Community outreach programs finalized for Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships presented by General Shale
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference and the Asheville-Buncombe Regional Sports Commission announced today the final lineup for the community outreach efforts associated with the upcoming 2020 Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships presented by General Shale, which will take place March 5-9 in Asheville, North Carolina. The tournament, which will be played for the ninth consecutive year in Asheville at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville, will support a number of programs aimed at providing individuals and groups in the Western North Carolina area with assistance and allowing them to attend designated sessions of the tournament free of charge. These efforts will include the following:
Educations Days (Thursday, March 5, and Friday, March 6)
Children from Buncombe County Schools, Asheville City Schools and other area school districts will attend either the Thursday, March 5, or Friday, March 6, women’s session free of charge through the tournament’s Education Days initiative. The children will each receive a free gift courtesy of Ingles Markets.
Downtown Dribble and KidsFest presented by Champion Credit Union (Saturday, March 7, 9-11 a.m. at Pack Square)
Downtown Dribble and KidsFest will take place beginning in Pack Square in downtown Asheville from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 7. The Square will be filled with interactive games, as well as cheerleaders, bands and mascots. Children attending the event will be given a free basketball and T-shirt and a wristband allowing them free admission to the men’s session beginning at noon that same day. The event will culminate with a dribble parade from Pack Square and end at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville. The Downtown Dribble and KidsFest is presented by Champion Credit Union.
SoCon Morning/Afternoon Out (Saturday, March 7)
The Southern Conference, working through the Asheville Police Department and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department, will provide a morning and afternoon out for select elementary school aged children on Saturday, March 7. The children will attend the Downtown Dribble and KidsFest on Saturday morning, as well as attend the afternoon men’s session at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville. The kids will be treated to a pizza party and receive free apparel courtesy of the Western North Carolina Children’s Fund and adidas.
Teddy Bear Toss (Sunday, March 8)
Those attending the 4 p.m. game on Sunday, March 8, will have the opportunity to make a donation to the Mountain Child Advocacy Center in order to receive a stuffed teddy bear. At halftime of the game, the bears will be thrown onto the playing court and donated to be used as comfort bears for children at the Mission Children’s Hospital and by local law enforcement agencies.
Hometown Heroes Night (Monday, March 9)
Members of the military, fire, police, emergency and medical services, charitable organizations and civil service employees will be afforded an opportunity to attend the men’s championship game free of charge on Monday, March 9, at 7 p.m., as part of Hometown Heroes Night sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western North Carolina, Duke Energy and Hedrick Industries.
Hoops Against Hunger
The Southern Conference and Eblen Charities will team up throughout the championships to provide awareness and to help combat childhood hunger through the Hoops Against Hunger program. An information booth will be set up at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville to provide information about childhood hunger and to accept cash or food donations. The Hoops Against Hunger Hotel Challenge will take place during the tournament at local hotels. Each hotel will have a collection bin in its lobby and will encourage staff and guests to donate to the bin. Two winners of the Challenge will selected – the hotel that collects the most food in overall weight and the hotel that collects the most food in weight per room capita. The winners of the challenge will receive an award at halftime of the men’s championship game on Monday, March 9. Awareness of the Hoops Against Hunger program will also be provided through the Hoops Against Hunger Relay Challenge during halftime of each tournament game and by the team coaching staffs wearing Hoops Against Hunger lapel pins.
Wounded Warrior Project
A number of military veterans will be recognized at halftimes and timeouts during the championships through the Wounded Warrior Project.
-www.SoConSports.com-
WNC Female Wrestling Teams Make History
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Citizen Times
HENDERSON COUNTY - Two WNC wrestling programs made history Dec. 3.
A year after the state approved a one-year trial for a women's wrestling invitational - the first of its kind in the state - West Henderson's girls wrestling team hosted Swain County in the first female dual meet in North Carolina history.
Swain County took the win 30-26.
Since 2015, the number of girls joining their high school wrestling programs in the state has increased by 30 percent, according to numbers from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. There are now over 250 female wrestlers in the state, in a sport that is one of the fastest growing in high school athletics for girls.
David Thompson, Asheville Citizen Times
Court No. 1 dedication set for Tuesday
Court No. 1 at Aston Park Tennis Center will be dedicated in honor of Lewis Isaac, during an official ceremony Tuesday, November 5th. The dedication, which is free and open to the public, is set to begin at 6:00 p.m. near the north entrance at Aston Park Tennis Center at 336 Hilliard Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801
Scheduled speakers include Bob Smith, Building Bridges Retired Community Relations member; Laura Loftis, Manager at Aston Park | Tennis Center; Jeff Joyce, President Asheville Tennis Association and Asheville City Council member, Julie Mayfield. Plus a very special tribute in song, performed by the Asheville Youth Choir , under the direction of Musical Director, Clark Sorrels.
Loftis expressed gratitude to all those who worked together at the City of Asheville Parks & Recreation department and Asheville City Council along with overwhelming community support and input who were all determined and helped make the dedication a reality.
Lewis Isaac played tennis at the Aston Park Tennis Center for decades. An ardent supporter of Public Tennis, he served with a group of many Aston Park supporters in working with local government officials in keeping Aston Park open to everyone in the Asheville area. The Asheville Tennis Community loved Lewis and his big heart for service to others. He was a long-time member of the USTA, the governing body of tennis in the United States.
Lewis retired as Chief of Human Resources at the VA Medical Center after 27 years of service, then later retired from City of Asheville Human Resources. A fixture on the Asheville tennis scene and former longtime City of Asheville employee he will be recognized for his dedication to both. At their Sept. 10 meeting, Asheville City Council voted to name Court 1 at Aston Park Tennis Center, 336 Hilliard Ave., in memory of the late Lewis Isaac. He died June 2, 2019.
Following his retirement, he served on many boards, including the City’s Recreation Board. Isaac was a volunteer for many local organizations, including the Building Bridges, United Way, Our Voice and MANNA Food Bank along with these, to say he made a contribution to our community , would be putting in lightly.
Lewis Isaac was involved with several groups and organizations on many boards and membershipshere was his active list upon his death:
American Red Cross
American Society for Training and Development – Western Carolina Chapter
Asheville City Schools
Asheville Housing Authority
Asheville Parks and Recreation
Asheville Tennis Association
Asheville Track Club
Alcoholic Beverage Control
BB&T
Building Bridges
Combined Federal Campaign
Manna Food Bank
North Carolina Governor’s Council on Sickle Cell & Related Disorders
Our Voice
RiverLink
YMCA
United States Tennis Association
United Way
Awards:
Excellence in Public Service for both City of Asheville and the Greater Asheville Area
Council asked residents for their input on Open City Hall Asheville before making this designation.More than 120 people responded to the survey and their response was unanimously in favor. Some of the comments included:
“Lewis was a gift to our community and a true public servant. His passion for tennis was palpable, and memorializing him with this honor would be a great way to recognize his commitment to our community.”
“Lewis was an authentic contributor to the Asheville community both through service as an employee and a volunteer. I support this honorary naming opportunity and only wish he were here to accept the honor.”
“Lewis Isaac made a difference in this community. He should be remembered and celebrated PLUS he loved tennis!”
Learn more about his exemplary life and accomplishments at this link: http://bit.ly/2lOFSFv
For more information, please contact Lora Loftis at lloftis@ashevillenc.gov. Tel. 828.552.9244
- Asheville Tennis Association -
USL League Two Welcomes Asheville City SC
TAMPA, Fla. (Oct. 16, 2019) – The United Soccer League (USL) today announced Asheville City SC will become the newest member of USL League Two. The community-oriented club will join the league’s strong contingent of North Carolina-based clubs for the 2020 season and will host its home matches at Memorial Stadium.
“Asheville City has been a beacon for how the game can grow in cities with tremendous civic pride,” said Joel Nash, Vice President of USL League Two. “We look forward to supporting and celebrating this club as it continues to reach new heights.”
Founded in November 2016, Asheville City SC has enjoyed passionate support over its first three seasons and counts among its alumni players those currently competing in the USL Championship and League One. Current Greenville Triumph SC players Dominic Boland and Cameron Saul both played for Asheville in 2018, and this Saturday will be part of Triumph SC’s squad as it competes in the 2019 USL League One Final.
In joining the foremost pre-professional men's league in the United States and Canada, Asheville City SC will continue its combined mission of bringing high-level competition to its community while providing a proven pathway to professional soccer for its players and growth opportunities for coaches and executives within the club.
“We are excited to join the USL, where we will have the opportunity to compete against a multitude of excellent clubs throughout the Southeast,” said Asheville City SC President Ryan Kelley. “We feel strongly that this system presents the best opportunity for our local youth to develop to their full potential and provides a platform to elevate our club in the future.
“As an organization that is absolutely committed to developing Asheville City SC into a premier soccer club on and off the field, we look forward to the competition we will find in League Two, while also aspiring to join the full professional ranks of League One. As has been our focus since day one, the best interests of our supporters and local youth players will continue to be our driving force.”
Asheville City SC is a club driven by community. The organization’s “Just Play” initiative seeks to expand access to local soccer by eliminating traditional barriers to participation. The team donates soccer balls to young players that need them and gives Asheville’s underserved population the opportunity to learn the game from the club’s players and coaches at both local community centers and at Memorial Stadium.
Follow @AshevilleCitySC on social media and visit the club’s website ashevillecitysc.com for the latest club updates.
About USL League Two
A part of United Soccer Leagues, LLC, which also operates the USL Championship, USL League One, Super Y League and the new USL Academy, USL League Two is the top pre-professional soccer league in North America, offering a summer platform for aspiring professionals across the United States and Canada. More than 70 percent of all MLS SuperDraft selections since 2010 have League Two experience, including 66 alumni chosen in 2018 and 61 in 2019. Werder Bremen’s Josh Sargent, Newcastle United’s DeAndre Yedlin, and Atlanta United’s Brad Guzan are among the many U.S. National Team players to have competed in USL League Two before making their professional debuts.
Written By USLLeagueTwo.com Staff, 10/16/19, 1:55PM EDT
Southern Conference Basketball Tip Off Concludes
All 18 men’s and women’s basketball coaches were in attendance
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The 2019-20 Southern Conference Basketball Tip Off took place Monday at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel in Asheville, North Carolina. All 10 league men’s head coaches and all eight women’s head coaches were on hand to meet the media and local supporters.
Both sets of coaches met with the local and regional media members in attendance. The women’s coaches made the media rounds in the morning while the men’s coaches met with new SoCon Commissioner Jim Schaus. In the afternoon session, the roles reversed.
In between, there was a reception and luncheon in which Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission President Demp Bradford and Schaus addressed the league’s coaches, media, local organizing committee, sponsors and select elected officials from the community.
The men’s and women’s preseason polls and all-conference teams were also highlighted during the luncheon, with Furman picked by the women’s coaches to win the league and four-time defending regular-season champion and two-time defending tournament champion Mercer picked by the SoCon media to win the league. Wofford redshirt senior guard Chloe Wanink was tabbed the preseason player of the year.
On the men’s side, ETSU was the consensus choice between the coaches and media to win the league. UNC Greensboro junior guard Isaiah Miller was the named preseason player of the year.
The regular season begins Nov. 5 for both the men and women, with seven men’s teams and five women’s squads taking the floor on opening night.
All 18 teams will be back in Asheville in March for the 2020 Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships presented by General Shale. Tickets will go on sale Nov. 1. The 2020 edition of the tournament will be the 100th, as the SoCon championship is the nation’s oldest collegiate basketball tournament.
Southern Conference Basketball Tip Off attendees
The Citadel: Duggar Baucom (men)
ETSU: Brittney Ezell (women) and Steve Forbes (men)
Furman: Jackie Carson (women) and Bob Richey (men)
Mercer: Susie Gardner (women) and Greg Gary (men)
UNC Greensboro: Trina Patterson (women) and Wes Miller (men)
Samford: Carley Kuhns (women) and Scott Padgett (men)
Chattanooga: Katie Burrows (women) and Lamont Paris (men)
VMI: Dan Earl (men)
Western Carolina: Kiley Hill (women) and Mark Prosser (men)
Wofford: Jimmy Garrity (women) and Jay McAuley (men)
USTA helps make improvements to Asheville tennis center
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A tennis center in the mountains was revamped thanks to the U.S. Tennis Association.
Aston Park Tennis Center received $35,000 in enhancements thanks to the 2018 USTA Fed Cup Legacy gift. Asheville hosted the Fed Cup two years in a row. And since that event, Asheville residents have gotten a bit of tennis fever.
"Tennis is alive and well in Asheville. And I will say that the Fed Cup, which came two years ago in 2018, really capitalized tennis here in Asheville in a way that we hadn't seen before. It's just been great for the city," Asheville City Council member Julie Mayfield said.
With some of the money, the center was able to add ADA accessible seating, new shade structures and more.
Triathlon Gold Proud to Call UNC Asheville Home
About halfway through 2018, Olympic Triathlon Coach Jarrod Evans and his group Triathlon Gold starting looking for a new home base for their top-level program.
In looking to relocate from San Diego, Evans and Triathlon Gold visited 16 different cities over the course of their search for a new home.
Asheville was the last place that they visited, but it was quickly apparent upon their arrival that they had found their new home with UNC Asheville.
"I had a meeting with (Director of Athletics) Janet R. Cone and she was very open to the idea of supporting a USA Triathlon elite program and combining with UNC Asheville's athletic facilities," Evans said. "The reasons we chose Asheville are many and varied, but probably the top of the list is that we wanted to find a place that the athletes could live year-round that also had world-class facilities and a good sense of community."
As part of the collaboration, Triathlon Gold has access to UNC Asheville's Justice Center Pool, the Karl Straus Track, the Asheville Jewish Community Center pool (home of diving for UNC Asheville swimming & diving) and much more. Triathlon Gold also spends a great deal of time preparing in and around Biltmore Lake.
The collaboration also works fluidly thanks to the efforts of UNC Asheville Campus Recreation and the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission.
Triathlon Gold's decision to work with Bulldog athletics in this capacity was made even more appealing given the on-campus expertise of the UNC Asheville Department of Health and Wellness as well as the North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness, in addition to the University's truly unique partnership with Mission Health which is based on five pillars: sports medicine, scholarships and internships, healthy campus, career and professional development and sponsorship.
Cone is thrilled that Triathlon Gold decided to call Asheville home.
"This is great partnership that allows our student-athletes and coaches to be surrounded even more by elite athletes training at the highest level," Cone said. "I could not be happier that Jarrod and his team decided to train at UNC Asheville. Like our Bulldog coaches and staff, Jarrod is working hard daily to build Champions in Athletics and Leaders in Life."
Evans in his over 20 years of international coaching has produced more than 25 World Triathlon Champions and over 40 National Triathlon Champions. He has also prepared over 250 IRONMAN World Championship athletes and multiple International Triathlon Union champions.
Triathlon Gold operates within with the USA Triathlon National Team Program. The program is currently open to elite triathletes from the United States and International professional triathletes.
Evans' current grouping of athletes includes Mary Alex England and Sophie Chase, who will represent the U.S. at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. The 2019 Pan American Games run from Friday, July 26-Sunday, Aug. 11.
"We have athletes who are competing in the Pan Am Games coming up, but with the Olympics next year (Tokyo, Japan), the Olympic trials is the next main qualification focus of our athletes," Evans said. "It's a good mix of athletes and we have some internationals in our group as well, but it's predominantly a US Elite team."
Triathlon Gold officially started shifting things to Asheville in April of 2019 and it's been easy for Evans to see over the last few months that moving things to the Western North Carolina area was the right choice.
"Absolutely," Evans said. "We obviously have moved here in a great time of year coming around the summer, and we could not be happier. The training facilities are first class, the natural resources are amazing and the community is great. People have been hugely welcoming of our program, whether it be utilizing a pool, a track or a gym. We're very happy with our decision."
To learn more about Evans and Triathlon Gold, please visit triathlongold.com. You can learn more about UNC Asheville athletics by visiting uncabulldogs.com.
Skyview Pro & Amateur Tournament Celebrates It's 60th Year
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — For six decades, the Skyview Golf Association has conducted Buncombe County’s largest stroke-play golf tournament.
And as the Skyview Pro & Amateur Tournament celebrates its 60th straight year of hosting players for competition, it will represent much more than golfers teeing it up for three days.
The event at Asheville Golf Course on July 9-11 is also an important community event that embraces diversity among its playing field and a large, extended golfing family.
“We’re very proud that we have been able to put on this tournament for so long. It has always been an important sporting and social event for our community,” said Skyview tournament director Lee Shepard.
In its heyday, the tournament drew fields of more than 200 players and featured winners like Lee Elder, who won the event a record four straight years (1962-65) and went on to become the first African-American golfer to compete in The Masters.
Local winners also include a list of the top players in WNC over the years, like Richard Clark and Harry Jeter.
The Skyview tourney was created in 1960 and was initially designed as an African-American only event at what was then named the Asheville Municipal GC (Muni), one of the few 18-hole layouts that allowed blacks access to the game.
But it took just one year for organizers to realize that excluding a race of golfers was the very obstacle they were trying to overcome, and every since the tournament has enjoyed the fact that all players - male, female and juniors - are welcome.
“You see blacks and whites playing together, just like you want and just like you see every day at the Muni,” said Billy Gardenhight, who helped create the tournament and served as its director for more than 40 years.
“At the Skyview, it’s just about the golf and the friends and reconnecting with people you only see maybe once a year.”
Last year’s event was one of the most exciting ever, a classic duel in the pro division between youth and experience.
Greg Parker, head golf pro at Marion Lake Club, finished at 20-under par to win his record seventh Skyview title at age 52.
Parker had 23 birdies in three days to hold off Noah Ratner of Asheville, the winner in 2015 and ‘16 who had 22 birdies over 54 holes and finished two shots back of Parker.
Playing out of the same cart in the second and third rounds, Parker and Ratner combined for 34 birdies over 36 holes.
Henderson County's Austin Fisher is the defending champion in the amateur division, and Tommy White of Asheville will defend his crown as the senior amateur winner.
The event is 54 holes of stroke play on the popular 18-hole Donald Ross layout at AGC that hosts more than 40,000 rounds annually.
Even with record rainfall over the past 18 months, the par-72 renowned for its two distinct nines - a flat, wide-open front side that gives way to a short, tight nine holes that demands accuracy and features tree-lined fairways on every hole - is in good playing shape.
The Skyview is unique in that there are four divisions - pro, senior pro, amateur and senior amateur.
The pros and senior pros will play for a purse that totals $17,900.
Amateurs and senior amateurs will be flighted and will play for prizes that include woods, irons and golf bags.
The amateurs tee off at 8 a.m. each morning and pros begin play at 2 p.m.
Entry fees are $185 for amateurs and $350 for pros, with the field limited to the first 60 pros and 90 amateurs who have paid entries.
The Skyiew Golf Association is a 501 -c- (4) non-profit that provides scholarships and donates to elderly and youth services.
For more information or to enter the tournament, call Shepard (335-6377), Gardenheight (231-0860), Ivory Walker (774-5534) or Fred Woods (423-8485).
Sponsorships are also available, including tee signs.
- by Keith Jarrett
Gran Fondo National Championship Awarded to Asheville for 2019 and 2020
(Asheville, NC - May 29, 2019) - Gran Fondo National Series (GFNS) announced today that the annual Gran Fondo Asheville cycling event has been selected as the site for the Gran Fondo National Championship event for 2019 and 2020. Working with the Buncombe County Regional Sports Commission and supporting Asheville on Bikes and Eblen Charities, this national level amateur cycling event will bring more than 500 amateur cyclists, plus their families and supporters, to the city of Asheville on the weekend of July 21, 2019.
A gran fondo is a unique type of cycling event that features timed segment racing. Riders of all ages and abilities start together, and overall and age-group winners are determined by the fastest combined times through designated timing sections. The Gran Fondo National Series is the largest and most competitive series of gran fondo events in the United States, with 10 events nationwide and 3,000 annual participants.
“We are proud to award the Gran Fondo National Championship to the city of Asheville for the next two years,” said GFNS founder and event director, Reuben Kline. “The city and sporting commission have been tremendously supportive of Gran Fondo Asheville over the past six years, riders love the roads and mountains in this area, and the community is vibrant and welcoming.”
The decision to move the GFNS National Championship event to Asheville comes on the heels of a successful Haute Route Asheville event, of which Kline was also Event Director. Haute Route (pronounced “oat root”) is an international cycling event company that owns GFNS and produces multi-day cycling competitions around the world, including in France, Italy, Norway, Oman, Mexico, and China. Haute Route Asheville brought an international field of around 300 amateur cyclists to Asheville May 17-19 for a 3-day competition.
“The Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission is excited to elevate our partnership with the Gran Fondo National Series by bringing The GFNS National Championship to Asheville,” said Demp Bradford, President of the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission. “Hosting top caliber cycling events like Haute Route Asheville and GFNS National Championship bring great exposure to what is already a thriving area for cycling. Cyclists and their families bring significant economic benefit to our city and county and the timed-segment format minimalizes the interruptions to our local residents and visitors.”
Former U.S. Representative and NFL quarterback Heath Shuler encouraged the move, citing the organizers’ commitment to the region and the economic benefits of cycling for Asheville. “Cycling is good for Asheville and Buncombe County,” said Heath. “More than a dozen cycling-related companies have offices or manufacturing facilities here, in part because of the same roads, trails, and community that attracts high-level national and international cycling competitions.”
Proceeds from Gran Fondo Asheville support Asheville on Bikes, a local non-profit that advocates for better cycling and pedestrian infrastructure; and Eblen Charities, which supports families in the Asheville area with food, housing, medical heating and utilities, medication, and all manner of emergency assistance.
Gran Fondo Asheville starts at 8:00am at Wicked Weed Brewery at (147 Coxe Avenue in Asheville) on Sunday, July 21. Riders can choose to ride 100, 60, or 30 miles, and all three routes return to the brewery for a finish line festival. Only the 100-mile riders compete for the National Championship.
About Gran Fondo National Series
Founded in 2013 by event director Reuben Kline, the 10-event Gran Fondo National Series is the largest and most competitive series of gran fondo cycling events in the United States, and the only event series to crown a Gran Fondo National Champion. Acquired in 2017 by the parent company of Haute Route, GFNS events are part of OC Sports’ international portfolio of cycling, running, ultrarunning, and sailing events. Visit https://granfondonationalseries.com.
LGBTQ-focused Stonewall Sports expands to Asheville
Stonewall Sports, an LGBTQ and Ally community-based nonprofit sports organization, on Wednesday afternoon announced Asheville as the latest city to join the league. The sports group was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2010 to raise funds for local nonprofits through inclusive, low-cost organized sports. Since then, it has expanded into seventeen cities including Asheville, five in North Carolina alone. The Asheville interim leadership team will host a free community meet and greet at Banks Ave. Bar (32 Banks Avenue in downtown Asheville) on Wednesday, May 22 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. to learn about the league, meet people, and play bar games.
“As someone who has played soccer most of my life, I believe everyone should be able to feel comfortable being themselves in organized sports,” said Karla Furnari, City Commissioner of Stonewall Sports Asheville. “This is a recreational league for all types of athletes, so we hope to quickly build a network of teammates, volunteers, sponsors, and friends. Stonewall Sports is truly driven by the community, so we want to listen to as many voices as possible as the league takes shape before our first sport rolls out in the summer.”
Stonewall Sports Asheville plans to start with a kickball league for the simplicity, nostalgia, and socialization that make it a challenging team sport and provide a fun social experience. To keep the experience affordable and accessible, registration fees will be in the $25-$35 range – substantially lower than other sports clubs in the area. Other expenses will be offset by community sponsorship, also designed for a range of budgets to ensure participation from small businesses and larger corporations alike. Other cities have also added bowling, corn hole, flag football, and volleyball leagues, among other sports.
The Asheville area has been noted by national organizations for its friendly and inclusive nature and is home to one of the most dynamic and visible LGBTQAI+ communities in the South. Stonewall Sports Asheville organizers note that while the city is not lacking in welcoming arts and cultural options, there is a void when it comes to ongoing recreational activities for the LGBTQ community and allies to gather around while interacting socially.
The philanthropic focus of the league is just as important as wellness and social components, notes Furnari. “We’ve chosen Blue Ridge Pride as our local charitable partner because of the years of trust the organization has established in the region. The organization’s vision of an inclusive community where people are embraced for who they are and feel welcomed to engage and contribute aligns very closely with Stonewall Sports Asheville’s vision.”
MountainXpress - Press Release from Stonewall Sports