It is an Action-Packed Summer

With summer now in full swing, the San Jose Sports Authority is excited to share with you our busy calendar of events.

As you may recall, the United State Olympic Committee announced last year that San Jose will host Team Processing at San Jose State University for the U.S. athletes on their way to Beijing. We are working closely with the US Olympic Committee and SJSU in preparation for their arrival along with managing the volunteer workforce during the nearly month long process.

As with all of our big events, it's been a team effort, with lots of organizations coming together on the Local Organizing Committee, which includes the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mayor & City Council plus San Jose State, San Jose Downtown Association and NBC11. Many thanks to all for their collaboration on the many activities leading up the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

A special note: please keep your eye out for downtown banners - welcoming and saluting the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team – which go up in the coming weeks. The banners were made possible with funding from the San Jose Redevelopment Agency, and they'll be a great way to show our City’s support and enthusiasm for the athletes and Olympic ideals.

We have also partnered with NBC11 to build an Olympic “medals podium” that will travel to community events and festivals throughout the summer, so that anyone can experience what it’s like to stand on the winner’s podium and photograph their own “Olympic” moment. It will be fun for kids and grownups alike.  The medals podium will visit most major events in downtown San Jose; a complete schedule is listed below in our calendar of events

In addition to all the activities leading up to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, we welcome the USA Fencing Summer National Championships (taking place now), the North American Roller Hockey Championships, and the LIVESTRONG Challenge.

It's a full calendar this summer, with something for everyone. We'll see you there!

Patricia Ernstrom
Executive Director

On Tuesday, June 24, the San Jose Sports Authority partnered with Mayor Chuck Reed, the City of San Jose, City Council, and San Jose State University to host a ceremony to raise the U.S. Olympic flag and deliver a proclamation in recognition of the City's Olympic ties.

NBC11’s Kris Sanchez served as Master of Ceremonies for the ceremony with Mayor Reed and Stanford Director of Athletics and USOC Board member Bob Bowlsby presiding over the flag raising. Other speakers included San Jose State University Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Veril Phillips, SJSU Athletic Director Tom Bowen, and San Jose Sports Authority Executive Director Patricia Ernstrom.

Olympians Anne Cribbs (1960 Swimming), Yosh Uchida (1964 Judo Coach), Mike Swain (1980, '84, '88, '92 Judo), Chris Dorst (1980 and ’84 Water Polo), and Gillian Boxx (1992 Softball) joined in the festivities.

The flag raising ceremony and proclamation are a celebration of San Jose's Olympic history, as well as its link to the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, China.

San Jose State will host all U.S. athletes as they are processed before leaving for the Games. San Jose will be home to the first-ever U.S. Olympian Reunion, and NBC11 will broadcast an Olympic Opening Ceremonies Viewing Party in St. James Park on August 8th.

Visit www.sjsa.org/sjsalutes08.html to view pictures from the June 24 ceremony at City Hall.

Click here to read the San Jose Mercury News coverage from the June 24 ceremony.

Nearly 900 U.S. Olympic Team members, coaches and officials will gather by teams at the university starting in mid July through early August.  Athletes will participate in a variety of activities including team briefings, team and individual photos, apparel distribution, medical screenings and media training before departing for Beijing, where the Summer Olympic Games will be held August 8-24.  

“Going through team processing is a significant, special moment in the life of an Olympian,” said Jim Scherr, USOC Chief Executive Officer, an Olympic wrestler who competed in the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea. “We are excited to come to San Jose, and from here, to prepare and send our Olympic Team to Beijing. San Jose and San Jose State have a rich Olympic heritage and have long been supportive of America’s Olympic movement. Because of this, along with the university’s excellent location and facilities, the USOC was pleased to select San Jose State for our 2008 team processing.”

Preparing to welcome the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team marks another milestone in a very successful relationship with the U.S. Olympic Committee.  The San Jose Sports Authority is managing the volunteer workforce for Team Processing this summer as well as the Local Organizing Committee. San Jose Sports Authority is proud to stand with its partners at San Jose State and the City of San Jose, having established San Jose as a frequent host of Olympic sports events including national championships and Olympic Trials.

At the conclusion of Team Processing, the San Jose Sports Authority is working with NBC11 and community partners to sponsor the 2008 Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies Community Viewing Celebration in St. James Park on August 8th.

Visit NBC11’s Olympic website to learn more about local Olympians to watch for and other community activities: www.nbcolympics.com/kntv/localathletes/index.html.

The U.S. Olympians Association, in partnership with its Northern California Chapter and the Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee, will hold the first-ever U.S. Olympian Reunion July 25-27 in San Jose. U.S. Olympians from past Olympic Games will visit San Jose to share memories and renew friendships. The delegation will visit the Team Processing Center at San Jose State University and participate in a variety of social events over the course of this special weekend.

Fencers from across the United States are in San Jose for the USA Fencing Summer National Championships. Come check out the
action now through July 10 as fencers compete in divisions ranging from age 10 to 60 plus, as well as wheelchair, cadet, junior and team competitions. All events are free and take place at the McEnery Convention Center. For more information, visit www.usfencing.org.

The world’s largest competitive roller hockey tournament will stage its 2008 championships at the new Silver Creek Sportsplex, located at 800 Embedded Way, July 11-27. Over 400 teams and 5,000 players ages 6 to 35+, having qualified at regional events across the United States and Canada, will battle for roller hockey supremacy at the newest recreational sports complex in San Jose. For more information, visit www.narch.com.

San Jose will be the site of the LIVESTRONG Challenge, the Lance Armstrong Foundation's signature fundraising event, on Saturday, July 12 (registration and packet pick-up) and Sunday, July 13 (cycling & run/walk events and festival).  

Inspired by the hope, courage and perseverance of Lance and the more than 10 million Americans affected by cancer, the LIVESTRONG Challenge participants will take to the streets on bicycles and on foot to raise funds and awareness for the fight against cancer. Already a successful event in Austin, Philadelphia and Portland, Ore., this is the first time a LIVESTRONG Challenge has ever been staged in northern California.

The San Jose event will feature a 5K run/walk and a choice of 10, 40, 70 and 100-mile bike rides. The start and finish, as well as a festival area, will be located in downtown San Jose. For more information, visit www.livestrongchallenge.org.  

Special Note: The LIVESTRONG Challenge is still seeking volunteer course marshals for July 13.  If you can help, please sign up today by visiting: http://volunteer.livestrong.org/site/c.kkIPL6MWJxE/b.4010913/apps/ka/go/volunteerReg.asp

The Applied Materials First Tee of San Jose 2008 Invitational presented by SAP will be held on July 20 -21 at CordeValle, A Rosewood Resort. 

The Invitational is the primary fundraiser for The First Tee of San Jose.  The First Tee impacts the lives of young people by providing educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.  The San Jose chapter has introduced life and golf skills to over 1,000 young people on the course and over 4,000 through outreach programs since its inception.  

The First Tee of San Jose is now in the midst of its summer instructional season at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course and Los Lagos Golf Course, with participants ranging in age from 7 – 18 years old. For more information, visit www.thefirstteesanjose.org.