This year's Sports Leadership Award was hand-painted specifically for the Oregon MLK Classic
Over the MLK holiday weekend in January, the University of Oregon women’s volleyball program hosted its fifth annual Oregon MLK Team Classic. The three-day event drew approximately 180 teams from across the western United States, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Northern California. College recruiters also attended the event to scout talent.
The Moshofsky Sports Center at the University of Oregon was transformed into a massive indoor volleyball arena, creating more than 24 courts for the high schools girls’ club volleyball teams to utilize. Due to the increase in size this past year, the tournament also utilized the practice courts in Matthew Knight Arena, Mac Court, and the Student Recreation Center, all on the university campus.
The tournament proved to grow in both quality and quantity this year. With a large number of teams and spectators, the Oregon MLK Team Classic generated over 2,475 room nights and had a nearly $600,000 economic impact. It is now considered the most prestigious early season club tournament in the Northwest.
The Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports Commission and Travel Lane County congratulate the University of Oregon Women’s Volleyball program for the success of the Oregon MLK Team Classic Tournament. They are this year’s recipient of the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports Leadership Award, presented to a local resident or business that’s directly responsible for the confirmation of a sports event bringing a significant number of overnight visitors to Lane County.
