Oregon Sports Exporting Best Practices

Published on July 11, 2011 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

It shouldn’t be a surprise given the state’s obsession with sustainability, but Oregon continues to set the bar for following and exporting best practices related to the triple bottom line. The Trailblazers made a splash early last year when they earned LEED Gold Certification for the retrofit of the Rose Garden Arena. The Timbers are following suit, currently targeting LEED Silver for the renovations of Jeld-Wen Field, and both teams have been recognized for their innovative and league leading efforts to mitigate the impact of their games, fans, and travel.

Pieces of old banners and ribbons from unused medals, which have been made into bags, purses and pillows to be sold via the Flying Pig e-store to benefit a local non-profit.

Not content to keep this idea local, industry leaders are eager to export best practices. The Council for Responsible Sport, started in 2008, is a rating system for sporting events that awards credits for various initiatives. From recycling to carpooling, events receive a higher rating for better performance. Cincinnati’s Flying Pig Marathon was recently awarded an innovative credit for repurposing old banners and ribbons from unused medals, into bags, purses and pillows to be sold via the Flying Pig e-store to benefit a local non-profit

And, coming up in August, The Green Sports Alliance will host the first Green Sports Summit in Portland. According to their website;

“The Green Sports Alliance Summit is a three day executive summit designed for leaders from the sports community. The event will use a mix of stories, case studies, lectures, panels, breakout groups, and site visits to introduce the participants to a range of thinking and best practices around sustainability that produce bottom line benefits while demonstrating responsible corporate and community citizenship.”

It should be a fun event, and it’s great to see the word get out!

I’m thrilled to see sporting teams, local non-profits, and businesses from the Oregon community showing their leadership in their pursuit of sustainability. Have you heard about other organizations that are leading the way in our community? Share your favorites in the comments section below!

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Published on May 21, 2011 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

If 8 months of rain isn’t a good enough excuse to get you outside this summer, here are a few more reasons. The Oregon Sports Authority needs your help to put on some of this state’s best summer events.

Here are just a few events where they could use an extra hand:

2011 USA Diving Region 10 Championships | June 10-12
The Tualatin Hills Dive Club is seeking volunteer support during the USA Diving Region 10 Championships at Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center in Beaverton.  Volunteers are needed in the concession stand on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with shifts each day from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm and 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm.  Volunteers are also needed to assist in the scoring of the divers, who are competing for spots in the 2012 Olympic trials.  Please contact Chris Quinn at 503.709.5452 or cadq1@comcast.net for more information.

Playworks Portland Corporate Kickball Tournament | June 17
Join area businesses for a fun afternoon of kickball competition at PCC Rock Creek in support of Playworks Portland.  Now operating in 14 Portland elementary schools, Playworks is a nonprofit organization that supports learning by providing safe, healthy and inclusive play and physical activity to schools at recess and throughout the entire school day.  Volunteers are needed for the following:

Set Up Crew and Registration
Help set up tables/chairs and tents and assist with registration
Shift: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (5 volunteers)

Team Liaisons
Serve as team’s point person to help to keep players hydrated and happy
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm (4 volunteers)
2:00 pm – 4:00pm  (4 volunteers)

Break Down Crew
Break down and help clean up after the event
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm (4 volunteers)

Sign Up to Volunteer!
Select Portland, check Event Support and specify Corporate Kickball under additional interests.

Playworks Portland Corporate Kickball Tournament Details


Iron Girl Women’s Triathlon | June 25-26
The first annual Iron Girl Portland triathlon at Hagg Lake in Washington County will feature a scenic course with rolling hills and an out and back run in the park. The Iron Girl experience provides women with the perfect platform for first timers and experienced athletes to reach their personal bests. Non-profits looking for a group volunteer opportunity may contact volunteer coordinator Seth Grant at nwrockdoc@gmail.com.

More Info/Sign Up!

Revolution3 Triathlon | July 8-10
Hundreds of volunteers are needed to support the Portland area’s first 70.3-mile triathlon, which will start and finish at Waterfront Park. Revolution3 is a groundbreaking triathlon series with nationwide TV coverage, a first-class event e xperience and an interactive, family-friendly environment for spectators. Top professional and amateur triathletes will swim, bike and run through magnificent scenery in Portland, Lake Oswego, West Linn and rural Clackamas County.

More Info/Sign Up!

Groups of 15 or more can raise funds by volunteering through the Revolution3 Charity Donation program. Revolution3 is also seeking a volunteer coordinator to help recruit and organize volunteers.  Contact lj@rev3tri.com for more info.


Timbers’ Corporate Cup

Published on April 20, 2011 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Today, the Timbers announced their inaugural Corporate Cup. On the weekend of July 8-10 and July 30, the organization will host a corporate focused, men and women adult 11 v 11 tourney. Proceeds will benefit a local non-profit and Timber Pillar Partners, Portland Youth Builders. Whether you’re at a casual or advanced futbol level, this tourney caters to both with recreational and advanced groups.

The championship game will be held at JELD-WEN field prior to the Timbers v. Toronto FC match on July 30th. The tourney champs will receive VIP seats at the game.

More info on the tournament can be found at portlandtimbers.com.

Upcoming July Events

Published on July 2, 2010 in Events. 0 Comments

Get outside, enjoy the weather and join us at any of the awesome sporting events in July. These are just a taste of what Oregon and Washington have to offer in July. Visit the Oregon Sports Authority website for a full list of events.

7/2 – FIMBA Pan-American MaxiBasketball Championship

- Nike Track Nationals

7/3 – Umpteenth Annual Festival of Free Flight

7/4 – Foot Traffic Flat Half & Full Marathon

- Spark Your Heart 5K

- 11th Annual 4th of July Run

- Firecracker Ride

7/10 – Smith Rock 10K/Half Marathon

- Gatorade Free Flow Tour

7/11 – Soccer City Celebration:  World Cup Final Sports Festival

7/12 – Urban Trail Series

7/16 – Cycle Oregon

7/17 – Portland Timbers v. Manchester City

- Portland Highland Games

- Stumptown Challenge

7/18 – Up Paddle Summer Sunday

- Ocean Fest Kayak Race

Countdown to the World Cup (team 1)

Published on June 10, 2010 in World Cup 2010. 1 Comment

We finally made it.Tomorrow the World Cup begins and the planet’s most popular game, most exciting month will captivate all of us. Thanks for following the countdown over the past few months. Now we’ll have to watch and see if rankings even matter.

Who will raise the cup in 2010?

Brazil (FIFA ranking:  1) – Brazil took over the World’s #1 ranking several weeks ago after impressive qualifying and friendly matches. Brazil is always in contention for the tournament title being the only country to appear in every World Cup. They’ve struggled to regain their ’90s form when they were literally unstoppable. This decade’s Brazilian squad is much younger, quicker, and hungrier to win their title back…and they do think its their title. As the saying goes,

“The English invented in, the Brazilians perfected it.”

We’ll see if they can stay perfect in South Africa.

Soccer City Celebration

Published on June 9, 2010 in Events and World Cup 2010. 0 Comments

Not sure where you’re heading to watch the game on Saturday. Join the Oregon Sporty Authority at “Soccer City Celebration”. Where else would you be able to watch it on a 12′ by 17′ screen. Join us at Director Park on Saturday at 11 am.

Soccer City Celebration

At halftime, don’t miss out on the Timber’s unveiling the team’s new crest!

No worries if you can’t make it to the games this weekend. Join us and 95.5  The Game for any of the World Cup matches throughout the tournament.

World Cup Viewing Party Schedule.

Countdown to the World Cup (teams 2 & 3)

Published on June 7, 2010 in World Cup 2010. 0 Comments

5 MORE DAYS! Portland is about to erupt.

Injuries are still the main topic heading into the tournament. This past week’s most notable injuries were to Ferdinand (out for WC), Drogba (questionable), and Altiadore (probable). Lets hope this trend doesn’t continue.

Portugal (FIFA ranking:  3) – I was surprised to see Portugal at #3. Ronaldo is the Lebron James of futbol as even his teammates call him Superman. He can make any defender look silly and can finish strong in the air and by firing a laser from 30 yrds out. Still, Portugal hasn’t accomplished anything in recent years. Two years ago in the Euro Cup, they were knocked out in the group stage. In Germany 4 years ago, they were unable to capitalize on a stacked roster. C dot’s supporting cast will have to fill more of a role than Robin as they might struggle to survive the group stage with Brazil and Ivory Coast.

Spain (FIFA ranking:  2) – Spain should be 1b rather than 2.  The squad already conquered Europe in the ’09 Cup and are looking for the World Title this year in South Africa. Spain plays the game beautifully with double digit passing combos lulling their opponents to sleep. Spain is strong as every position. Puyol and Ramos are two of the best backs in the world and the front line has enough young talent (Torres, Silva, Xavi, Fabregas, and Iniesta just to name a few) to keep them in contention for World Cup’s to come. But Spain’s not looking into the future–they want to win now. Don’t be surprised in this team is hoisting up the trophy come July 11th!

Countdown to the World Cup (teams 4 – 5)

Published on June 1, 2010 in World Cup 2010. 0 Comments

Good to finally have the US roster squared away. Bradley added some surprise names, but the core of the team were obvious choices. Hopefully, the d will show up better than then Czech Republic game.

Italy (FIFA ranking: 5) – Its easy to forget this is the reining World Cup Champion. This team is much older than previous years but still stacked with talent. Italy should easily pass through the group stage but, with everybody looking to knock out the champs, the squad might have a rough time making it any farther. They’ll look to build off their success surprising in 2008 Euro Cup.

Netherlands (FIFA ranking: 4) – Here’s my pick for the tourney. The Dutch are loaded with talent like van Persie, Robben, Sneijder, Kuyt and Babel (too bad Edgar Davids didn’t have kind of talent to play with). The squad plays a beautiful, free flowing style called Totaalvoetbal, and, when in sync, it is almost impossible to defend. This team will be looking to bring home the country’s first ever WC trophy. Hopefully, the team will perform better than in the Euro Cup 2 years ago. They blew everybody out until the quarter finals when they were tripped up by Russia and Arshavin.

Countdown to the World Cup (teams 6 & 7)

Published on May 21, 2010 in World Cup 2010. 0 Comments

22 more days until the World Cup! The hype for the game is crazy as every other commercial on ESPN is World Cup related. I can’t take it, I’m too anxious so lets get down to business…

Don’t forget to watch the Champions League Final Saturday…Bayern Munich vs. Inter Milan

Argentina (FIFA ranking: 7) – Prior to qualifying, Argentina was clearly the best team in the world…then they start playing other national teams. Argentina has unbelievable talent, and it’d be idiotic to say this team doesn’t have a chance to win it all. With players like Messi, Tevez, Zanneti, Mascherano, Aguero and Maxi Rodriguez they’ll always have a chance. I think their confidence was shaken when they started losing to teams like Columbia, Bolivia and Peru. Regardless, Maradona and his squad squeaked in on the last day of qualifiers and will be a force in the tourney if they play up to their potential.

Germany (FIFA ranking: 6) – I’ve never been a huge fan of Germany, so I can’t say I was disappointed to see Ballack go down (not that I’d wanna see any player hurt). Even though I’m not a fan of Ballack, Klose and Schweinsteiger are just nasty. They do have a pretty easy group with Australia and possibly Ghana being the closest competition.

Countdown to the World Cup (teams 8 & 10)

Published on May 13, 2010 in World Cup 2010. 1 Comment

Now we’re getting to the good stuff.  The remaining teams are all legit contenders for the Cup. They’ll all most likely breeze through the group stage (except England, the US will have something to do with that).

Oddly enough 2 teams in FIFA’s top 11 are not in the WC (Russia and Croatia).

France (FIFA ranking:  10) – France had a controversial end to WC qualifiers. If you don’t remember “Le Hand of God”, the most famous handball since Maradona, check out the video below to refresh your memory. France should have cruised into the WC yet instead they struggled with inferior opponents during qualifying. So even with a stacked team on paper with Ribery, Henry (still capable even though he’s losing form), Anelka…the list goes on, we still can’t be too sure what to expect from this squad.

Le Hand of God

England (FIFA ranking:  8) – Well England is almost certain to survive the group stage, we’ll just hope they’re 2nd to the US. Although this squad is aging in several key positions (mid and defense especially), they’re stacked with talent and will no doubt be in contention for the title. The English will look for Rooney, the British Bulldog of futbol, to clear them a path to the title game.