EDE Completes Draft Ops Fantasy Lounge at Verizon Center

When Aramark and Monumental Sports & Entertainment wanted to transform a 5,500 sq ft space at the Verizon Center into an engaging destination for their visitors and fans, EDE was called in. The space had been left un-finished, so it was our task to renovate and remodel the space to become a 400-level destination for all fans as part of the game-day experience. EDE designed, engineered, fabricated and installed the bar, along with all related accessories. They produced the sponsor identification/logo for the entrance, buffet stations, high-top tables, a fully-stocked back bar with coolers, branded barrels, and turned a glass elevator shaft into a video-screen area, complete with environmental graphics of the city of Washington D.C. The lounge includes daily fantasy games, special guest appearances and an all-inclusive ticket package with food and beverage. The finished project adds excitement and dining opportunities for the fans and visitors on both game days and concert dates.

About EDE: EDE has been helping clients bring exhibit ideas to life since 1979. We’ve helped them tell their stories, breathe new life into their brands, and make the seemingly impossible – possible. Our diverse experience with marketers, museums, and architects enables us to see a broader picture in order to find the perfect solution to realize your vision. This experience is proven through our award winning craftsmanship, focused attention to detail and an intense commitment to service. To learn more about EDE please visit edecorp.com

Hockey Hall of Fame 2015 Induction Weekend
Friday, November 6 – Monday, November 9, 2015

The Hockey Hall of Fame is set to welcome its newest Inductees – Sergei Federov, Phil Housley, Nicklas Lidstrom, Chris Pronger and Angela Ruggiero in the Player Category, and Bill Hay and Peter Karmanos Jr. in the Builder Category.  Be a part of the excitement all weekend long with tributes to the Class of 2015 including special guest appearances, Q&A fan forums, autograph signings and the annual Legends Classic (Team Gilmour  vs Team Bure at Air Canada Centre), plus more.  The weekend’s events will culminate with the Induction Celebration Gala taking place during the evening of Monday, November 9.

Visit HHOF.com for full weekend itinerary, VIP Packages and Induction Gala ticket information.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Back in 1951, at the age of 16, Mel Potter began his journey in the Rodeo Cowboys Association, now known as the PRCA.

Fast-forward 65 seasons, and Potter, 80, is still competing as a team roping header.

At his peak, back in 1959, Potter competed in the inaugural National Finals Rodeo in Dallas as a tie-down roper, finishing 14^th in the final standings. He is now the only original NFR competitor still active in the PRCA.

As recently as 2010, he qualified for the RAM Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo as a team roper and on July 17, 2013, Potter and partner Garrison Dixon won the Green County Fair ProRodeo in Monroe, Wis. He also won a team roping check at a Great Lakes Circuit event this year.

Combine Potter’s longevity as a competitor with his decade of success – 1964-73 – as a stock contractor with Rodeos Inc., and his time served on the PRCA Board of Directors and it adds up to his being selected Oct. 5 by the ProRodeo Hall of Fame as the 2015 Legend of ProRodeo.

“I was very surprised to get this honor,” said Potter, who also is a highly-successful businessman. “Being involved with rodeo was one of the neatest things of my life because all of the great people I’ve gotten to know and be good, good friends with all over the country. We also put together a heck of a string of livestock (at Rodeos Inc.) and we treated the cowboys as good as any stock contractor there was. I’m also going to keep competing in rodeos as long as I can get on a horse and stay on a horse when he runs out of the barrier.”

Potter is the 10^th man to be honored with the award, following Jake Barnes, Jim Shoulders, Clem McSpadden, Harry Vold, Larry Mahan, Dean Oliver, Shawn Davis, Donnie Gay and Benny Binion.

“Since joining the PRCA in 1951, Mel Potter’s career has been one of longevity and consistency. He has competed for an amazing 65 seasons and has gone from an NFR qualification in 1959 to earning a check this year at a Great Lakes Circuit event at the age of 80,” said Kent Sturman, director of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. “Mel has also given back to the sport in many ways and he cares deeply for the PRCA and its success. His talents, experience and knowledge of the sport helped raise a four-time World Champion Barrel Racer, his daughter Sherry Potter Cervi. Mel has done a lot for the professional rodeo industry and we are honored to have him as this year’s Pro Rodeo Legend.”

In addition to qualifying for the first NFR, Potter also won some big rodeos in his prime in tie-down roping, including the Calgary Stampede (1962), National Western Stock Show Rodeo in Denver (1959), SandHills Stock Show & Rodeo in Odessa, Texas (1958), Helldorado Days Rodeo in Las Vegas (1957-58), and the Klamath Falls (Ore.) Great Northwest Rodeo (1957).

Potter has competed in tie-down roping, steer wrestling and team roping during his PRCA career. As a team roper, he has paired with guys like Bum Post, Bob Padilla, Eddie Schell and Dale Smith.

Although Potter had some solid success as a PRCA rookie in 1959, he knew he had to have a back-up plan for work. His family had been cranberry farmers since his grandfather started the family business in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., in 1880. The Potters are one of the largest producers for the Ocean Spray co-operative of growers.

Potter and his wife of 59 years, Wendy, also operate the Potter Ranch in Marana, Ariz., with their middle daughter, Jo Lynn, and her husband, George Alexander. The ranch has produced some of the sport’s top timed-event horses since 1973. Wendy competed in the NFR in barrel racing in 1970 and ’72.

“I’ve had an interesting life, and it has been like an 80-year vacation,” said Potter, who was an airplane pilot for 50 years before he stopped flying in 2011. “Everything I’ve done I have enjoyed doing and I have just had fun. I have a great family, and I’ve gotten to know so many great people. To me, the best thing in my whole life is all the people who I’ve met and become friends with. It’s hard to believe it has happened this way for me.”

Mel Potter photo “Courtesy of Walter Workman”

The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame’s newest exhibit, Dixie on Ice: Minor League Hockey in Georgia, is now on display in the museum’s rotunda.  Tracing the history of minor league hockey in Georgia from the 1973 Macon Whoopees to the state’s handful of professional hockey teams of today, the exhibit features game-worn jerseys and hockey equipment from such teams as the Columbus Cottonmouths, the Gwinnett Gladiators, the Augusta Lynx, the Macon Trax, and the Atlanta Knights.  Just in time for the start of hockey season, Dixie on Ice: Minor League Hockey in Georgia will remain on display through January.

The KSHOF Class of 2015 consists of eleven members: University of Kansas and Seattle Seahawk linebacker Terry Beeson from Coffeyville; Topeka native and two-time Gold Glove Award winner Ken Berry; University of Kansas All-American softball player and the school’s all-time softball coaching wins leader Tracy Bunge; Kansas State University tight end and three-time Pro Bowl selection of the Green Bay Packers, Paul Coffman from Chase; two-time Benedictine College All-American and four-time state basketball championship coach Mathew “Chic” Downing of Atchison; 1996 U.S. Olympic gold medalist in the triple-jump Kenny Harrison from Kansas State University; twelve-time KCAC women’s basketball Coach of the Year at Sterling College Lonnie Kruse from Sterling; three-time Big 12 Conference basketball selection and Kansas State University’s all-time assist leader, Shalee Lehning of Sublette; fourteen-time All-American in football and track at Pittsburg State University and two-time Pro Bowl selection Brian Moorman from Sedgwick; three-time National Championship coach and two-time National Coach of the Year at Butler Community College Troy Morrell from Atwood; three-sport athlete from Wichita State University and long-time major conference official in football and basketball Dick Sanders from Wichita.

The eleven-person class raises the total number of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame inductees to 248. The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame is in its 54^th year of operation.

NEWPORT, R.I., October 23, 2015 – Justine Henin, a former WTA Tour world No. 1 and seven-time major champion, Marat Safin, a two-time major champion and former world No. 1 on the ATP World Tour, and Helena Sukova, who won 14 major titles in doubles and mixed doubles, have all been nominated for induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. All three are nominated in the Recent Player Category for induction in the Class of 2016. In addition, Yvon Petra, a notable French tennis player of the 1940s, and Margaret Scriven, British tennis champion of the 1930s, have been nominated posthumously in the Master Player Category. There are no nominees in the Contributor Category for 2016.

Induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame is the highest honor available in the sport of tennis and it represents the sum of one’s achievements at the highest possible level. Since 1955, the honor of Hall of Fame induction has been awarded to 243 tennis champions and leaders representing 21 nations. Located in Newport, Rhode Island, the International Tennis Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization built around a mission of preserving and celebrating the history of tennis, honoring its greatest champions, and inspiring its future.

QUOTES / NOMINEE REACTION

“Throughout their careers Justine Henin, Marat Safin, and Helena Sukova all consistently demonstrated their excellence as tennis players and their commitment to our sport. They worked relentlessly toward tennis’ top goals and as a result, achieved world No. 1 status, won the sport’s top trophies, and inspired fans and peers worldwide. They’ve left a lasting and positive impact on tennis and it is a pleasure to announce their nomination to receive our sport’s highest honor, induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame,” said Stan Smith, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987 and now serves as the International Tennis Hall of Fame President and Chairman of the Enshrinee Nominating Committee.

Smith continued, “Also this year, we recognize the achievements of two of tennis’ great early champions – Yvon Petra, who claimed a Wimbledon title after five years as a prisoner-of-war, and Margaret Scriven, who won two back-to-back singles titles at the French Championships. Their success is part of the sport’s storied history, and we’re glad to recognize their accomplishments.”

Of the nomination, Justine Henin commented, “The Hall of Famers are individuals who I have admired from the time I was a young girl, throughout my career, and to this day. To be nominated for induction into this group and to have my career recognized in this way is a great honor, and I thank the committee for the nomination.”

Marat Safin commented, “To be part of a Hall of Fame is every athlete’s dream. It is a great honor to have my tennis career recognized in this way, and I am proud to represent Russian tennis with this nomination for such a prestigious honor in our sport.”

Helena Sukova stated, “It is a great honor for me to be selected as a nominee for the Hall of Fame. Being recognized as part of tennis history is all I can ask, now that my playing days are over. The International Tennis Hall of Fame is the most prestigious group of legends in the sport, and it is an honor to have my career recognized with a nomination for this most esteemed stage.”

Voting on the Hall of Fame ballot will take place over the next several months, culminating with an announcement early next year to reveal the Class of 2016. The Class of 2016 Induction Ceremony will be hosted on Saturday, July 16, 2016 during Rolex Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.

A detailed description of the induction voting process follows the nominee biographies below:

ABOUT THE NOMINEES

Recent Player: Justine Henin, Marat Safin, and Helena Sukova
Eligibility criteria for the Recent Player Category is as follows: active as competitors in the sport within the last 20 years prior to consideration; not a significant factor on the ATP World Tour, WTA Tour, or Wheelchair Tennis Tour within five years prior to induction; a distinguished record of competitive achievement at the highest international level, with consideration given to integrity, sportsmanship, and character.

Justine Henin, 33, of Belgium, was the world No. 1 player for 117 weeks. She was the year-end No. 1 three times, clinching the top spot in 2003, 2006, and 2007.

Powered by an explosive and unique one-handed backhand, Henin won seven Grand Slam singles titles, including four French Open titles, three of which were consecutive. In addition to her French Open titles, Henin won two US Open titles and an Australian Open title. Henin won 43 singles titles in all, including 10 WTA Tour Tier I / Premier Mandatory & Premier 5 titles. She compiled an extraordinary career record of 525-115.

While smaller in stature than many of her competitors, Henin was applauded for her mental toughness and an outstanding all-around game. She was known for a powerful forehand, superior volley skills and court coverage, and her famous one-handed backhand.

In 2004, Henin won the Olympic Gold Medal in Athens. She was a dedicated Belgian Fed Cup team member, leading the team to their first Fed Cup title in 2001 and into the finals again in 2006.

Since retirement, Henin’s ventures have included running a tennis academy in Belgium, as well as a foundation dedicated to medical needs of children.

Marat Safin, 35, of Russia, is a two-time Grand Slam tournament champion. He held the world No. 1 ranking for nine weeks, and was in the world top-five for 119 weeks. Safin was regarded as a power player with strong groundstrokes and a particularly dangerous backhand.

Safin won his first major title at the 2000 US Open, when he defeated Pete Sampras. He is the first and only Russian man to have won the title. Safin went on to win the 2005 Australian Open with a victory over Lleyton Hewitt, defeating then world No. 1 Roger Federer in a five-set battle en route to the final.

Safin won 15 singles titles. In addition to his Grand Slam tournament titles, he won five ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. He compiled a career record of 422-267.

Safin was an integral member of the Russian Davis Cup team for 11 years. In 2002, he was instrumental in leading Russia to defeat France for their first Davis Cup victory. In 2006, he won the deciding rubber against Argentina to claim the title for Russia again.

Since retiring from the ATP World Tour, Safin has served on the Russian Olympic Committee and has worked with the Russian Tennis Federation. In 2011, he was elected to serve in the Russian Federal Parliament.

Helena Sukova, 50, of the Czech Republic, was the world No. 1 ranked doubles player for 68 weeks and she won 14 Grand Slam tournament titles in women’s doubles and mixed doubles over the course of her career. Sukova also had a noteworthy singles career, achieving a career high of world No. 4 and reaching the final two times each at the Australian Open and the US Open.

In all, Sukova won an impressive 69 doubles titles and she compiled a doubles record of 752-220. She achieved a career Grand Slam in women’s doubles, winning four titles at Wimbledon, two at the US Open, one at the Australian Open, and one at the French Open. In addition, she won one WTA Championships doubles title.

In singles competition, Sukova had a winning record of 614-307 and she won 10 singles titles. One of her most notable singles victories was when she defeated Martina Navratilova in the semifinal round of the 1984 Australian Open, ending Navratilova’s historic 74-match winning streak.

Sukova was a standout competitor for her country, as an integral part of the Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic Fed Cup teams for 13 years. She was a playing member of four championship teams (1983, 1984, 1985, 1988). Additionally, she won two Silver Medals at the Olympic Games, partnered with Jana Novotna (1988 and 1996).

Sukova retired in 1998, and has remained highly active in the game. In 1999, she helped re-establish the International Lawn Tennis Club of the Czech Republic and became its president. She is a co-founder of the Kids and Junior Tennis Advancement Organization in the Czech Republic. She is also a member of the Champions for Peace Club, a group of elite athletes committed to serving peace in the world through sport, created by Peace and Sport Organization. Additionally, Sukova earned a doctoral degree as a psychologist at Palacky University.

Master Player Category: Yvon Petra and Margaret Scriven

Yvon Petra was a notable French tennis player of the 1940s. His career success came at a challenging time, straddling World War II and consequent interruptions to the French Championships. Petra won the Wimbledon singles title in 1946, ending a 19-year drought of French victors and making him the last French man to have done so. Perhaps most notably, his historic Wimbledon victory came following five years as a prisoner of war in Germany.

In addition to his success at Wimbledon, Petra won two doubles titles and a mixed doubles title at the French Championships.

Petra was the No. 1 ranked player in France in the late 1930s, before the war. After his release, he went on to be ranked in the world top-5 in 1946. Petra was a member of the French Davis Cup team for five years between 1937 and 1947.

Born in 1916, Petra passed away in 1984.

Margaret Scriven, of Yorkshire, England, accomplished the rare feat of back-to-back French Championships titles.

She was the first British woman and only unseeded player ever to win the French National Championships, which she did in 1933. She successfully defended her title the following year, making her the last British woman to win the same major tournament for two consecutive years.

Scriven was the first left handed player in tennis history to win a major tournament title.

A skilled clay court player, Scriven also won a mixed doubles and doubles title at the French Nationals.

Scriven was ranked among the world top-10 for three years, according to the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail. She achieved the world No. 5 ranking in 1933 and 1934. She was a member of the Wightman Cup team for Great Britain in 1933, 1934, and 1938.

Scriven was born in 1912 and she passed away in 2001.

ABOUT THE INDUCTION PROCESS

Voting on the Hall of Fame ballot will take place over the next several months, culminating with an announcement early next year to reveal the Class of 2016. The Class of 2016 Induction Ceremony will be hosted on Saturday, July 16, 2016 during Rolex Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.

Nominees for Hall of Fame induction are selected from nominations submitted by the general public and tennis community. The ITHF Enshrinee Nominating Committee, which meets annually in June, then reviews all nominations and determines the ballot. The committee is comprised of 23 individuals from around the world with expertise in various areas of the sport. Individuals can be nominated in three categories – Recent Player, Master Player, and Contributor. There are no nominees in the Contributor Category this year.

Following this announcement of the nominees, a ballot will be sent to the voting groups.

The Recent Player Voting Group, which consists of tennis media and Hall of Famers, will vote on the Recent Player nominees. The Master Player & Contributor Voting Group, which consists of historians, Hall of Famers, and individuals who are highly knowledgeable of the sport and its history, will vote on the Master Player nominees. To be inducted in either category, an affirmative vote of 75% of returned ballots is required.

Votes are tallied by an independent accounting firm. The Induction Class will be announced the first quarter of 2016.

For additional information, please visit www.tennisfame.com

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The recipient of the 2016 ABCA Meritorious Service Award is Mike Gustafson, President and CEO of the College Baseball Foundation. Gustafson has been instrumental in the development of the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in Lubbock, Texas, a project that recognizes some of college baseball’s most influential figures.

The Meritorious Service Award is presented to a person who has proven himself/herself in service to amateur baseball and the ABCA, and whose actions and involvement have resulted in a notable impact on the sport. Service may include years of participation, administration, contribution, innovation, or exposure/advancement of amateur baseball through media coverage.

The Meritorious Service Award will be presented to Gustafson at the Honors Luncheon during the ABCA Convention on Jan. 9, 2016 at 12 p.m. in Nashville. Tickets to the Honors Luncheon must be purchased in advance at www.ABCA.org/apply.

Gustafson has served as the President and CEO of the College Baseball Foundation since June of 2009. Until recently, there was not a national entity in place to honor and showcase the game’s rich past and to annually celebrate current collegiate baseball achievements. The College Baseball Foundation was created to become the founder of the National College Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame to distinguish this important and ongoing history.

College Baseball’s Night of Champions, hosted annually in Lubbock, Texas in early July, is an event in which the Hall of Fame inductions and college baseball awards are presented. The national champions and top achievements are recognized. Awards presented include the Skip Bertman Award, the Brooks Wallace Award, the National Pitcher of the Year Award, the John Olerud Award, the Dick Howser Trophy and the Johnny Bench Award.

Several ABCA Hall of Fame coaches have also been inducted to the College Baseball Hall of Fame. That list includes current ABCA Board Members Bob Bennett, Bill Holowaty, Jerry Kindall and Ron Polk, as well as deceased Board Members Bobo Brayton and John Winkin.

Gustafson’s connection to baseball goes back to his playing career in which he played on consecutive state tournament teams in 1984 and 1985 under legendary high school baseball coach Bobby Moegle at Lubbock Monterey High School. He attended Texas Tech and played baseball from 1986-89. In 1989, he was Texas Tech’s Male Scholar Athlete of the Year as part of the Southwest Conference’s 75th anniversary festivities.

After graduating from Texas Tech, Gustafson attended the University of Texas and obtained a master’s degree in sports management. In 2005, he earned his doctorate at Texas Tech in higher education administration.