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Mayor Pringle and the City of Anaheim Welcome the USA Men's Volleyball TeamU.S. volleyball picks Anaheim
The city, looking to expand its sports profile, agrees to assist the national team relocate its training.
By SARAH TULLY
The Orange County Register
ANAHEIM – USA Men's National Volleyball Team plans to start its regular practices here as early as May under a city plan to help the team relocate.
On Tuesday night, the City Council voted, 5-0, on a six-year agreement to assist the team with relocation, lodging, food and transportation expenses, both by helping it secure sponsors and granting money from the city's budget.
"The city really came to the party in terms of their willingness of support and trying to make this happen," Coach Hugh McCutcheon said. "They tried to accommodate our needs, and they did the best they could to put, what I think, is a very workable deal together."
The national team's move is part of the city's larger effort to become a sports town. The first Disneyland Resort half marathon is set for September. The city is working on luring an NBA Development League team, as well as competing to draw an NFL team.
"It's important for our community to know we're adding to our sports image," Councilman Bob Hernandez said.
For the first year, the team needs $481,980, about $200,000 of which has been promised by sponsors.
In addition, American Sports Centers is donating court time as the team prepares for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the 2012 Olympics in London. California Athlete Training Zone, which will be located inside the centers, will provide weight training and sports therapy services.
The volleyball players got a chance to try out their new home last summer with a two-week training visit.
American Sports Centers is the largest indoor training facility in the country with the largest wood floor in the world. The center normally rents court space for about $40 an hour.
Between 500 and 700 people attended the team's summer scrimmages.
"It's a nice feature for us in as much as it lends credibility to our facility," said Mike Gallups, the centers' general manager.
The team, with 20-24 members, wanted to move from Colorado Springs back to Southern California because about half the players are from the area and the altitude helps with training. The ball travels 2 or 3 feet farther with Colorado's altitude compared to sea-level. Most tournaments are at sea-level.
The team chose Anaheim over three other contenders, McCutcheon said.
So far, Anaheim Chevrolet has donated five cars, the Holiday Inn Express has set aside three rooms and about five restaurants have donated meals. But the city needs to find sponsors for enough lodging and food, said John Nicoletti, the city's spokesman who worked on the deal. If donors aren't found, the city will pay for the players' needs.
Nicoletti said he expects it will be easier to recruit sponsors now that the team has chosen Anaheim. He hopes that about 30 restaurants will come on board.
Practices will be open to the public.