Erie to Host USA Ultimate Northeastern Championships

The Erie Sports Commission (ESC) is pleased to announce that Erie won the right to host the USA Ultimate Youth Club Regional Championships, October 7-8 at Edinboro University. Four USA Ultimate Youth Club Regional Championship events will be held throughout the United States in 2017, replacing the high school regional events that were held from 2012-2016.

USA Ultimate is the national governing body for the sport of ultimate and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The bid to host the event was co-sponsored by the Erie Sports Commission, Erie Ultimate League and Edinboro University. A game of ultimate is played by two teams with a flying disc on a field with end zones, combining the non-stop movement and athletic endurance of soccer with the aerial passing skills of football.

The Northeast Region includes teams from Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia. More than 500 young athletes are expected to participate in the tournament.

Team applications will be accepted in three age divisions – U-20, U-17 and U-15. The applications will be available beginning in June 2017. Teams will be selected based on team strength, geographic representation and recent participation in sanctioned youth tournaments.

Other locations selected to host youth regional championships were Ames, Iowa (Central Championships) and Chattanooga, Tenn. (Southern Championships). A site to host the Western Championships has yet to be announced.

"The Erie Sports Commission is proud to host USA Ultimate as it brings the 2017 USA Ultimate Youth Club Northeastern Championships to Erie for the first time," said Ron Sertz, Executive Director of the Erie Sports Commission. "We are thrilled to have been chosen to host hundreds of young athletes from across the northeastern United States. I'm certain this is just the beginning of a long relationship with USA Ultimate."

"Erie Ultimate League Enterprises is excited to be working with the ESC and Edinboro University to bring this event to Erie,” said Hayden Weaver, Founder and Director of Erie Ultimate League Enterprises, LLC. "Hosting this premier event is a great chance to showcase this great sport to all of the local schools and youth. EULE looks forward to helping USAU expand ultimate's presence in Erie."

For more information, visit www.usaultimate.org.

The Erie Sports Commission is committed to promoting the Erie region as a prime destination for sports and recreation. The major goals of the ESC are to attract, create, support, and host sporting and recreational events that have a positive economic impact on the region, and assist in maximizing the potential of all regional sports facilities and venues. The ESC strives to enhance the image of Erie by showcasing the community, promote wellness through healthy lifestyles, and improve the quality of life for community members of all ages.