA Women’s Final Four, which will be played at Moda Center and hosted by the University of Portland. The city’s first Women’s Final Four was awarded to Portland in late 2022 after a months-long, collaborative bid effort from Sport Oregon, Travel Portland, the University of Portland and the Rose Quarter/Portland Trail Blazers.

First things first, though. Portland officials are ready and eager to put on another top-notch regional this year, one that once again showcases the incredible passion the city and state have for women’s athletics.

“We’ve all been hard at work and looking forward to this regional event for a long while,” said Matt Reed, chief operating officer for Sport Oregon. “Hosting this year’s regional in Portland is another major highlight in our long history of hosting NCAA basketball here in the city. It is a perfect buildup to our hosting the 2030 NCAA Women’s Final Four in Portland.”

With such national appeal, this weekend’s games present the city with a massive opportunity in terms of tourism. Additionally, it gives the passionate fans of Portland and the surrounding area the chance to see such high-caliber college basketball played in their own backyard.

This weekend’s NCAA Women’s Regional in Portland is estimated to have more than $3 million in direct economic impact to the area, with approximately 3,500 hotel rooms, alone, booked as part of the allotment reserved specifically for teams, coaches, administrators, schools and others directly affiliated with the games. Those room-night numbers continue to rise when you add in fans traveling from outside the area to Portland.

So, hold on to your hats, Portland. It promises to be an exciting weekend of women’s basketball at Moda Center.

Fan Fest Saturday
On Saturday from 12 – 5 p.m. (PDT), the NCAA Women's Basketball Regional Fan Fest will take over the Rose Quarter in the plaza between Moda Center and Dr. Jack’s. This free, family-friendly event will feature local vendors, basketball hoops, arcade games, DJs, and more. Dr. Jack’s will open for food, drinks, and streaming live games. No game ticket needed — everyone can be part of the madness.

Sport Oregon 3/25/24 Sport Oregon 3/25/24

These Student-Athletes are Breaking Records and Exceeding Expectations in the Oregon Sports Awards Winter Season

In the dead of winter, these athletes maintained their hot streak

This winter, Sport Oregon is celebrating the very best of high school athletics with the Oregon Sport Awards. These student athletes hail from all over the state and have been excelling in the pool, on the court and on the mat.

The Oregon Sports Awards, sponsored by Pacific Seafood and Pacific Office Automation, recognizes the top high school athletes from across the state.  

Throughout the season, The Oregonian/OregonLive journalists keep score on which student athletes are outshining the rest in their chosen sport. After reviewing all the plays, studying all the matches and taking a pulse on who is leading the pack, these are the top athletes in the 2023/2024 winter season in swimming, wrestling and basketball.

Bend’s Kamryn Meskill, right, gives a high five to another swimmer after their race at the OSAA Class 5A swimming state championships on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, at the Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center in Beaverton. (Photo: Howard Lao | The Oregonian/OregonLive)

GIRLS SWIMMER OF THE YEAR
The very best in girls swimming this winter is Bend High School junior Kamryn Meskill.

Meskill and the Bend Lava Bears have won five titles within the last nine years, including taking home the Oregon Class 5A trophy this year.

For Meskill, the key to the Lava Bears’ success came down to the chemistry they’ve developed over years competing together.

“We’ve been training together for a really long time,” said Meskill. “When you work so hard every day and you see the sacrifices that each other puts in to accomplish the goals that they want, you not only don’t want to let yourself down, but you don’t want to let your teammates down.”

Meskill now owns Oregon’s Class 5A record in the 50-yard free — an event she has won three state championships in.

When asked about the pressure of the race, she remarks that she doesn't allow nerves to get to her, stating that the race simply is too fast to waste time on worrying.

Kells Portland Irish Festival, Shamrock Run Bring Thousands to Downtown Portland This Weekend — Sport Oregon Voices

Annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration takes over Tom McCall Waterfront Park Friday through Sunday

For the second year in a row, two of the city’s most popular and long-standing events are partnering to put on another huge weekend festival in downtown Portland that is sure to attract thousands of event-goers and running enthusiasts from near and far.

Tom McCall Waterfront Park once again serves as the epicenter of fun and start and finish lines for the Kells Portland Irish Festival and Shamrock Run. The Kells Portland Irish Festival activities begin Friday and run through the weekend, while the annual Shamrock Run will be held on St. Patrick’s Day this Sunday.

The two events joined forces in 2023, combining the traditional appeal of two of the leading St. Patrick’s Day traditions in the area. The collaboration once again promises a combined celebration unlike any other, pairing one of the largest runs in the region with one of its most popular Irish festivals.

“It was really exciting to come back post-shutdown in 2023 in such a big way,” said Kells owner Garrett McAleese. “Combing our resources with the Shamrock Run, we’ve been able to do some really cool things. Both organizations have high standards, and it’s been a great partnership.”

This year’s Portland Irish Festival kicks off Friday, March 15, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, with additional festivities and activities also taking place at Kells Irish Pub in downtown Portland and Kells Brewery in Northwest Portland.

The festival will feature the best in Irish culture, including live music from notable artists from near and far, traditional Irish dancing, bagpipes, a variety of vendors and Irish food and beverages. McAleese says that there will be more interactive attractions and cultural activities than ever this year. Attendees can observe the traditional handmade woodworking craft of Irish boat-making; witness demonstrations of traditional Irish sports like rugby, Gaelic football and hurling; and even take a crack at learning a few basic native Irish language phrases.

Always a popular part of the weekend, boxing takes center stage Friday night at the waterfront, with some of the finest Golden Glove boxers from Ireland going toe-to-toe with some of the best amateur fighters from the Northwest. Gates open at 5 p.m., while the boxing action begins at 7 p.m. Tickets available here.

Saturday is Family Day at the Portland Irish Festival, providing an interactive day of fun for kids of all ages. Family Day opens at 12 noon and is free until 5 p.m. It offers live music, traditional Irish dancing, face painting, balloon animals, Providence Child Care activity booth, The Hedge School, local arts and crafts, cultural community groups, partner vendors and the chance to interact with majestic Irish wolfhounds.

The best value for this year’s Irish Festival is a three-day pass, which includes access to all three Kells locations throughout the entire festival plus a general admission ticket to Friday’s boxing event. Single-day passes are $20 in advance or $30 at the door. Each pass is good for admission to all three festival locations. Advance tickets are available for purchase here.

Once again this year, Kells is collecting and matching donations during the Irish Festival for the Kells For Kids Fund, which benefits the Center for Medically Fragile Children at Providence Child Center. To date, Kells has donated more than $250,000 through the fundraiser.

The Shamrock Run is the feature attraction Sunday, with all races originating and finishing at Waterfront Park. The traditional St. Patrick’s Day run, which celebrates its 46th edition this year, annually draws upwards of 20,000 runners, walkers and supporters for a half-marathon, 15k, 8k, 5k, Shamrock Stride and, for the kids, the Doernbecher Leprechaun Lap.

Registration for the Shamrock Run is available here.

According to Alex Jee, community manager for the Shamrock Run, incentives are being offered to elite running teams that participate in the Shamrock Run 8k this year. The fastest of these elite teams wins $500, and the largest team in terms of participants receives $500. Individual winners of the 8k will win $300 plus their weight in beer, bringing back a popular tradition.

As one of the area’s longest-standing and largest running events, the Shamrock Run has long been considered an opening day of sorts for the running season in Portland. Among the many things that make the Shamrock Run special, its appeal to participants of all skill levels makes it attractive and accessible to many. The Shamrock Run has grown into a fun event where even the most casual of runners or walkers feel at home jumping in and participating. In short, everyone has their own personal goal and emerges as a winner while taking in the Portland scenery and the best of what the city has to offer.

The combined Shamrock Run and Irish Festival provides a sizeable impact to the city and surrounding area. Namely, the boost the event annually produces for local hotels and restaurants is significant and always comes at a good time, as it provides substantial tourism activity and local business at a time of the year that’s traditionally a bit slower. But that’s when Portland is starting to hit its stride each year, as the event traditionally marks the beginning of an always impressive events and festivals calendar that attracts visitors from all over.

“Kells Irish Fest and the annual Shamrock Run kick off Portland's spring events season each year,” said Megan Conway, chief strategy officer for Travel Portland. “Both are critical events that bring to life Portland's values of fitness, fun and community. Partnering for the last two years has elevated both events, and we look forward to welcoming locals and visitors back to downtown Portland again this March.”

Of course, it takes a lot of people to put on such a big weekend for Portland. For his part, McAleese says that, in addition to his regular staff, Kells brings on upwards of 200 extra staff to make the Irish Festival run smoothly. That number increases significantly when you factor in the many hundreds more volunteers the Shamrock Run brings in.

McAleese says a lot of added staff for the weekend on the Kells side are former employees who started at the pub as bussers, working their way up to bartending before eventually moving on to professional careers. A lot of these extra staff members are from out of the area and simply enjoy being a part of the fun each year, he says. And when you’ve been doing the event for the better part of four decades, you build up a pretty good rolodex of loyal folks willing and eager to help make the event such a big success each year.

There’s a little something for everyone as part of the annual St. Patrick’s Day weekend celebration in downtown Portland, so be sure to take in some or all of the activities.

Sport Oregon 3/4/24 Sport Oregon 3/4/24

George Fox University Women's Golf Team Overcomes Odds and Wins National Championship — KATU

George Fox University started its women's golf team only 17 years ago, but that hasn't stopped its players from making history.

On May 12, 2023, the team won the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division Three Women's Golf Championship.

"So many people thought that we could never do it from Oregon because of the rain and everything we have going on here, and we're competing against California schools and Texas schools," said Coach MaryJo McCloskey. "Just getting it done felt like such an amazing accomplishment for everyone."

That victory was sweet, and not just because of the massive trophy. It's because the team did it together.

"This last year, winning the national championship together as a team was one of the most special moments we've had," said team co-captain Makensie Toole, a senior at George Fox.

It was an emotional moment for co-captain Alison Takamiya, also a senior at George Fox. "I just remember, I was the last one to putt out in the group, and then as soon as I made the putt, everyone started rushing toward me with water bottles," she said. "[They] started spraying me and each other, and then we all gave each other a big hug and it was just a 'wow, we did it' moment.

Takamiya and Toole are highly decorated golfers, with first-, second-, and third-place awards from the NCAA, the Northwest Conference (NWC), and the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA).

They know that the foundation was built right here for any future success they have on their own.

Takamiya says "Having that support system is really important" for her personal growth.

It's the same for Toole.

“It's really cool to have the opportunity to be around a bunch of women who inspire me every day to get better," she said. "We kind of inspire each other to get better together.”

McCloskey believes the connection between the players is the key to her team's success.

“We care about each other, and it's not about, 'I want to beat you, I want to beat you,''' McCloskey explained. "It's more about, let's all do this together.”

What's just as important as supporting teammates is giving that same support to yourself. It's something McCloskey had to do herself. When she started as a coach at Lewis and Clark College, she was the only woman in her conference.

"I have been on this journey for the last 25 years or so, and I've just really learned a lot about mental toughness and what it takes to be ready for that magic moment," she said. "It took me a long time to get this information and I want girls to get it quicker."

That inspired McCloskey to write her book, 'When Girls Win.'

“Everyone has greatness inside, and in order to bring that greatness out, you have to say great things to yourself," she explained. "That's what I really want people to get out of my book. I want people to realize that we get in our own way so much.”

With an NCAA Championship under their belts, it's safe to say that nothing is getting in this team's way.

KATU and the Women's Foundation of Oregon are proud to support SHE FLIES by sharing the stories of influential girls and women in sports throughout 2024.

KATU Story

Sport Oregon 2/28/24 Sport Oregon 2/28/24

USTA Pacific Northwest Striving to Increase Tennis Accessibility In Four-State Region — Sport Oregon Voices

Organization focused on more indoor courts, programming outdoor courts and providing need-based scholarships to improve access to play

As the governing body for the sport of tennis across four states throughout our region, the United States Tennis Association Pacific Northwest promotes and develops the growth of tennis in the Pacific Northwest. Its mission is to inspire heathier people and communities through the growth of the sport.

These days, a large part of the non-profit organization’s work in the Pacific Northwest is focused on increasing accessibility to the sport, breaking down barriers to play such as cost and access to facilities. Recent reports indicate that the Northwest is the fastest growing region for tennis (among 17 regions in the country), growing at nearly three times the national rate over a five-year period. This presents unique challenges and opportunities for an already underserved sport in this part of the country, particularly as it relates to availability and access to indoor and outdoor courts.

The USTA Pacific Northwest currently services 1.4 million tennis players across four states, including Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Northern Idaho. But Warren says there are an additional 1.3 million people who want to play but don’t have suitable access.

Further, a recent longevity study conducted by the Copenhagen City Heart Study and published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings concluded that regularly participating in tennis was linked to 9.7 added years of life, the biggest impact of any sport considered in the study.

“We believe that tennis is a vehicle that transforms lives and promotes health and wellness,” said Matthew Warren, the CEO and Executive Director of the USTA Pacific Northwest. “So, we really believe it’s incumbent upon us to provide tennis play opportunities to others.”

There are several factors involved with the barriers to play the sport of tennis in the region. First off, weather plays a big part in the limited access to outdoor courts in the area. Most years, access to outdoor courts is relegated to just a few reliable months.

In terms of indoor courts, once again there are not enough facilities to meet demand, and the cost of indoor court rentals oftentimes prices out interested participants.

“It really becomes an accessibility issue,” Warren said, “not only in terms of just trying to get onto an indoor court – which is really difficult – but also the expense involved and being able to rent or secure an indoor court to play on is very high as well.”

To address these obstacles, the USTA Pacific Northwest is working to increase the number of indoor courts, partnering with public entities to program existing outdoor courts and providing need-based scholarships that allow more people to play indoor tennis.

According to Warren, data shows that the median household income of people who play indoor tennis is $186,000 per year. Conversely, the median household income of those who play on outdoor courts is $58,000 annually. Further, he says there are a total of 585 indoor tennis courts to serve a population base of over 12 million people in the four states serviced by the organization. This amounts to one indoor court for every 21,000 people, more than twice the national average. Unfortunately, the ratio worsens when you factor in the fact that of the 585 indoor courts, only 76 truly are open to the general public.

With these figures top of mind, Warren says the organization has ambitious and focused plans to further increase the number of indoor courts in the four-state region to help service the increasing demand by building new and converting existing outdoor venues for year-round play availability.

“We are aggressively raising capital and developing public-private partnerships to build more indoor courts to meet the demand,” he said, indicating that specific plans are in the works and will be rolled out in the near future.

The organization already operates two indoor facilities in Washington – one in Vancouver and one in Tacoma – that are open to the public. Warren says that play opportunities at the two facilities have grown significantly over the last few years and have gone a long way to providing more opportunities in those two cities. But more needs to be done.

The USTA Pacific Northwest also has stepped up to help make existing outdoor courts more accessible and focused. The organization has partnered with public park districts to help fill the programmatic void by providing staff, quality control, equipment and need-based scholarships at 250 sites throughout the four-state region. Warren says this amounts to a staff of over 450 people that help provide play opportunities in those states.

In Oregon, the organization’s outreach includes staffing, programs and services at several outdoor courts in public parks, including the areas of Portland, Beaverton, Tigard, Eugene and Ashland. They are looking to grow the footprint.

The USTA Pacific Northwest believes tennis promotes life-long fitness and wellness, instills leadership and sportsmanship, teaches teamwork and life skills, and builds stronger families and healthier communities. It’s with these benefits in mind that it is driven to make the sport of tennis available to everyone.

To Learn More
To read more about how to help make a difference through the sport of tennis, including volunteer opportunities and donations, click here.

Sport Oregon 2/14/24 Sport Oregon 2/14/24

Mt. Bachelor a Top Attraction for Beginners, Experts and Nature Lovers Alike — Sport Oregon Voices

Popular ski resort focuses on an authentic experience while basking in Central Oregon scenery

Located in scenic Central Oregon just 20 minutes outside Bend, Mt. Bachelor has built a reputation as a top ski resort in the Pacific Northwest. Ranking as the seventh-largest ski resort in North America – featuring more than 4,300 acres of skiable terrain – Mt. Bachelor offers the unique attraction of 360-degree descents from a 9,065-foot volcanic peak.

What you won’t find is slopeside lodging, condo developments or overly fancy base villages so common with most resorts. Instead, Mt. Bachelor keeps the focus squarely on the outdoor activities and experiences so beloved by those who enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing and sled-dog riding, among many other activities.

And, they do so proudly … providing a rugged and authentic experience for guests of all skill levels and abilities.

“People really do come to Mt. Bachelor for the skiing and riding,” said Presley Quon, communications manager for Mt. Bachelor. “Whether it’s your first time on skis, or you’re an elite athlete, there’s something for everyone here.”

Mt. Bachelor features two main base areas and is served by three carpets and 12 lifts. The West Village houses the main chairlift, Pine Marten. According to Quon, from there you can get to pretty much anywhere you want on the mountain. To your east, you can get to Sunrise Lodge, or if you go west, you get into more advanced terrain with scenic open glades, steeper terrain and more tree-lined surroundings. The second main base, Sunrise Lodge, includes a lot of the beginner terrain by accessing the east side of the mountain.

Of course, there are a number of special events, including a pair of upcoming signature events, that make a trip to Mt. Bachelor all the more enjoyable.

Beginning March 21, Mt. Bachelor will be celebrating the 12th year of the Big Wave Challenge hosted by surfer, snowboarder and Bend local, Gerry Lopez. The event, inspired by Lopez’ passion for surf and snow, is a snowboard contest held on a custom-built course that includes a series of sweeping banked corners, quarter pipes and spines.

From May 2-5, Mt. Bachelor is hosting its Rendezvan spring event. The festival is a one-of-a-kind event that celebrates the outdoor crowd, including RV enthusiasts, campers and van-lifers. The annual event invites guests to enjoy their outdoor or mobile recreation while taking in live music, local and out-of-the-area vendors, tailgating and skiing and riding during a great weekend of fun in the spring.

New this year, the resort is holding sunset snowshoe tours at its Nordic Lodge twice a month, providing another way for more casual outdoor enthusiasts to experience the mountain.

“These tours are a really fun way to get out if you’re not an avid skier or snowboarder, but still want to be in nature and experience the alpine landscape,” Quon said.

Also new this season, the Boneyard Backcountry Bar has been introduced. The only way to access this unique hut at the bottom of one of the lifts is to ski in and out, and it has emerged as a favored addition to the events lineup, bringing a unique blend of mountain adventure paired with great beer and food. The next Boneyard Backcountry Bar event is this Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 17-18).

Mt. Bachelor now offers a Ski or Ride in 5 instructional program for beginners that includes five lessons, five ski or snowboard rentals and five lift tickets for $499. But there’s more. Upon graduation from the course, graduates receive a free mountain pass for the remainder of the ski season and discounts on passes for future years, including 50 percent off the cost of a full-season pass for the following season.

The resort, which features 101 runs and has an average annual snowfall of 410 inches, is typically open for skiing and snowboarding six months out of the year, traditionally starting Thanksgiving weekend (weather dependent) and, this year, extending through May 26.

A host of lodging options are available in close proximity to the mountain, says Quon. Mt. Bachelor has several lodging partners, including Tetherow Resort, Sunriver Resort, The Oxford Hotel, The Element and the Riverhouse, located on the nearby Deschutes River. Additionally, Mt. Bachelor offers overnight RV camping at the resort.

When the weather warms up, Mt. Bachelor keeps the outdoor adventure rolling with a host of summer activities, such as downhill mountain biking, ziplining and whitewater rafting with Sun Country Tours.

Mountain bikers are in for a treat at Mt. Bachelor, with its volcanic rocks providing for challenging rides and “some really intense, high-adrenaline jump lines and technical rock gardens,” according to Quon. This year, the resort is excited to add a new trail for beginners, Evergreen Trail.

The whitewater rafting experiences range from two-hour excursions to all-day adventures and two-day, overnight glamping trips.

Also, Mt. Bachelor offers sunset dinners during the summer. Guests can hop on a lift, get to the top midmountain lodge and enjoy a menu prepared by the resort’s executive chef while enjoying the oh-so Oregon views of the Cascade Mountains and area lakes.

Speaking of food, the Mt. Bachelor experience in the winter includes a number of dining options.

The Clearing Rock Bar, located in the West Village Lodge, offers a variety of pub food and hosts events each Friday. Cocoa’s Cafe, also a West Village Lodge attraction, is a cafeteria-style eatery that has a decidedly Asian flair, while also serving additional favorites like pizza and chicken fingers.

Just outside the Sunrise Lodge, guests can enjoy a beer or a bloody Mary at the Sun Bar, all while experiencing the scenic 360-degree views. The XC Café at The Nordic Lodge serves up warming food options, grab-n-go items, snacks, hot beverages and bottled drinks, including canned beer, wine and cider.

So whether it’s an authentic alpine experience in the winter or picturesque scenery and outdoor activities in the summer, make sure Mt. Bachelor is on your list of Oregon attractions to check out.

To Learn More
For more information on Mt. Bachelor and all its attractions and amenities, click here.

Sport Oregon 2/6/24 Sport Oregon 2/6/24

Oregon Nonprofit Empowers Young Girls Through Running — KATU

PORTLAND, Ore. — Two years ago, Cary Sampson joined the Oregon-based nonprofit Girls on the Run as a coach. "It's a really empowering experience for the girls and the coaches," she said. At that same time, her daughter Antwanna joined as a runner. Seeing her daughter participate in the program makes Cary feel "great as a mom."

Since then, Cary has noticed changes in 10-year-old Antwanna. "I've noticed that she has a lot of empathy," she said. “That's something that maybe we were lacking before, but I think Girls on the Run teaches girls to have empathy for other people, and I think that's one of the things I've noticed that's improved in her.”

Antwanna feels some physical changes in herself. "I run a lot faster now," she said. She's also discovered some mental changes. "If you're mad about something, you can take it out in running," she explained. "And then, just completing a goal that you make makes it better."

Teaching young girls emotional regulation and goal-setting is exactly what Girls on the Run strives to do. "At Girls on the Run, we use a research-based curriculum that pairs social-emotional learning with physical activity to support girls in our community with the skills they need to thrive," said Mavia Haight, Executive Director of Girls on the Run. She became executive director five years ago. "It's so incredibly rewarding to be with Girls on the Run," she said.

For Mavia, one of the most rewarding parts is watching the girls run a 5k. "Every season, the girls build up to completing a 5k at the end," Mavia explained. The 5k is an opportunity for the girls to demonstrate their growth after 10 weeks of practice. "I mean, even thinking about watching those girls cross the finish line on 5k day makes me a little emotional, it's just so rewarding," Mavia said. The first step in accomplishing this 5k is helping the girls believe in themselves first.

That's where the coaches come in. "We get to go through these lessons together about how we can build each other up, make each other better, and encourage each other," said Cary.

These lessons help girls like Antwanna build resilience. "It feels really good to complete a mission," she says.

Aside from the 5k and the amazing snacks waiting at the finish line, Antwanna's most grateful to Girls on the Run for making her feel noticed.

Girls on the Run is for 3rd-5th grade girls. Spring season lasts from March 18, 2024-June 1, 2024. Registration opens for coaches on February 16 and for participants on February 21. If you're interested in coaching, click here. For participation, click here. Email info@girlsontherunpdx.orgor call (503)318-5212 for more information.

Antwanna spending time with friends at the Girls on the Run 5k | Courtesy of Girls on the Run Greater Oregon

KATU and the Women's Foundation of Oregon are proud to support SHE FLIES by sharing the stories of influential girls and women in sports throughout 2024.

KATU Story

Sport Oregon 1/31/24 Sport Oregon 1/31/24

Fuel the Future benefiting SHE FLIES, Sport Oregon Foundation to be Held May 10 — Sport Oregon Voices

Signature new fundraising and awards event to take place at the Multnomah Athletic Club

Excitement is building for a new fundraising and awards celebration this spring, as Sport Oregon presents Fuel the Future benefitting SHE FLIES and the Sport Oregon Foundation. The inaugural event will be held at the Multnomah Athletic Club on Friday, May 10, from 5-8 p.m.

Fuel the Future will feature a host of new and familiar highlights, including the introduction of the SHE FLIES Community Grant recipients for 2024. It also will include a new awards program, as the organization will celebrate the winners of the inaugural SHE FLIES Pillar Awards. These annual awards will recognize local girls, women and organizations that best exemplify one of the three SHE FLIES pillars: keeping girls in the game, empowering women in coaching and fitness for life.

Fuel the Future will serve as a critical fundraiser for the Sport Oregon Foundation and its flagship initiative, SHE FLIES. The event will feature a live and silent auction, and several sponsorship opportunities are available to help the organization fulfill its mission of breaking down barriers to physical activity, with an emphasis on underserved youth, and the SHE FLIES initiative and its work to support, uplift and celebrate girls and women in sports.

Guests at Fuel the Future will have the opportunity to purchase $25 raffle tickets that allows them the opportunity to choose a bottle of mystery wine from the Wine Wall. Each bottle is valued at $25 or above, and as each bottle is uncovered, guests will learn what bottle they get to take home.

A host of great sponsors are already partnering on the inaugural event, including AAA, Enterprise Mobility, Hyphn, PNC Bank, Stoller Winery, US Bank and the Women’s Foundation of Oregon. The sponsorship opportunities offer local businesses a way to continue supporting the Sport Oregon Foundation and SHE FLIES mission as part of this special night.

For those interested in sponsorship opportunities and tables for the event, please contact Kristin Spear, Sport Oregon director of strategic partnerships, at kristin@sportoregon.org. Those interested in donating auction items are encouraged to contact Anita Moreno, executive assistant and member relations manager with Sport Oregon, at anita@sportoregon.org.

We look forward to everyone’s support in helping us fulfill the Sport Oregon Foundation’s mission by joining us for this special night of connecting with fellow athletes, business leaders, community partners and SHE FLIES ambassadors from across our wonderful sports community.

Sport Oregon 1/29/24 Sport Oregon 1/29/24

2024 SHE FLIES Community Grant Application to Open After Awarding Over $100,000 in 2023 Through the Sport Oregon Foundation

Grant application process for 2024 opens Feb. 7 on SHEFLIES.org

Sport Oregon today announced that the organization is opening its 2024 SHE FLIES Community Grant cycle Wednesday, Feb. 7, through the Sport Oregon Foundation. Grant-seeking organizations aligning with the SHE FLIES mission and corresponding focus areas are encouraged to apply for 2024 grants at SHEFLIES.org.

SHE FLIES is the flagship initiative of the Sport Oregon Foundation, with a mission to connect girls and women across Oregon to sports, and to create inclusive communities through its programs, partnerships and networks. It aims to do so through three focus areas: keeping girls in the game, empowering women in coaching and promoting fitness for life.

In 2022, SHE FLIES awarded grants to six deserving groups, including Active Children Portland, The Children’s Course, Hood River Outrigger Canoe Club, Ophelia’s Place, the Rose City Rollers and Skate Like a Girl.

In 2023, SHE FLIES built on that momentum by awarding nearly 500 percent more total funds to eight deserving non-profits, including Adaptive Sports Northwest, Adelante Mujeres, Bridge City Soccer Academy, Elite Sports Academy, Friends of Baseball, Girls on the Run Greater Oregon, Portland Tennis & Education and Special Olympics Oregon.

Thanks to a substantial financial commitment of $200,000 from Alaska Airlines in late 2022, Sport Oregon has been able to increase the amount awarded through the SHE FLIES Community Grants program in 2023 and 2024.

“At Alaska Airlines, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to play, grow and thrive in athletics,” said Harry Cheema, public affairs manager at Alaska Airlines. “We are proud to support Sport Oregon through the She Flies Community Grant program to level the playing field for girls and women in sports. Alaska is committed to improving access to sports and contributing to the growth and development of athletes, and this partnership allows us to reach communities all across the great state of Oregon.”

The application period for this year’s SHE FLIES grants will end Friday, April 5 at 5 p.m. (PST), and applicants will be notified in early May. Sport Oregon will recognize the 2024 SHE FLIES grant recipients during its annual fundraising gala. Fuel the Future benefiting SHE FLIES and the Sport Oregon Foundation will take place on Friday, May 10 at the Multnomah Athletic Club. Funds will be distributed to grantees in June.

In addition to the community grants program, Sport Oregon annually produces a number of special events and relevant programming in support of the SHE FLIES initiative.

The 2024 calendar of SHE FLIES events begins Wednesday, Feb. 7, with Sport Oregon’s National Girls and Women in Sports Day Trivia Night at the Sports Bra in Northeast Portland. The event, which will be held from 6-8 p.m., is first come, first served, with no RSVP required, so interested participants are encouraged to arrive early. Help us celebrate the achievements and contributions of girls and women in sports and test your women’s sports trivia knowledge for a chance to win! Trivia teams can have a maximum of six people, with the top three teams receiving prizes.

For more information on SHE FLIES and additional events and activities on tap this year, go to SHEFLIES.org.

Sport Oregon 1/16/24 Sport Oregon 1/16/24

State-of-the-Art Rogue X Officially Open for Business in Medford — Sport Oregon Voices

New community recreation facility to serve needs of area residents while providing economic impact as top regional event destination

For residents of Medford and Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley, Saturday, Jan. 6, was a momentous day, as they celebrated the grand opening of the sparkling new Rogue Credit Union Community Complex, also known as Rogue X.

On that day, the new 140,000 square-foot, $76 million recreational facility officially opened its doors to the public. And the occasion was much more than just a ribbon cutting, as immediately the center was bustling with activity. The new state-of-the-art aquatic and event center has many features for area residents and traveling visitors to enjoy. The main attractions are a 76,000 square-foot multipurpose event center; an indoor recreation pool featuring two water slides and a 13-lane indoor competition pool; an outdoor splash pad and a food truck pod.

Events bookings are already stacking up, and officials are encouraged by the early enthusiasm and the sheer variety of events, community gatherings and sporting activities currently lined up at Rogue X.

“The response has been pretty overwhelming,” said Brad King, director of sports development for Travel Medford. “There are 40-plus events already booked on weekends, including an array of activities like tournaments and trade shows.”

Travel Medford is contracted to promote Rogue X and help recruit events to fill the new city-owned facility, which is managed by Medford Parks & Recreation. King says they’ve already seen a wide variety of event interest, from traditional sports to crafting shows, a cornhole tournament, a pear blossom festival in April and the Meadowlark Comic Con in July. Still in its infancy, Rogue X has already proved to be a versatile space that is ideal for trade shows, car shows, high school proms and other diverse events in need of larger, flexible spaces.

On the event side of the facility, there are eight courts lined for basketball, 16 lined for volleyball and 32 lined for the increasingly popular pickleball. In addition, King says futsal will be hosted at Rogue X, which also houses locker room facilities.

On the aquatics side, the new Rogue X includes a 6,000 square-foot recreational pool with an interactive play structure. It also features the largest competitive pool in the region that will serve as a hub for high school and club swimming, and water polo practices and meets.

The facility also provides a permanent home for the Medford Sports Hall of Fame and includes a Travel Medford Visitor Information Center and operations space for Medford Parks & Recreation.

Rogue X, which is located in the heart of Howard Memorial Sports Park, is meant to serve the growing recreational needs of area residents while at the same time serving as an emerging source of economic stimulus for the area, by regularly attracting tournaments and other events that draw from outside the city. Officials anticipate that the resulting effect will be increased hotel stays and millions of dollars in economic impact for area restaurants, merchants and retailers. They also believe that, with the opening of Rogue X, Medford – now more than ever – is uniquely suited to compete for additional events and serve as one of the most desirable destinations for activities and gatherings of all sorts in the region.

In recent years, Medford increasingly has grown into a leading sports destination in the region. In 2008, Lithia & Driveway Fields opened as one of the largest facilities of its kind in the country. Lithia & Driveway Fields features seven fields for baseball and softball, three full-size baseball fields and five fields for football and soccer. The 132-acre complex features the largest installation of FieldTurf in the United States.

While Rogue X significantly adds to the appeal of Medford as a leading event destination, it’s understandable that city officials are bullish on the city’s newest recreational facility, not only to serve the recreational needs of local residents, but serve as a catalyst from the entire region.

“It fits our community, it’s like it’s home here already and it’s incredible,” Medford Mayor Randy Sparacino told local affiliate KOBI-TV at the recent grand opening. “It is going to make a huge difference in our community, and not just the city of Medford but our region as a whole.”

King concurs, and says the building, itself, is an immense source of civic pride for the community, as its design and beauty perfectly fit the region. He says the multi-generational appeal of the facility has been rewarding to witness so far, too.

Rogue X features a host of community programs, including swimming programs and lessons for kids, adults and seniors. It also offers birthday packages, play-based classroom programs, fitness classes, CPR training and martial arts classes, among many other activities. Rogue X offers rentals for party rooms, classrooms, the recreational pool, the outdoor splash pad pavilion and rentals for the event center courts and for specialty events.

For more information on all of Rogue X’s amenities, events, programs and rental details, go to www.roguexmedford.com.

Sport Oregon 1/9/24 Sport Oregon 1/9/24

Breaking Down Barriers in Athletics at Adaptive Sports Northwest — KATU

PORTLAND, Ore. — Sports are all about defying odds, whether that's defeating an opponent or beating a record. However, for the athletes at Adaptive Sports Northwest (ASNW), breaking down barriers is a daily routine.

ASNW is a nonprofit that provides adaptive sport opportunities at all levels, from recreational to competitive. With the help of a grant from Sport Oregon's 'SHE FLIES' initiative, ANSW is able to hold monthly practices just for female para-athletes. These monthly practice sessions are part of ASNW's 'She's On the Move' program. So far, ASNW offers practice sessions for adaptive basketball and goalball, with a similar initiative in other sports to come.

ASNW Executive Director, Jen Armbruster, says 'She's On the Move' opens new possibilities for female para-athletes. "What's really nice about this initiative is that we can have that younger generation as well, looking up and finding that community," she said. "And for older women as well, for them to be able to say 'hey, I can be an athlete, I can go recreate and go wherever I want to go,' whether that's playing division three ball, going to college with wheelchair basketball or goalball. . . or just finding that community with the group of women."

Armbruster is a para-athlete herself, she knows how playing sports can benefit a person on and off the court. "Sports, for me, has just been such a huge thing in my life, whether that's been time management, getting through school, making sure my grades are good enough, and then, just having those goals and working toward them."

After losing her vision at 14 years old, Armbruster was introduced to goalball. She made the U.S. Paralympic team at just 17, then went on to compete in the games seven times and win four medals - one gold, one silver, two bronze.

Now, she helps others accomplish their goals and experience the joy of playing.

This means everything to athletes like Evita Rush. "I never got the chance to play as a younger kid. It was introduced to me at 15," she explained. "I never got to play on team sports at my school or anything like that."

Rush is a player on ASNW's adult wheelchair basketball team, the 'Portland Wheelblazers.' After nearly a decade at ASNW, she's a familiar face on and off the court. On top of playing for the Wheelblazers, she volunteers at many of ASNW's events.

Events like those hosted through 'She's On the Move' give para-athletes like Rush the space to excel in the sport they love, while building community.

For Armbruster, it's a pleasure "to see the smiles on the court [and] to see the comradery amongst both young and old," but what she finds most rewarding is "just watching folks get to enjoy what they love to do."

Rush says the space for female para-athletes is powerful. "It breaks down barriers," she said. "It's huge, and it's very helpful."

Evita Rush (red shirt) in action. Courtesy of JD Duran//ASNW

KATU and the Women's Foundation of Oregon are proud to support SHE FLIES by sharing the stories of influential girls and women in sports throughout 2024.

KATU Story

Sport Oregon 12/20/23 Sport Oregon 12/20/23

A Note from CEO Jim Etzel

With another banner year of sports in our state drawing to a close, it is my pleasure to write to you today on behalf of the entire team at Sport Oregon, wishing you a Happy Holiday season and all the best in the New Year. Together, we continue to accomplish great things for Oregon, and we are extremely grateful for everyone’s support and partnership in helping drive economic and positive social impact in our state once again in 2023.

At Sport Oregon, we are extremely fortunate to have the support of an engaged board of directors, a talented and enterprising staff and an ever-growing network of like-minded partners that make all the important work we do possible. We all share an unapologetic love of Oregon, and we are truly grateful for everyone’s ongoing efforts to make our state even better. Together, we understand that a thriving sports tourism environment is crucial to the well-being of Oregon.

This year, we saluted outgoing board president Chris Van Wagner for her exceptional guidance during her recently concluded term, and welcomed new board president Jim Carideo, in addition to a new slate of officers and executive board members. Simply put, our board of directors plays a massive role in guiding the strategic direction, financial health and the community role of Sport Oregon.

Additionally, we were excited to welcome a host of new staff members to our Sport Oregon team in 2023, including Kristin Spear (Director of Strategic Partnerships), Natasha Reyes (Sports Tourism Services Manager), Kiki Zeise (Events Manager) and Anita Moreno (Executive Assistant, Member Relations Manager). We experienced encouraging growth across the board in 2023, and our experienced and growing team plays a crucial role in our continued success as an organization.

Once again in 2023, our flagship initiative SHE FLIES continued to take flight in just its second full year. The initiative continued to grow and expand its important work to connect girls and women to sports participation and communities in Oregon. As a testament to this growth – and thanks largely to a generous contribution from Alaska Airlines – Sport Oregon delivered on its promise to award substantially more funding through its SHE FLIES Community Grant program. This year, SHE FLIES awarded over $117,000 in total funds to eight deserving non-profits in Oregon.

As we put a bow on 2023, we look back with a great sense of accomplishment at the year that was in Oregon sports, and the resulting impact the many events and attractions had on our state. It, once again, was a year rich with rewards, and there is a tangible sense of excitement as we look ahead to all the developments that lie ahead in 2024 and beyond.

It was a remarkable year for events in our state in 2023. Look no further than Portland International Raceway (PIR), which continues to be a key venue for attracting major events to Oregon. In 2023, working with our partners at Green Savoree Racing, Portland continued to be an emerging destination for motorsports, as we welcomed the state’s first-ever FIA Formula E race in June. This addition made PIR the only track in the world to host these three major circuit races, as Portland once again welcomed the NASCAR Xfinity Series in June and the NTT INDYCAR Series in September.

Active sports fans and participants were treated to another banner year, as the USATF Championships were held at Hayward Field in Eugene in July, and the IRONMAN 70.3 OREGON was once again staged in Salem in July. Area golf enthusiasts were treated to the U.S. Women’s Senior Open Championship at Waverly Country Club in August and the LPGA Portland Classic at Columbia Edgewater over Labor Day weekend.

Throughout the year, we welcomed a wide range of additional events that helped drive impact for Oregon, including the HoopSource Presidents’ Day Basketball tournament (February), the USA Taekwondo Western Grand Prix (May), the Triple Crown Valley Invite (June), the Eight Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo (June), the National Gay Basketball Association Championships (June), National Veterans Wheelchair Games (July), and the Ladies Ball Western Regional (August).

In terms of professional team sports, we welcomed the addition of the Rip City Remix, an NBA G League development team for the Portland Trail Blazers, and we continue to support the ongoing efforts to bring WNBA and MLB to Portland.

Here at Sport Oregon, we were thrilled to host our first Big Swing Golf Tournament powered by PNC. The inaugural event, held in September, was a resounding success and raised over $70,000 for our organization while offering an elevated golf experience for our many members, partners and like-minded organizations.

At our Sport Oregon offices, this year we dedicated a large area of our space as the Len Bergstein Clubhouse. The space, which honors the late Bergstein for his longtime support of Sport Oregon as a founding board member, serves as an asset to our community partners and related events.

For a complete rundown of all the many great programs, events and achievements from the past year, be sure to check out our annual report.

While we celebrate the many achievements of 2023, we remain hard at work and eagerly look forward to a host of marquee events in the coming year.

In April, Sport Oregon is teaming up with Travel Portland and the Oregon Convention Center to host the Sports ETA Symposium, an annual meeting of the Sports Events & Tourism Association. The event is expected to attract upwards of 1,000 attendees, with an estimated 3,000-plus room nights being occupied over the course of the event that matches sports destinations and event decision-makers responsible for producing various sporting events.

The Sports ETA Symposium will be held on the heels of the 2024 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament Regional, which will be held at Moda Center from March 29-April 1. Portland will send two teams to the Women’s Final Four in Cleveland.

Sports fans will want to make sure to circle June on their calendars, too, as the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for track & field will be held at Eugene’s Hayward Field from June 21-30, and Formula E makes its return to PIR June 29-30.

On May 10, we will be hosting our annual Fuel the Future fundraising event, which will be held at the Multnomah Athletic Club to benefit the Sport Oregon Foundation and our SHE FLIES initiative. Also in 2024, we will continue supporting redevelopment plans to transform the Expo Center into a sports-focused facility.

At Sport Oregon, we are so fortunate to have such tremendous support in all that we do. Ultimately, sports provide our state with so much. They bond us, entertain us, rally us, encourage us and improve our quality of life in so many ways. This time of year, in particular, we are honored to express our gratitude for everyone’s support of Sport Oregon, and we wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Annual Report

Sport Oregon 12/11/23 Sport Oregon 12/11/23

Hard Work Pays Off for the Student-Athletes Recognized in the Oregon Sports Awards Fall Season

Top high school athletes recognized for giving their all

The Oregon Sports Awards celebrates the very best in Oregon high school sports. This fall, we saw high school athletes who were hard outside hitters, broke a 5,000-meter record, offered a dynamic cross country (XC) one-two punch, were seasoned state champions, a state ranked scorer and a two-way threat on the turf.

The Oregon Sports Awards recognizes the top high school athletes from across the state each year. This year, in partnership with the sports journalists at The Oregonian/OregonLive and Oregonian Media Group and underwriters Pacific Seafood and Pacific Office Automation, Sport Oregon is honored to celebrate the top high school athletes selected for the 2023 fall season:

Oregon City's Paige Thies celebrates a point scored during the OSAA Class 6A volleyball state championship game against Jesuit on Nov. 4, 2023 at Forest Grove High School. Aaron Brewer for The Oregonian/OregonLive

PREP VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Volleyball: The very best in Oregon high school volleyball is outside hitter powerhouse, Paige Thies, from Oregon City High School.

Described by her coach Erica Frafjord as the hardest hitter she’s ever seen, the 6’2” junior is admired for her sense of joy and laughter amongst teammates and coaches.

So far, Thies has received first team all-Three Rivers League honors for the last two seasons, twice winning the league’s Player of the Year award. All eyes have been on Thies as she’s been heavily recruited, but has committed to the University of Arizona come 2025.

With one season left to play at Oregon City, Thies is determined to make it back to the 6A title game after falling to Jesuit this past season during a hard-fought battle.

“We’ll be strong again next year,” said Frafjord. “We’ve been growing this program, and Thies has been one of the reasons that we’ve put Oregon City on the map as far as a volleyball powerhouse.”

*Crescent Valley's Emily Wisniewski hits the final stretch of the 2023 OSAA Class 5A girls cross country state championship race. Mark Ylen for The Oregonian/OregonLive*

PREP GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR
Girls XC: The record-breaking Emily Wisniewski from Crescent Valley High School has been named girls cross-country runner of the year.

The junior polished off her sophomore season in June with a national record breaking 5,000 meter run of just 16 minutes, 10.2 seconds.

“I love racing. All the hard work when it pays off, I feel like nothing beats the feeling of achieving your goals,” said Wisniewski, who recently won the Nike Northwest regional near Boise, Idaho, and ran in the national race, Dec. 2 at Portland’s Glendoveer Golf Course.

Wisniewski is a student of her sport in every way, even taking the time to speak to a nutritionist to maintain a strong and healthy diet while training.

Wisniewski also takes responsibility in the weight room, where she focuses on hip mobility and core strengthening in addition to plyometrics — jump training using speed and force to build muscles.

“Doing well or achieving something I’ve been looking forward to kind of helps me realize how much better I can do and keep improving,” she said.

Crater's Tayvon Kitchen, right, and Josiah Tostenson compete in the OSAA Class 5A boys cross country state championship race at Lane Community College on Nov. 4, 2023. Mark Ylen for The Oregonian/OregonLive

PREP BOYS CROSS COUNTRY CO-RUNNERS OF THE YEAR
Boys XC: Dynamic duo Josiah Tostenson and Tayvon Kitchen from Crater High School are this year's boys cross country co-runners of the year.

Close friends since middle school, the two have become even closer while competing with one another in cross country, making them a deadly one-two punch for all other competitors.

At the Crater Twilight Invitational, Tostenson finished first in 14 minutes, 38.31 seconds. That time stood as the best by a boy's runner in the state all season. Kitchen was second in 14 minutes, 41.32 seconds.

Crater High School has been a powerhouse for cross country in recent years, with multiple runners finishing in top spots throughout big races.

With the recent graduation of Crater High superstar runner and team leader Tyrone Gorze (now a freshman at University of Washington), Tostenson and Kitchen were inspired to step up and take on roles of leadership for their team at Crater.

“We’re trying to be a good example and work hard,” Kitchen said. With both Tostenson and Kitchen in the top dozen 5k runners in the state, the legacy of Crater is in good hands.

Lakeridge's Rafe Loyo (10) celebrates with his team after winning the OSAA Class 6A boys soccer state championship on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 at Sherwood High School. Tim Healy for The Oregonian/OregonLive

PREP BOYS SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Boys Soccer: Senior captain Rafa Loyo of Lakeridge High School has been named boys soccer player of the year.

This past season Loyo led his team to the 6A state championship, beating Jesuit in a 3-2 victory.

Growing up in Guadalajara, Mexico, and moving to Oregon at the age of nine, Loyo’s love of soccer runs deep with competitive 11-11 play starting at just six years old. Loyo has felt the pressure of even the smallest games since his youth and now at age 17, this passion allows him to play with an edge that pushes him past his opponents.

“You can tell when players have it,” said coach Alan Cox. “You can tell when players are gonna have more than what they already do. And he was one where the first time we trained, it was non-negotiable for me. I was gonna put him on the varsity team, because I knew eventually this was going to be his team to run.”

Loyo spoke no English upon his arrival in Oregon, but was always able to communicate through his soccer abilities. These days, Loyo is one of the loudest and most confident voices on the pitch.

Loyo may play collegiately, or return to Mexico to continue his career, he said, but he remains unsure on his immediate future, and will look to seek the future that best fit his goals on and off the pitch.

He leaves behind a senior season that Lakeridge will not soon forget, playing alongside his teammates as state champions.

*Jesuit's Abby Cox, left, drives with the ball during a game against Lake Oswego on Sept. 11, 2023. Ali Gradischer, The Oregonian/OregonLive*

PREP GIRLS SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Girls Soccer: This year's girls soccer player of the year is the fierce Abby Cox from Jesuit High School.

The Jesuit team is no stranger to big games over the years. In the four years that Cox has played, the Crusaders have gone 53-2-1, winning four Metro League titles, the 2022 Class 6A state championship and finding themselves in the national rankings.

Cox is also decorated as an individual player in her time on the pitch, she had been selected first team all-league in 2021, 2022 and 2023, as well as the co-Player of the Year for the Metro League in 2023.

Through her years with her team, she has truly become a leader.

“I felt way more responsibility on my shoulders,” she said. “Just knowing that I’m more responsible for the team and what we do and how we’re perceived by everyone around us. I definitely felt a little bit more there. Also, I took it as a great challenge and honor to be captain of this team. I learned a lot and hopefully I was a great leader to this team.”

Cox will lace up her cleats as a TCU Horned Frog this upcoming year, joining a competitive club that is happy to have her fierce skillset.

*Tualatin's Jayden Fortier (8) runs with the ball during the game between Tualatin and Wilsonville on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023 at Tualatin High School. Blake Benard for The Oregonian/OregonLive*

PREP FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Football: Tualatin High School tight end Jayden Fortier has been named football player of the year.

Forced to leave the 6A title game vs. Central Catholic with a knee injury that we now know is a torn ACL, Fortier’s still not quite over the way his season ended.

“I think someday soon,” Fortier said, “I’ll look back and really think about everything that our team has accomplished.”

In 2022, the Timberwolves hired coach Dominic Ferraro and proceeded to compete in two back-to-back state semifinals.

At 6’5”, Fortier rendered himself more of an offensive talent with his pass catching ability.

“I remember my linebacker’s coach saying, ‘God, if we can just get him out there, he’ll be dominant,’” said Ferraro, “and so we kind of pushed him out onto the field. I think it was in the second quarter, McNary (High School) tried to run to his side two times in a row and he blew it up both times.”

Embracing his ability as a two-way player has made Fortier’s skillset sharp on both offense and defense.

In addition to his work as an offensive player this season — 108 total touches for 1,411 all-purpose yards and 24 total touchdowns — Fortier was named Three Rivers League Defensive Player of the Year and unanimously selected as first-team wide receiver, earning the same distinction as outside linebacker.

Fortier will continue to play tight end in college at Arizona State, but his ability as an adaptable player will leave him quite the legacy as a Timberwolf.

“He understands all of the positions in our offense,” Ferraro said. “That’s something that for him, as he continues his career, will serve him well.”

Later, in 1986, the event was rebranded and renamed the Oregonian Banquet of Champions. In 2001, the event became the Oregon Sports Awards, presented by Nike.

Sport Oregon 11/30/23 Sport Oregon 11/30/23

College Football Focus: Ducks Get Rematch with Huskies in Pac-12 Championship Game — Sport Oregon Voices

Reser Stadium impresses, Linfield extends streak and Portland State turns up the offense in 2023

In what shaped up to be another terrific college football season in the state, one local team has dreams of a national championship while other programs turned in record-breaking seasons of their own.

With the conference season now complete, the No. 5 Oregon Ducks turn their attention to the Pac-12 Championship Game, where they face a tantalizing rematch with No. 3 Washington on Friday. The longtime rivals will kick off at 5 p.m. PT from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with conference supremacy on the line.

Not only does the game present the Ducks with the opportunity to add another Pac-12 title to their resume and to exact revenge on the Huskies, which handed Oregon its only loss of the season, but the game has a potential berth in the College Football Playoff on the line. Earlier this season, the Huskies (12-0, 9-0 Pac-12) defeated the Ducks in a 36-33 thriller in Seattle on Oct. 14. Washington comes into Friday’s game with a 62-48-5 edge in the all-time series between the two schools.

For the Ducks, the title game appearance marks their conference-leading sixth appearance in the Pac-12 Championship Game, which began in 2011. A win for Oregon on Friday would improve the team’s record to 5-1 in Pac-12 title games, and would give the Ducks their third conference title in the last five years.

The Ducks come into the championship game with an 11-1 record (8-1 Pac-12), marking the first time since 2019 the team reached 11 victories in a season, and the fourth time Oregon reached 11 regular-season wins in program history.

Beavers await bowl destination; Fans flock to Reser Stadium

After finishing the regular season with an 8-4 record (5-4 Pac-12), the Oregon State Beavers will learn their postseason bowl matchup this Sunday. That day, matchups for all 41 college football bowl games will be announced throughout the day.

Finishing the regular season ranked No. 20 in the College Football Playoff rankings, the Beavers are set to make a third straight bowl appearance this postseason. Oregon State is 12-7 all-time in bowl games, routing the Florida Gators 30-3 in last year’s Las Vegas Bowl.

On Tuesday, one of the most notable defensive players in Oregon State history, Trent Bray, was tabbed as the Beavers' next head coach. Bray's elevation comes after two-and-a-half seasons as Oregon State’s defensive coordinator, in which he turned the Beavers’ defense into one of the top units in the country.

While the Beavers turned in another successful campaign on the field this year, they also debuted their sparkling new digs. The 2023 season saw the completion of Reser Stadium, which was originally built in 1953. The extensive work to the on-campus stadium started after the 2021 season and was completed in time for Oregon State’s home-opening victory over UC Davis on Sept. 9.

And the new additions were a huge hit with fans.

“The first season with a completed Reser Stadium was a success from beginning to end as we sold out every home game,” said Sara Elcano, Oregon State’s senior associate athletic director for external relations.

Indeed, the Beavers averaged 36,969 fans per game at Reser Stadium this season, slightly above the listed capacity of 35,548 when factoring in standing-room-only tickets made available for some of the more appealing matchups, like the Nov. 18 game against Washington.

Among the many highlights included in the Reser Stadium completion project, the venue features a new west side that now includes a 360-degree open concourse to offer some of the best sightlines in the sport. New premium seating, LED lights and one of the largest video boards on the West Coast greatly add to the experience. The remodel included upgraded concession offerings, additional restrooms and many other fan amenities.

“The fan experience was enhanced for Beaver Nation with the addition of LED lights, Beaver Street, iconic signage for photo opportunities and new ticket product options, including an entire level of premium spaces,” Elcano added.

The utility of the newly completed Reser Stadium extends well beyond game day, though. The stadium is a year-round hub for student activity now, with the addition of an interactive Student Welcome Center that serves as an on-campus first stop for all prospective students and their families.

Linfield extends season-winning streak to 67 years

While they might not get as many headlines, the Linfield Wildcats continue to be the state’s most consistent college football team.

With their midseason victory over George Fox, the highly ranked Wildcats clinched their 67th consecutive winning season. The achievement extended the program’s all-time record for most winning seasons in a row, giving the Wildcats the longest string of winning seasons in college football history at any level. Linfield last had a losing season in 1955.

Unfortunately, the Wildcats fell just short of a fourth straight Northwest Conference title when they were narrowly defeated by Whitworth, 28-24, in the regular-season finale on Nov. 11. The loss ended Linfield’s 33-game conference win streak.

Portland State turns up the offense in 2023

With a 27-23 comeback win over Northern Colorado in the final game of the season, the Portland State Vikings wrapped up the 2023 season with a 5-6 record (4-4 Big Sky).

Among the highlights of their 2023 season, the Vikings finished third in the Big Sky in scoring (33.8 points per game), second in rushing (224.0 yards per game) and logged a big win over Eastern Washington to retain the Dam Cup. In that game, Portland State running back Jobi Malary scored six touchdowns. Earlier in the season, quarterback Dante Cachere was responsible for six touchdowns in a 45-21 win over Northern Arizona.

The Vikings, who played 24 true freshmen during the season, lose only 11 seniors heading into next year and figure to reap the rewards of added experience as they eye next season.

Sport Oregon 11/15/23 Sport Oregon 11/15/23

In Record Time, Rip City Remix Ready for Inaugural Season Home Opener Friday — Sport Oregon Voices

Remix ready to host first home game just 10 months after inception

When we last checked in with Portland’s newest professional sports team – the Rip City Remix – in May, there was a great deal of excitement building for the new NBA G League team, but details were still coming together. Heck, we didn’t even know the team name yet.

But oh have things changed in just a matter of months.

The Remix – the G League development team for the Portland Trail Blazers – is already off and running, winning their first two games of the 2023-24 season on the road this past weekend before falling to the Ontario Clippers Monday night. It’s staggering to think that things are already underway for the Remix. After all, the initial launch work for the Blazers’ G League team in the Portland market started in earnest just 10 months ago.

It makes it all the more impressive how far things have come in what’s unofficially thought to be record time for a professional basketball team launch. Since we last checked in, a number of important decisions have been made and milestone achievements crossed off the punch list. This list included the all-important team name and brand identity, which is meant to bring together creators, DIYers and makers of the community, while paying homage to Portland’s considerable professional basketball history and providing a space for today’s up-and-coming talent to shine.

Some of the team’s notable announcements and launch achievements over the past few months have included:

Venue
Team Name/Logo Unveil
Team President
General Manager
Head Coach
Support Staff
Jersey Unveil
Draft/Player Signings
Open Tryouts
TV Deal
Beer Collab
Schedule
Sponsors
Tickets
Website
Social Media
Fan Fest
First Road Game

Next up, there’s important history to be made as the Remix play host to the South Bay Lakers on Friday in the team’s first-ever home game. It figures to be a memorable night all around.

“Fans who come out this Friday for our first-ever home game get the chance to be a part of history,” said Hannah Grauert, president of the Remix. “It’s really special for our city, and it’s one of those ‘where were you’ moments for Portland.”

Remix home games will be played at the University of Portland’s Chiles Center, which will feature a capacity of approximately 2,000 seats for the G League games. Fans will have plenty to look forward to when they attend the home opener on Friday, including a commemorative Remix premium giveaway to all fans in attendance and exclusive season-opening merchandise to mark the historic occasion. For those fans not able to attend Friday’s game, these amenities will carry through to the team’s next game Saturday, Nov. 18, when the Ontario Clippers are in town.

Remix Ticket Info

Also, fans will be treated to a well-rounded array of things to expect at Remix games throughout the season, like a cool kid zone in partnership with the Oregon Zoo Foundation, complete with a bouncy house, a pop-a-shot game and coloring book activities. There’s also a beer garden and VIP area, and the team is excited about a large number of specialty theme nights to add to the fun this season. To fit with the vibe, the team will feature a rotating cast of guest DJs to provide the in-game musical entertainment.

And, hey, don’t sleep on the free parking and $7 Backwoods Brewing Remix IPAs available for each game. As a bonus, if the Remix score 100 or more points at any given home game, all fans in attendance receive free ice cream from Nico’s, one of the team’s founding partners.

The team is offering a variety of full-season, partial-season and group ticket packages for its inaugural season. When you can’t make it to the game, the Remix have partnered with FOX 12 Plus to televise all the team’s home games during their inaugural season.

In addition to FOX 12 Plus, the Remix have brought on a number of local partners as it starts the season, with many collaborating in support of the team. For instance, the team’s downtown hotel partner, Dossier, is carrying Remix IPA from Backwoods Brewing, as is The Record Pub, a Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood record store/bar.

“I’m really proud of the way we’ve been able to integrate our partners and create a community amongst our local partners, in particular” said Natalie Abele, director of partnerships for the Remix. “Everyone’s rolling up their sleeves to help make this a historic first season for our fans.”

The team leadership on the basketball side includes a pair of familiar faces, as Danny Connors was named the team’s general manager and former Trail Blazers assistant Jim Moran marks his return to Portland as the first head coach for the Remix. Connors has been part of the Trail Blazers organization since 2016, while Moran previously served as an assistant coach for the Trailer Blazers from 2015-21.

“Both Danny and Jim bring a great understanding of the game and the importance this team has to Portland,” Grauert said.

As the official development league for the NBA, the G League serves as a minor league companion to the NBA, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers and front-office personnel, alike, for the NBA. While the Trail Blazers have benefitted from certain player-development aspects of the G League on a more limited scale in the past, launching their own team comes with distinct advantages and conveniences that the team hasn’t had in the past. Namely, having their own G League team gives the Trail Blazers more control over the development of their players on the basketball side, and provides inherent efficiencies with the team playing its games and practicing in Portland, oftentimes alongside the coaches and players from the Trail Blazers.

Grauert says the University of Portland has been an invaluable partner throughout the accelerated timeline to launch, installing a new court and upgrading broadcast systems and facilities to meet league requirements for the Remix, among other accommodations.

“We’ve thrown a lot at them, and they’ve been extremely accommodating,” Grauert said of the University of Portland. “They’ve just been incredibly supportive since Day 1.”

For the Remix staff, it’s hard to believe the season is already here. There’s been a great deal of hard work put into the launch of the team, and now there’s a five-month season to witness the affordable and entertaining product on the court. There’s a little something for everyone during the inaugural Remix season, which includes 24 homes games at the Chiles Center, so be sure to check it out.

For More Information
To stay up to date on all things Rip City Remix this season, visit www.ripcityremix.com or follow the team on social media @ripcityremix.

NEWS

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Mt. Bachelor a Top Attraction for Beginners, Experts and Nature Lovers Alike — Sport Oregon Voices

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Fuel the Future benefiting SHE FLIES, Sport Oregon Foundation to be Held May 10 — Sport Oregon Voices

2024 SHE FLIES Community Grant Application to Open After Awarding Over $100,000 in 2023 Through the Sport Oregon Foundation

State-of-the-Art Rogue X Officially Open for Business in Medford — Sport Oregon Voices

Breaking Down Barriers in Athletics at Adaptive Sports Northwest — KATU

A Note from CEO Jim Etzel

Hard Work Pays Off for the Student-Athletes Recognized in the Oregon Sports Awards Fall Season

College Football Focus: Ducks Get Rematch with Huskies in Pac-12 Championship Game — Sport Oregon Voices

In Record Time, Rip City Remix Ready for Inaugural Season Home Opener Friday — Sport Oregon Voices

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