Martinsville, SRSC to host USA Ultimate Atlantic Coast Regionals

The Smith River Sports Complex (SRSC) and USA Ultimate are proud to announce that the 2016 Atlantic Coast D-I College Regionals will be this weekend, April 30 - May 1 in Axton, Va. The regional tournament will bring 32 college teams to the Complex for a chance at advancing to the national championships.

"This is truly one of our most exciting events we have all year long," SRSC Director of Operations Billy Russo said. "These men and women ultimate athletes from all over the east coast competing for a spot in the D-I College National's here at the SRSC is going to be a blast to witness and having them stay in our community is always a pleasure." 

The event will bring 32 college teams, 16 men's teams and 16 women's teams, from 5 states and D.C. Teams will be visiting the Martinsville-Henry County community from: D.C., Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Among the teams visiting, five are nationally ranked in the USA ultimate top-25 poll entering this weekend; No. 5 UNC men, No. 8 UNCW men, No. 20 Virginia Tech men, No. 16 UVA women and No. 25 UNC women. 

"The Smith River Sports Complex is centrally located in USA Ultimate's Atlantic Coast region, which stretches from Delaware to South Carolina," said Dave Branick, USA Ultimate Atlantic Coast Men's College Director. "We are always considering SRSC for a number of regional level events. The facility is top notch, the complex has great amenities and the staff make it as easy as possible on us to run our event."

Rain or shine the games will be able to go on this Saturday and Sunday with first round games beginning on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. The final round of games on Saturday is slated to begin around 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, bracket play will continue with the men's championship beginning at 10:30 a.m. followed by the women's championship at 12:30 p.m. Two men's teams and one women's team will finish Sunday with a bid to play for the national championship in Raleigh on May 27-30. 

Combining the non-stop movement and athletic endurance of soccer with the aerial passing skills of football, a game of ultimate is played by two seven-player squads with a high-tech plastic disc on a field similar to football. The object of the game is to score by catching a pass in the opponent’s end zone.  Ultimate is a transition game in which players move quickly from offense to defense on turnovers that occur with a dropped pass, an interception, a pass out of bounds, or when a player is caught holding the disc for more than ten seconds. 

Admission is free to all games and the public is encouraged to come join the excitement of ultimate while rooting on their favorite college team.

"The athletes participating do so for the love of the sport and put on a great show of spirit and athleticism," Branick said. "Ultimate is a great example of sportsmanship and fair play. It's also fun and easy to come out and pull for the team representing your favorite college or university!" 

For more information or a full schedule of games, please call 276-638-5200, ext. 2, or email hstutz@SmithRiverSportsComplex.com. Also be sure to follow the Smith River Sports Complex on Facebook and Twitter @SmithRiverSport for the latest news around SRSC.

List of Competing Teams

Men's Teams:

1. North Carolina - Chapel Hill (#5)

2. North Carolina - Wilmington (#8)         

3. South Carolina

4. Clemson

5. North Carolina State

6. Wake Forest

7. Georgetown

8. Maryland

9. George Washington University

10. John Hopkins

11. American

12. James Madison

13. Virginia

14. Virginia Tech

15. Virginia Commonwealth University

16. William & Mary 

Women's Teams:

1. North Carolina - Chapel Hill

2. North Carolina State

3. North Carolina - Wilmington

4. South Carolina

5. Clemson

6. Delaware

7. Maryland

8. Georgetown

9. George Washington University

10. Towson

11. American

12. Virginia (#16)

13. James Madison

14. Virginia Commonwealth University

15. Liberty

16. George Mason

The Smith River Sports Complex's mission is to fulfill the community need for diverse sports opportunities, enhance the visibility and image of the Martinsville-Henry County area and, through sports tourism, bring additional revenues to support local businesses and boost economic growth in the region.