ANAHEIM, CA - (September 5, 2008) -
| WHAT: |
The City of Anaheim will host a community celebration to honor the Olympic gold medal winning U.S. Men’s National Volleyball team. The community is invited to attend the program and to get autographs from the players. Media is invited to cover the event.
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| WHEN: |
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
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| WHERE: |
GardenWalk (in the Gala Garden, at the bottom of the escalator)
321 W. Katella Ave. (between Harbor Blvd. and Anaheim Blvd.)
Anaheim, CA 92802
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| WHO: |
- Members of the 2008 Olympic gold medal winning U.S. Men’s National Volleyball team, and coaches
- Anaheim Mayor and City Council members
- USA Volleyball national and local sponsors
- Other invited guests to be announced
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| CONTACT: |
Ruth Ruiz, 714-765-5060 office, or 714-420-7797 cell
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| BACKGROUND: |
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In 2006, the City of Anaheim welcomed the U.S. Men’s National team as they moved its training headquarters to Anaheim from Colorado Springs, Colo. The move proved to be beneficial. On Aug. 24, the team won the gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
The team represented the only country in this year’s Olympic Men’s Volleyball competition to go undefeated (8-0). Led by head coach Hugh McCutcheon, the team beat #1 world ranked Brazil in the finals, handing Brazil its second loss of the Games and a silver medal. Team USA is currently ranked #2 in the world. The volleyball gold medal is the first for the United States since 1988 and the first medal since 1992, when it won bronze.
Clay Stanley, playing the opposite position, was named the tournament MVP and finished as the best scorer with 146 points on 116 kills, 15 blocks and 15 aces. He was also the leading server. Rich Lambourne, from Tustin, Calif., was Team USA’s best digger (1.94 digs/set), best receiver (63.91 success percent), and best libero (60.81 success percent). Lloy Ball was the United States’ best setter (6.30 assists/set), and David Lee, from Alpine, Calif., was its best blocker (1.00 blocks/set).
From the moment the team announced its move to Anaheim and its new home training facility, the American Sports Centers, the City embraced the team and the sport with open arms. Local businesses immediately offered their support, and serves as a partner to national sponsors. Community members are embracing the sport of volleyball, evidenced by the large crowd at the City’s send-off celebration prior to the Olympic Games. Anaheim is proud to call the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball squad – the Olympic gold medal winner – one of the City’s home teams.
More information to follow. |
Media Contact: Ruth Ruiz 714.765.5060 more city news
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ABOUT ANAHEIM - The City of Anaheim, founded in 1857, is one of the nation's premier municipalities and is California's 10th most populous city. Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 345,500 residents and more than 3,200 City employees. The municipal corporation's annual budget is $1.4 billion. Anaheim supports a thriving business community with companies such as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., L-3 Communications, Pacific Sunwear, and Disneyland Resort. Successful sports franchises call Anaheim home, including Angels Baseball, Anaheim Ducks, the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winning U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team, and the 2008 Olympic Silver Medal winning U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, the largest on the west coast, Honda Center, The Grove of Anaheim, The Shops at Anaheim GardenWalk, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Annually, Anaheim welcomes millions of visitors to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and play. For more information, please visit www.anaheim.net.
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