Billiards Slated for 2005 State Games of America

Colorado Springs, CO. - Colorado Springs will continue its tradition of hosting national sporting events when it welcomes the State Games of America in 2005 and 2007. The National Congress of State Games (NCSG) Board of Directors awarded the State Games of America bid to the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation in April, and for the first time, pocket billiards will be a featured sport. 

The 2005 national competition will run concurrent to the Colorado Rocky Mountain State Games and feature individual medal disciplines in five divisions: Juniors (age 18 & under), Men's Open (age 19-54), Women's Open (age 19-49), Men's Seniors (age 55+) and Women's Seniors (age 50+). All divisions will compete o­n 7-foot tables using the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) world standardized rules.

Currently, seven State Games include billiards: Montana (Big Sky State Games), Colorado (Rocky Mountain State Games), Iowa (Iowa Games), New Mexico (New Mexico Games), Arizona (Grand Canyon State Games), Indiana (State Games of Indiana) and Nebraska (Cornhusker State Games). Billiard medallists from the 2003/2004 State Games or the 2004/2005 Winter Games in any of the states listed above will be qualified to compete in the 2005 State Games of America.

The State Games of America is an elite grassroots multi-sport festival that is the culmination of the 49 State Games events across the country. Held every two years, the State Games of America began in St. Louis in 1999.  It was created to bring State Games competition to the next level in a national forum featuring the top athletes from each State Games event.In addition to pocket billiards, the 2005 State Games of America (July 28-31) will include 22 other sports: 5K run, archery, badminton, basketball, bowling, diving, field hockey, figure skating, foosball, golf, gymnastics, inline hockey, martial arts, racquetball, soccer, softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field, triathlon, weightlifting and wrestling. You do not need to be affiliated with any billiard organization in order to participate. For more information o­n the 2005 State Games of America, visit the State Games website: www.stategames.org.

The Billiard Congress of America (BCA) is a non-profit 501(c)(6) trade organization, dedicated to providing its members with exceptional value by promoting and growing cue sports worldwide. The BCA supports its membership with educational programs, the International Billiard & Home Recreation Expo, tournaments and other programs designed to make pool everybody's game.  For more information, please visit www.bca-pool.com. 

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Amy Long, Director of Marketing & Business Development

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