FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Record Attendance Announced for the AVP Crocs Tour Pringles Smart Flavors Cincinnati Open presented by Herbalife
 

Almost 30,000 fans witness the “Grand Slam in the Sand” at Lindner Family Tennis Center over Labor Day Weekend

CINCINNATI, Sept. 6, 2007 – Reach Event Marketing, local promoters of the AVP Crocs Tour Pringles Smart Flavors Cincinnati Open presented by Herbalife announced today record attendance figures for the regular season-ending Crocs Cup championship that took place at Lindner Family Tennis Center over Labor Day weekend.

Almost 30,000 fans witnessed professional beach volleyball at its best as the women’s team of Misty May-Treanor/Kerri Walsh and the men’s team of Phil Dalhausser/Todd Rogers took home the coveted Crocs Cup trophy, awarded to the Crocs Tour most outstanding teams for the regular season.  Three of the five sessions from Friday through Sunday were complete sell-outs and the overall three-day attendance mark was up 50 percent over last year, a record increase for the AVP Crocs Tour, according to Tour officials.

The event also included several special moments.  On Friday May-Treanor treated 150 Hamilton County Special Olympic youth athletes to a day of fun and entertainment.  The Olympic Gold medalist purchased all the athlete’s tickets so they could enjoy center court matches.  She also presented the group Special Olympic T-shirts, signed autographs and posed for pictures, and addressed the group in a private tent party during lunch that was provided by local sponsors Coca-Cola and LaRosa’s.

On Saturday night before the men’s finals that was televised live on MyNetworkTV (WSTR 64 locally), legendary Karch Kiraly, who is retiring after this season, was honored with “Karch Kiraly Bobblehead Night” sponsored by Kroger.  Tournament officials along with Greater Cincinnati business leaders and dignitaries presented Kiraly with several special commemorative gifts and sent the “King” home with memories for a lifetime.

“Volleyballooza” made its debut on Sunday before the women’s finals.  Volleyballooza is a take on the annual Manhattan Beach phenomenon know as the 6-man surf fest, where hundreds of men and women dress in costume and participate in a competitive beach volleyball tournament.  Cincinnati’s own Volleyballooza was smaller in size, featuring two competitive amateur 6-man teams from Cincinnati and Columbus playing on center court.  The spectacle is expected to grow and is open to teams from all across the Tri-state region and beyond for the 2008 event.