USA Team Handball Club National Championships are currently underway at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

Some of the best Men’s and Women’s Team Handball clubs will compete for top honors, through Sunday, May 19. The tournament encompasses a variety of talent levels, from an open format to qualifying, elite competitors from the U.S. and abroad. Twenty-eight teams, consisting of more than 350 athletes, will play more than 60 matches of the Olympic sport which is gaining momentum across the nation. Matches will begin up until 7:15 p.m. on Friday, from 7:45 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, and from 7:45 a.m. on Sunday until the Men’s Elite Finals at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 19.

Team Handball is a popular international sport played by 19 million people in more than 180 countries, and has been an Olympic event since 1939. The sport moved indoors at the 1972 Summer Olympics. USA Team Handball is a member of the International Handball Federation and the Pan American Team Handball Federation, and was certified by the United States Olympic Committee in 2008. The mission of USA Team Handball is to develop, promote, educate and grow the sport of Team Handball at all levels in the United States, and to enable United States athletes to achieve sustained competitive excellence to win medals in international and Olympic competition.

All matches are free for public viewing.

Elite competitor matches begin on Friday at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; Saturday at 10:15 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; and on Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and the Elite Finals at 1:00 p.m.

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Former National Football League star Terrell Owens played in six Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl during his 16-year NFL career, and he tried his hand at another premier event as he made his United States Bowling Congress Open Championships debut at the National Bowling Stadium on Wednesday.

The 39-year-old right-hander made his first march down the tournament’s famed Center Aisle and helped Bowlers Journal International of Chicago to games of 835, 850 and 880 for a 2,565 team total. Owens rolled games of 185, 129 and 161 for a 475 series.

The team included Professional Bowlers Association Commissioner Tom Clark, Mike Jakubowski and Jason Thomas, who are the on-air personalities for Xtra Frame, the PBA’s online bowling channel and USBC Open Championships titlist Ed Baur.

Owens is the celebrity owner of the Dallas Strikers, one of eight five-player teams in the new PBA League, so he has spent a lot of time around bowling this year. When the opportunity arose for him to hit the lanes at the Open Championships, he was excited about the unique experience.

“The first game went pretty well,” said Owens, who was drafted in the third round of the 1996 draft by the San Francisco 49ers. “I’m still new to this, so when I saw some of the guys switching balls, I felt I should switch, too. I probably should have stayed with the same ball. I ended up going back to the first ball I used and made some other minor adjustments with my feet and eyes.”

Since becoming involved with the PBA League, Owens has been more committed to improving his game and has worked with several coaches and PBA bowlers. The five-time first-team All-Pro wide receiver has spent time with world-class coach Mark Baker and 37-time PBA Tour titlist Norm Duke, and he compares the effort required to succeed on the lanes to the dedication needed on the gridiron.

“It’s all about repetition,” said Owens, who caught nine passes for the Philadelphia Eagles in a loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX. “You’re only going to get out of it what you put in. I’m starting to get in a rhythm and starting to bowl a little more, so it’ll come in time. I just tried to focus on some of the things I’ve been taught and dialed in on that.”

Owens Open Championships debut was featured live on BowlTV as thousands of viewers tuned in to see the football star turned bowler. There also was a crowd gathered around to watch him perform in person. He was excited to make his tournament debut and compete against the top bowlers in the country.

“I have a lot of stuff going on right now, but there happened to be a break in my schedule,” Owens said. “I wanted to experience this tournament, and the experience was good. I’m really into bowling, and I like it a lot.”

Thomas led Bowlers Journal International with a 542 series and was followed by Jakubowski (534), Clark (524) and Baur (490).

Presenting sponsors for the 2013 USBC Open Championships include Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno.

The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority announced today that five volleyball tournaments, showcasing international and national competitors, will be held in Reno Tahoe USA over the course of the next year, all of which are associated with USA Volleyball.

“Volleyball is an exciting sport with a broad, international following among high-caliber athletes of all ages,” said RSCVA President and CEO Christopher Baum. “This is a great opportunity to bring in thousands of visitors, who can enjoy the high quality of the region’s sporting facilities, while experiencing the many family friendly attractions throughout Reno Tahoe. This also shows that Reno Tahoe is gaining momentum with major players in the sports industry, such as USA Volleyball, and we hope to continue improving our brand as a sports destination.”

The Northern California Volleyball Association’s Far Western National Qualifier is currently underway at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. The 12-15 age group competed last weekend, and the competition continues, April 26-28, 2013, with girls’ club teams which have a range of up to 18-years-old. The NCVA Far Western National Qualifier, which hosts 5,000 athletes, returns in late March and early April in 2014. The Girls Power League Tournament marks NCVA’s return, May 10-12, 2013, when nearly 5,000 athletes will compete at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. USA Volleyball’s Boys’ Junior National Championships includes an additional 5,000 athletes, and will be held, June 27-July 4, 2013, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. The National Collegiate Volleyball Federation will also hold its national championships at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center from March 30-April 7, 2014, bringing 6,500 competitors to Reno Tahoe.

A highlight of the upcoming tournaments, the Bulgarian Men’s National Team will take on the U.S. Men’s National Team at the Reno Events Center in the 2013 FIVB World League Volleyball tournament, June 28-29. Tickets for this international competition can be purchased at:

http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?tm_link=tm_homeA_header_search&aid=1687111&user_input=FIVB+world+lea&q=FIVB%3A+Volleyball+World+League

“USA Volleyball is excited to be bringing FIVB World League men’s volleyball to Reno for the first time,” said USA Volleyball National Team Events and Marketing Manager Melissa Weymouth. “The U.S. and Bulgarian players, who were competing in London last summer, will be bringing that level of competition to the Reno Events Center. The matches will provide great entertainment for the entire family.”

These five USA Volleyball events are slated to bring nearly 50,000 athletes, guests, family members and staff to Reno Tahoe USA, accounting for more than 45,000 room nights and an estimated economic impact of $32.8 million.

The Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority has gained a recent increase in sports related business in Reno Tahoe USA. In 2012 alone, less than two years after hiring a dedicated sales person to focus on the sports industry, the RSCVA signed agreements to bring 12 established events to the destination during 2013.

“It’s encouraging to see that more and more sports groups are finding an attractive option here in Reno Tahoe USA,” said Christopher Baum, RSCVA President and CEO. “This family-friendly destination offers an array of world-class indoor and outdoor sporting facilities, as well as a host of restaurants, entertainment and natural beauty that combine to make a great experience for athletic, active visitors.”

The 500,000 sq. ft. Reno-Sparks Convention Center is currently hosting the USA Fencing March North American Cup, which runs through March 18. The USA Team Handball Championships will be held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center May 17-19, and will also be returning in 2014. And the USA Volleyball Boy’s Nationals will be held at the facility starting on June 25.

The Reno Events Center, located in the heart of downtown Reno, will house the international FIVB Volleyball World League tournament event on June 28 and 29, when USA takes on Bulgaria. The NBA Development League Showcase returned to the Reno Events Center in January, marking the first time the Showcase has been held in the same city in back-to-back years.

Triple Crown Sports has four tournaments scheduled for Golden Eagle Regional Park in 2013. The Triple Crown 4th of July Fireworks baseball tournament, the TC/USA Nationals softball tournament and the Triple Crown Sports 14U Open Western World Series will all be held in July. And the Triple Crown Reno-SparksTober Showcase will be held at the sports complex in October as well.

The 2013 Nevada State Gymnastics Meet will be held at the Grand Sierra Resort, beginning on March 21, and the resort previously hosted the USA Boxing Junior World Team Open in January. This December, the US Sports Congress will also be held in the hotel’s exhibit area.

“Booking all these events during 2012 shows that we’re focusing our efforts in the right places,” added Baum. “Event producers enjoy the flexibility of our facilities, and participants and their families appreciate the great diversity of fun activities available when the competition is over.”

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As Safari Club International Convention Attendees pass lions, elephants, and handcrafted specialty items, cell phones are in hand, capturing it all on camera.

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Tuesday night’s NBA Development League Showcase game between the Los Angeles D-Fenders and the Iowa Energy will be sponsored by the NBA D-League.

Fans from all over can come enjoy the game compliments of the NBA D-League, and enjoy a total of 1,000 free hot dogs given to those in attendance, as well as the opportunity to win NBA and NBA D-League prizes; including, tickets to an upcoming Sacramento Kings game, autographed basketballs, and tickets to an upcoming Bighorns game.

“The NBA D-League has been so happy with the hospitality of our community that they wanted to say thanks,” said Bighorns owner, Herb Santos, Jr. “We want to invite fans from all over northern Nevada to come and experience NBA-caliber basketball.”
To redeem the complimentary tickets, fan can go to the Reno Events Center box office, starting on 6 p.m. Tuesday night.
The four-day, 16-game NBA Development League Showcase, which features all 16 NBA D-League teams, tipped off today at the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nev., home of the NBA D-League’s Reno Bighorns. This season’s event will also include a three-point shooting competition and a slam dunk contest and, for the first time, all 16 games, as well as the skills competitions will be televised nationally, with two games airing on CBS Sports Network and the remaining 14 being broadcast by NBA TV and on the NBA D-League’s YouTube channel.

The Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) will host the ninth annual NBA Development League Showcase at the Reno Events Center. The 2013 Showcase, which will feature all 16 NBA D-League teams, will run from Jan. 7-10.

“This January, the eyes of the NBA will be on Reno,” said Reno Bighorns owner, Herb Santos, Jr. “For the second year in a row, Reno will roll out the red carpet for NBA team GMs and scouts as well as NBA D-League teams and fans from all over the United States. Basketball fans will be able to watch their favorite NBA D-League players display their skills and show why they are ready for the call to the NBA.”

Conceived prior to the 2004-05 season, the NBA D-League Showcase provides an opportunity for NBA D-League players and coaches to perform in front of NBA general managers, player personnel executives and scouts over four consecutive days at one location.

“We are excited to bring the basketball community back to Reno for this year’s NBA D-League Showcase,” Chris Alpert, NBA D-League Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel said. “While the event provides our players with a tremendous opportunity to compete in front of NBA scouts, it also highlights one of our great markets. The Bighorns did a fantastic job hosting the event last season, and the Reno Event Center is a great setting for the basketball community to see the caliber of talent in the NBA D-League first-hand.”

“Hosting the NBA Development League Showcase for the second year in row is a terrific honor for Reno Tahoe USA. Lucky residents and visitors will be able to watch talented athletes- many of whom will soon join top NBA teams- up close and personal,” said Christopher Baum, President & CEO of the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, adding,  ”We couldn’t be more excited about the Showcase returning to Northern Nevada.” The 2013 NBA D-League Showcase is estimated to generate direct, local economic impact in excess of $1 million.

CBS Sports Network hits the hardwood for its first season of NBA Development League coverage with two games from the NBA D-League Showcase. The two featured games will be on Jan. 7 as the Springfield Armor visits the Reno Bighorns (7:00pm, PT), and Jan. 8 as the Los Angeles D-Fenders takes on the Iowa Energy (7:00pm, PT). Additionally, CBS Sports Network will provide exclusive coverage of the NBA D-League 3-Point Shootout and the NBA D-League Slam Dunk Contest that will air on Thursday, Jan. 10 (4:00pm, PT).

Twenty percent of the players on 2012-13 NBA start-of-season rosters had NBA D-League experience, many of whom participated in an NBA D-League Showcase since its inception in 2005. During its eight-year history, more than 30 NBA D-League players have earned GATORADE Call-Ups from the NBA D-League to the NBA during or immediately after the NBA D-League Showcase; while an even larger number benefited from the exposure afforded them at the NBA D-League Showcase.

Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com/renobighorns, the Bighorns front office at (775) 853-8220, Silver Legacy Box Office and the Reno Events Center Box Office.

2013 NBA D-League Showcase Schedule (all times local)

Monday, Jan. 7

Rio Grande Valley Vipers vs. Los Angeles D-Fenders, 10am

Idaho Stampede vs. Texas Legends, 12:45pm

Sioux Falls Skyforce vs. Bakersfield Jam, 3:30pm

Reno Bighorns vs. Springfield Armor, 7pm

Tuesday, Jan. 8

Austin Toros vs. Santa Cruz Warriors, 10am

Canton Charge vs. Idaho Stampede, 12:45pm

Maine Red Claws vs. Tulsa 66ers, 3:30pm

Los Angeles D-Fenders vs. Iowa Energy, 7pm

Wednesday, Jan. 9

Fort Wayne Mad Ants vs. Rio Grande Valley Vipers, 10am

Springfield Armor vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce, 12:45pm

Bakersfield Jam vs. Maine Red Claws, 3:30pm

Slam Dunk Contest and 3-Point Shootout, 7:00pm

Erie BayHawks vs. Reno Bighorns, 8:30pm

Thursday, Jan. 10

Tulsa 66ers vs. Fort Wayne Mad Ants 10am

Santa Cruz Warriors vs. Canton Charge, 12:45pm

Iowa Energy vs. Austin Toros, 3:30pm

Texas Legends vs. Erie BayHawks, 7pm

The Greatest Hunters’ Convention in the World is here in Reno, January 23. Are you ready?

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