2013 USA Ultimate National Championships Head to Frisco, Texas

2013 USA ULTIMATE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS HEAD TO FRISCO, TEXAS

Season Concludes Oct. 17-20 at FC Dallas Complex

Boulder, Colo. (February 22, 2013)—Frisco, Texas will host the 2013 USA Ultimate National Championships Oct. 17-20, the national governing body for the sport of Ultimate announced today.

Co-organized by the Dallas Ultimate Association and USA Ultimate, the four-day event represents the culmination of the competitive Ultimate season in North America and awards a national championship to tournament winners in Men’s, Women’s and Mixed divisions. The event, which also serves as the final leg of the inaugural USA Ultimate Triple Crown Tour, will be held at the FC Dallas Complex , home of the city's MLS team, and Frisco ISD Memorial Stadium.

Preliminary and consolation rounds will take place at the FC Dallas Complex, followed by nationally broadcast semifinal rounds and championship games from Memorial Stadium.

The Triple Crown Tour represents the highest level of competitive Ultimate in the world and consists of two major events – the U.S. Open and the National Championships – and a regular season rankings formula. Thousands of dollars in prize money is on the line for winners of all three individual elements of the Tour, as well as for any team that can claim all three titles to win the Triple Crown.



"For the first time in 13 years we are holding our National Championships in a new location," explained USA Ultimate CEO Tom Crawford, "and we are very excited that the Dallas Ultimate Association and the Frisco Convention and Visitors Bureau will be our hosts. There is a strong fan base for Ultimate in Texas, and we’re looking forward to showcasing the highest level of competitive Ultimate to a large fan base in Texas as well as around the world via our broadcast partner. We look forward to not only crowning three national champions in Frisco, but also potentially USA Ultimate’s first Triple Crown winner.

The annual tournament hosts 48 teams and more than 1,200 athletes from across North America.

"We are thrilled to partner with USA Ultimate and FC Dallas Stadium on bringing this action sports event and its athletes to our city that is full of young, sports-minded residents," said LaChelle Evans, Senior Sales Manager for the Frisco Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Frisco and FC Dallas Stadium is a great fit for USA Ultimate. Frisco continues to grow as a premier sports destination, and we look forward to showing the athletes and spectators true Texas hospitality."

After 13 straight years in Sarasota, Fla., the USA Ultimate National Championships move to a state and community steeped in Ultimate tradition and unparalleled local support. The defending Men’s division champions, Austin's Doublewide, will look to defend their title in their home state, while perennial title contenders Showdown (Women’s division) and Cosa Nostra (Mixed division) will also set their sights on Frisco.

"The Dallas Ultimate Association is very pleased to assist USA Ultimate in hosting the 2013 National Championships," commented the DUA Board of Director’s Jeff Jordan. "Our players, volunteers and fans from Texas and across the Southwest are eager to participate, support and watch the best Ultimate in the USA."

This marks the sixth time this event has been held in Texas, and the first time in 17 years: 1996 (Plano); 1993 (Selma); 1986 (Houston); 1982 (Austin); 1981 (Austin).

The USA Ultimate Triple Crown Tour kicks off July 4 with the U.S. Open Ultimate Championships & Convention July 4-7 in Raleigh, N.C.