SoCon Extends Agreement With Asheville For Winter Championships

The Southern Conference announced today it has reached an agreement with representatives from Asheville, N.C., to host the league’s men’s and women’s basketball tournament through the league’s centennial celebration in 2021. The four-year extension to the existing deal, which was set to expire in 2017, includes both the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments as well as the league’s wrestling championship, which moved to Asheville this past season.

“The Asheville community has truly taken ownership of the championships and made us feel welcome over the past four years,” said John Iamarino, Commissioner of the Southern Conference. “It will be fitting to celebrate our 100th basketball tournament in a city that has been such a wonderful site for us.”

As part of the extension, both parties agreed to move the women’s basketball quarterfinals to the U.S. Cellular Center effective in 2016. Those games have been played at UNC Asheville’s Kimmel Arena the past four years. As a result of the move downtown, the entire women’s basketball tournament will now be available on ESPN3. The men’s tournament will see the opening round, quarterfinals and semifinals on ESPN3 with the title game to be broadcast on either ESPN or ESPN2.

In addition to the championship events, a number of ancillary events have been built into the weekend. Prior to Saturday’s basketball games and wrestling championship, a 5k run has been held in addition to the Downtown Dribble, which features some 500 local children dribbling basketballs through downtown Asheville before finishing at the U.S. Cellular Center. The Education Day promotion has brought thousands of grammar school children to watch a women’s game during the tournament.

“The Asheville community takes great pride in hosting both the basketball and wrestling championships, and we’re excited to continue this partnership,” said Ben VanCamp, Executive Director of the Asheville-Buncombe Regional Sports Commission. “It is an honor for the conference to select Asheville as the site for its future centennial celebration.”

The event carries an estimated financial impact of $4 million annually in the local community. The nation’s longest-running conference tournament, the SoCon basketball tournament was held in Asheville from 1984-95 and returned in 2012. In all, 13 different cities have hosted the men’s basketball tournament dating back to the first one in 1921.

Asheville YogaFest Returns July 10-12

Yoga is a big part of our culture here in Asheville. To honor this, Asheville YogaFest, was born in 2014 and exceeded all expectations. Now in its second year Asheville YogaFest is returning with expanded offerings this July 10, 11 and 12 at the Morris Hellenic Cultural Center in the Montford neighborhood.

Asheville has long been viewed as a yoga centric community with studios opening here over 35 years ago, far before its popularity of today. Asheville’s studios and instructors train over 750 yoga teachers each year. Asheville currently features more than a dozen yoga studios that are thriving.
Asheville YogaFest 2015, will feature three full days of asana workshops with fourteen local teachers and both national and local kirtan bands will delight festival attendees. The 2015 Festival will also feature Out of the Blue food truck, a Vendor Village, Yoga Photography, Thai Massage and a Yogi Dance Party. Local charities Homeward Bound and Trips for Kids will be conducting collections to support their causes.

Teachers for the event are an all-star cast. Each will present a two hour workshop for their fans and followers; including Joe Taft, Michael and Stephanie Johnson, Cindy Dollar, Dr. Saraswati Markus, Cat Matlock, Lewis Rothlein, Lindsay Fields, Leaflin Winecoff, Denise Daneck. Mado Hesselink Biddle, Allison Lindquist, Rich Fabio and Sean Johnson.

Festival attendees will also have the opportunity enjoy music throughout the weekend. Friday will feature Sean Johnson and the Wild Lotus Band from New Orleans with a kirtan. Saturday night brings the Yogi Dance Party, with DJ Will Hamilton and Acrobatic Theater from Bodhi Rajata. On Sunday, Osel, with Michael and Stephanie Johnson will be the finale for Asheville YogaFest 2015, with an All Star kirtan featuring music from their four CD’s. Concert quality sound for all events is provided by Mountain Sound Services.

Festival Director, Mike Heirs shares his excitement on the festivals return "For many years Asheville yoga lovers tried to hold a festival worthy of our yoga culture. With good timing, hard work and the invaluable help of our beloved teachers, we made that happen last year. Now, we must earn longevity, as we grow Asheville YogaFest into a regional celebration. Tickets have sold this year to yogis from New York to Florida and even one yoga teacher from Sweden. Folks that miss the YogaFest are going to need a lot of Meditation to overcome that loss!"

Tickets for this three-day event are available in advance for $165 with a price increase at the door. The Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission, Publix Supermarkets, Synergy Health Solutions, Zen Tubing and other local and regional sponsors are supporting Yogafest 2015.

For tickets, schedule and information please visit: www.ashevilleyogafest.net