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YEAR TWO OF THE NUTMEG STATE GAMES END SUCCESSFULLY 

We didn't have the Northwest Connecticut Convention & Visitors Bureau on hand this year to conduct face-to-face surveys, but we did have our own HVSports President Dick Murray.

Dick did the bulk of the head counts.  Consequently, we are comfortable is saying that we averaged 61 people at each of the approximately 375 games.

PLUS ...  we had significant turnouts for wrestling (somewhere around 700 people), fencing (where participation tripled at Tom Ciccarone's White Street Candlewood Fencing Center) and track & field ("too many to count," reports Mr. Murray).

So, the Murray Meter would suggest The Games attracted somewhere around 24,200 individual visits to Danbury - all people who otherwise would not be here to spend their hard-earned dollars.

In 2008, the Convention & Visitors Bureau confirmed 27,050 visitors.  This means, in 2009, we were down 8.9% --- not bad, given our economy.

Applying the Convention & Visitors Bureau's math from a year ago, we can safely and conservatively say that our 2009 visitors spent $528,143 at city businesses this past month.

This all began with figure skating on July 11-12, continued with the largest-ever women's softball tournament July 17-19 and then moved to the core of The Games this past nine days.

We firmly believe The Nutmeg State Games were a positive event for Danbury.  Certainly we helped our local economy and showcased our city to our state.  Additionally, Danbury's youngsters were able to stand tall on the best athletic fields in Connecticut.  OK, that's a bit of a subjective statement but who else has five synthetic surfaces plus the soccer complex at Kenosia, the softball complex at Hatters Community Park and the baseball complex at Rogers Park?.

Our two-year contract for The Games is up.

A third year can be a mutually-agreed-upon decision between HV Sports and The Connecticut Sports Management Group (The Games).  But if we did host a third year, this would be our last because The Games' by-laws require that they move around the state.  There are three other cities vying for 2010.

Again, on behalf of Mayor Boughton and the entire Housatonic Valley Sports Organizing Committee, thanks the Sponsors and the Greater Danbury Community for your support in bringing this event to Danbury.

Wayne J. Shepperd
HV Sports,Local Organizing Committee Chair 

BREAKFAST WITH GENO AURIEMMA FUNDRAISER SUCCESSFUL

Geno Auriemma

GENO AURIEMMA

DANBURY – University of Connecticut Women’s Basketball Coach Geno Auriemma certainly kept the attention of the 440 attendees at the HV Sports breakfast on September, 3 at the Amber Room.

The Hall of Fame coach shared numerous, humorous anecdotes.  At one point, he questioned why youngsters need to ride bicycles with helmets, knee pads and elbow pads rather than simply “don't fall of the bike.”

He also talked about his new duty as head coach of the U.S. Women’s National team that will compete in the 2012 Olympics.  He explained that coaching that group would be decidedly different than dealing with his younger players at Storrs.   “With the other group (the national team), I'll just give the ball to Diana Taurasi and say ‘here, do whatever you want with the ball.”

Auriemma has earned six national championships, had 10 Final Four appearances and enjoyed three perfect seasons.  He has received seven National Coach of the Year Awards

The breakfast netted HV Sports approximately $15,000 thanks to table hosts and their “tipping” guests.  The money will be used to fulfill the mission of HV Sports of bringing sporting events to greater Danbury.

Sponsors included:

Arconti Painting spacer Robert J. Reby Company
Ralph McIntosh and Deltron Precision spacer Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home
Frank Kovacs spacer Dan DiBuono and Tower Realty
Dick Murray spacer Cartus
Richter Park Golf Course spacer Webster Bank
Wayne Shepperd spacer Fletcher Thompson, Inc.
Breakfast Co-chair Jody Rajcula spacer Savings Bank of Danbury
Union Savings Bank spacer Joe Walkovich Associates
Blansfield Builders spacer Jan Brown
The Rizzo Companies spacer Al Mead
Brookfield Girls Basketball spacer Bill Morlock
Wells Fargo Home Mortgages I   WCSU Foundation
Wells Fargo Home Mortgages II   Mannkind Corporation
Executive Register   Independent Realty Group
Green Funeral Home   Mittler, Mercaldo & Braun
Bethel Baseball Assn.   Danbury Arena
Nolan Enterprises   DHS Athletics
Mike Malone and the Danbury Westerners   GDCC Business & Industry
Foundation


2009 & BEYOND

HV Sports is continually looking to secure appropriate local, regional and national sporting events and activities that have a positive impact on the region's economy and quality of life. If your organization has a  Sporting Event that fits our Mission Statement please contact HV Sports President, Dick Murray at 203-744-3734 or e-mail murr1959@aol.com