FYI from the BIG EAST ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            Contact: Chris Magnoli (cmagnoli@bigeast.org)

May 2, 2012                                                                                                                                                      

SPIRE INSTITUTE TO HOST 2013 BIG EAST INDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

State-of-the-art facility to become just the fourth site of the BIG EAST Championships

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The BIG EAST Conference announced Tuesday that the 2013 BIG EAST Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championships will be held at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio.

SPIRE is one of the world’s largest indoor Olympic-grade, multi-sport training, event, and academic complexes. The agreement calls for the 2013 BIG EAST Indoor Track & Field Championships to be held Feb. 16-17, with additional years to be decided individually.

“We appreciate the efforts of the SPIRE leadership, as well as those of the Cleveland Sports Commission, for the work they have put in to making this partnership possible,” said James Siedliski, BIG EAST Associate Commissioner for Olympic Sports. “We are looking forward to building a relationship which is rooted in putting on quality events. This is a great place for our athletes, coaches and fans. SPIRE not only gives our athletes a great opportunity for success at the BIG EAST Championships, but will position them well for success at the NCAA Championships.”

The SPIRE Institute, a 240,000-square-foot clear-span indoor track & field complex opened in January of 2010. With 85-foot-high ceilings, a 300-meter, eight-lane track and separate throwing, long and high jump and pole vault areas, the state-of-the-art complex was deemed by Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson as one of the best track & field complexes in the world. Overlooking the track, a 25,000-square-foot glass-encased banquet, hospitality and meeting space provides an optimal location with gourmet dining options for special events.

“We are extremely pleased to have the BIG EAST Conference bring their indoor track & field championships here to SPIRE Institute in 2013,” said Charlie Powell, Director of Track & Field at SPIRE Institute. “With the quality of athletes that compete in the BIG EAST, and SPIRE's world-class facility, this event will be an outstanding showcase of track & field.”  

“We are very excited to be hosting the 2013 Indoor Track & Field Championships at SPIRE Institute,” said Bobby Weygand, BIG EAST Director of Sport Administration. “It’s a great opportunity for our student athletes to showcase their talents at a premier facility like SPIRE.”

The SPIRE Institute will become just the fourth site of the BIG EAST Indoor Track & Field Championships. The championships were held at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y., from 1980 to 2005, and have been held at the Stile Athletics Field House in Akron, Ohio, (2006-07, 2011) and at the New Balance Armory in New York City (2008-10, 2012).

- The BIG EAST is the largest and most diverse Division I conference in the country.  It was formed in 1979 and represents the athletic interests of 16 member institutions including the University of Cincinnati, University of Connecticut, DePaul University, Georgetown University, University of Louisville, Marquette University, University of Notre Dame, University of Pittsburgh, Providence College, Rutgers University, St. John’s University, Seton Hall University, University of South Florida, Syracuse University, Villanova University and West Virginia University.

The BIG EAST Conference has captured 32 national championships in six different sports and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series.  For more information on the Conference and its membership, please visit www.bigeast.org. -

About SPIRE Institute

SPIRE integrates sports and education, training and learning with a focus on the development of the whole self.  It features 750,000 sq. ft. of Olympic grade facilities under roof, acres of outdoor fields and a multi-sport stadium complex. SPIRE can simultaneously host clubs, leagues, tournaments and championship events no matter the weather or the season. Spire Institute and its nationally renowned coaches will offer residential training programs in soccer, track & field, volleyball, swimming and basketball.  Junior athletes will train alongside collegians, professionals, wounded veterans, Olympians, Paralympians and masters level athletes. SPIRE will offer residential semester athletic programs, weekend and weekly sports training sessions, mental conditioning, sports medicine, nutrition and wellness programs, and a variety of customized academic options.  SPIRE Institute is a part of the Geneva area Recreational, Educational and Athletic Trust, a non-profit organization that re-invests every dollar back into the development of its athletes, its programs and its facilities.