by SCOTTSDALE – The Fiesta Bowl has been named title sponsor of the 2018 Lori Piestewa National Native American Games, the Arizona Sports and Entertainment Commission announced today.
The largest competition of its kind, the 2018 Lori Piestewa National Native American Games will be held from July 20-22, 2018 at sites across the Valley. The games are named for Lori Piestewa, a U.S. Army soldier killed in Iraq in 2003. Piestewa, a Hopi from Tuba City, Ariz., was the first Native American woman to die in combat while serving in the military.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Lori Piestewa National Native American Games and support the Native American community, with all the athletes and spectators who will come out for this event,” said Steve Leach, chair of the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors.
“Many of the participants may have been positively impacted by our football games or year-round community outreach events. This partnership opportunity will help us further that relationship while focusing on our core pillars of youth, sports and education.”
The opening ceremony for the 2018 Lori Piestewa National Native American Games is set for Friday, July 20 at 12 p.m. at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort, 7200 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Athletes from across North America will compete in basketball, volleyball, youth baseball, softball, cross country and track and field.
In 2017, the games drew over 2,000 athletes and 17,000 spectators. Registration and event information can be found on www.azsportsent.com.
“We are grateful for the Fiesta Bowl’s generous support,” said Nikki Balich, executive director of theArizona Sports and Entertainment Commission. “This partnership will elevate the Lori Piestewa NationalNative American Games and help us honor a homegrown Arizona hero in a celebration of sports.”
About Fiesta Bowl:
The Fiesta Bowl’s vision is to be a world-class community organization that executesinnovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans. As a nonprofit organization, it believes in the importance of community outreach and service.Through charitable giving, the organization strives to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations thatcontribute to the success of communities through youth, sports and education. Since 1971, Fiesta BowlCharities has worked to increase its footprint across the state and work to benefit Arizonans year round,during and outside of bowl season. For more information about its local impact and how to get involved,visit FiestaBowl.org.
About the Arizona Sports and Entertainment Commission:
The Arizona Sports and EntertainmentCommission (ASEC) is a non-profit organization created in 1988. The Commission collaborates withhundreds of partners to help fulfill the mission of bringing national and international sporting events tothe state; assisting in the promotion of existing events and Arizona sports teams; providing volunteerrecruitment and organization for large-scale sporting events; and developing youth sports programs. In2009, it assumed oversight of the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2012, the Grand Canyon StateGames. ASEC was the founding organization and owner of the 2015 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl.For more information about the Commission call 480.517.9700 or visit www.azsportsent.com.
