The Northwest Athletic Association (NWAC) is pleased to announce the NWAC Men’s and Women’s Soccer Friendlies has grown into a Fall Festival with the addition of NWAC Volleyball. The Soccer and Volleyball matches will be held at the Willamalane Center for Sports and Recreation located in Springfield, Oregon, August 27-28, 2016. The NWAC is excited to be continuing its partnership with Willamalane Park and Recreation District, Eugene Cascades Coast Sports Commission, Lane Community College, and the City of Springfield in this one of a kind of event. Approximately 49 men’s and women’s soccer teams and 32 volleyball teams will kick off their season at Willamalane Sports and Recreation Center and at Lane Community College.
According to NWAC Executive Director, Marco Azurdia, “the Willamalane Recreation Center and the Eugene Cascades Coast Sports Commission were incredible hosts last year and we have always talked about growing this event and now with the inclusion of NWAC volleyball it is happening!”
Approximately over 1800 soccer and volleyball student-athletes and coaches will be competing in what is the opening event for their respective sports. This is definitely the biggest athletic sporting event ever done by the NWAC.
Azurdia added, “The NWAC is thrilled to provide this unique opportunity for our student-athletes and for the communities of Springfield and Eugene, Oregon. At many of our major events, student-athletes from NWAC are involved in a community service project. This year at the NWAC Fall Festival, member schools will be providing school supplies for the Brattain House to pass along to students in the Springfield area.”
Joey Jewell, Eugene Cascades Coast Sports Commission Director of Sports Sales & Development commented, “This is a tremendous opportunity for all of Lane County and we are all extremely excited to be hosting this unique event. For the first time ever, Volleyball has been added to increase the experience and overall feel for the 2016 NWAC Fall Festival. It is important to the local community, student-athletes and their coaches that we put together a first class event with an exceedingly high experience. Through the combined efforts of the NWAC, Lane Community College Athletic Department, Willamalane, the Brattain House, city of Springfield and the Eugene Cascades Coast Sports Commission we feel that goal has been accomplished.”
The estimated economic impact of the NWAC Fall Festival could be close to $598,000.
Another partner in this event is Hole in the Wall Catering. According to Gary Rodgers, General Manager, “Hole in the Wall Catering is proud to be a sponsor of the NWAC Fall Festival again this year! Events like this are great for our community and speaks to the good job that Eugene Cascades Coast Sports are doing for Lane County.”
*Soccer matches will be played at Willamalane Sports and Recreation Center and Lane Community College and all volleyball matches will be at Willamalane
