 |
 |
June 13, 2008
Written by Sheila Miller, Upper Iowa Director of Public Relations
FAYETTE, Iowa (June 13, 2008) -- Upper Iowa University (UIU) was presented with the Duane Kramer Sports Tourism award at the annual Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Celebration of Sports banquet held at the Cedar Rapids Marriott on June 4.
The Duane Kramer Sports Tourism Award recognizes an organization(s) for hosting an event that attracted a significant number of visitors to the Cedar Rapids area.
This year's award was shared by Upper Iowa, who hosted the 2008 NCAA Division II National Wrestling Championships on March 14 and 15, and the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Coe, and Cornell, who hosted the 2008 Division III National Wrestling Championships on March 7 and 8. The two championships drew over 12,000 athletes, coaches, and spectators from across the U.S.
The two-day event was three years in the making, according to UIU Athletic Director Gil Cloud, who accepted the award on behalf of the University. "We are pleased to receive this recognition on behalf of Upper Iowa, the NCAA and Division II," said Cloud. "Our staff worked hard for three years to put this event on so this recognition is genuinely appreciated." He added, "I also want to thank our Board of Trustees and President Walker for their support of our pursuit of this tournament."
In addition to the many UIU students, faculty, staff and alumni that helped plan and worked at the event, Cloud also credits Jason Anderson, assistant events manager with the U.S. Cellular Center and Mary Lee Malmberg, director of sports tourism for the Cedar Rapids Convention and Visitor's Bureau for their expertise.
Upper Iowa University Athletic Director Gil Cloud accepted the Duane Kramer Sports Tourism award at the annual Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Celebration of Sports Banquet on June 4. Cloud is pictured with key Athletics personnel responsible for organizing the two-day event. (Front l-r) Shari Robertson, Howard Thompson. (Back l-r) Kent McElvania, Mike Powicki, Cloud, Matt Rueckert, Melanie DeBoer. Not pictured is Chad Markuson.
