Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and USAW Ohio named Nationals Events Organization of the Year

The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission (GCSC) and USAW Ohio have been named the 2008 National Events Organization of the Year by USA Wrestling, the national governing body for amateur wrestling in the United States.

The GCSC hosted the University Nationals alongside the FILA Cadet Nationals in 2007 and 2008. This marked a change in venue for the event after it was held in the Chicago area starting in 1992.

"We are honored and excited to have been given the USA Wrestling National Events Organization of the Year. It means a lot to us as we pride ourselves on the ability to help create great events and we truly value our relationship with USA Wrestling," said David Gilbert, President of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

Both years the event was hosted in Akron, Ohio, entry records were set. In 2007, five event records were set including: largest University freestyle field (490), largest University field (freestyle and Greco-Roman combined) (604), largest FILA Cadet freestyle field (377), largest FILA Cadet Greco-Roman field (215) and largest FILA Cadet field (freestyle and Greco-Roman combined) (592).

In 2008, both the freestyle and Greco-Roman divisions at the University Nationals have set entry records this year. The University Greco-Roman Nationals had 155 entries this year, up from 114 last year, an increase of 41 wrestlers. In the University Freestyle, there are 552 entries this year, an increase of 62 wrestlers. The University Men's total comes to 707 participants, 103 more than last year.

"The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and USA Wrestling Ohio have done a tremendous job with the University and Cadet National Championships," said Pete Isais, USA Wrestling Director of National Events. "Their hard work and commitment has led to a record setting number of participants both years. We at USA Wrestling can think of no better way to recognize their efforts than with this award."

The 2008 event also included the exciting addition of the Women's University National Championships. The Women's University Nationals were originally held alongside the Men's University Nationals in Evanston, Ill. for five years (1998 - 2002). Since 2002, the women's division was part of the Body Bar Women's Nationals, an event that combined four age-group levels.

The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is the non-profit organization that works to measurably enhance the economy, image and quality of life in the Greater Cleveland community by attracting and creating significant sporting events and activities.

USA Wrestling coordinates over 30 regional and national-level events every year. This award was created to recognize the tremendous service of thousands of volunteers who give freely of their time for the benefit of our young athletes. For several years, USA Wrestling has acknowledged the efforts of volunteer leaders, mat and pairing officials, and coaches, and felt it imperative to recognize the people who work so diligently in the many facets of our regional and national championship events.

GCSC is the second recipient of this award, which recognizes a dedicated volunteer or organization that has contributed highly to USA Wrestling's regional and national championship events. Steve Knipp of Waterloo, Iowa was named the inaugural winner as USAW Person of the Year in 2007.