Play Up Tour - Week Two

The Play Up Tour continued last weekend in San Jose, CA.

I flew in the night before and was able to attend the men's game between San Jose State and Fresno State.

After the game I had dinner with Michael Beaubien, Director of Marketing at SJSU and Brian Bates, Associate Executive Director of the SJSU Alumni Association...they took me to the best pizza place...Pizza My Heart. Now, I am not a huge pizza fan. Odd, I know....I have been told this several times. So, heading into the establishment I was a bit skeptical but seriously, the pizza was amazing. They give you a giant slice with tons of toppings. It was glorious.

The next day at the women's game we gave away 150 Play Up t-shirts to fans as they entered the facility. In addition to the Play Up festivities SJSU also had a pre-game program in honor of their 40th anniversary in women's athletics. About 100 former female student-athletes and coaches were in attendance at the luncheon and were then recognized on court at half time.

San Jose State 52 / Nevada 66

After the game I was back on a plane to Denver.

Next week the Play Up Tour hits Fresno State and Utah State.

The first 200 fans in attendance at the Fresno State game will receive a mini sharpie. Sunday's game is also their National Girls and Women in Sports Day .

Those of you attending the Utah State women's game we will distribue water bottles to the first 200 fans in attendance.

Click HERE for more information on the Play Up Tour.

Play Up Tour - New Mexico State University

This past weekend Hope Shuler, Director of Media Relations and I went to Las Cruces, New Mexico for the first stop in the Play Up Tour.

Day one of our trip:
Our adventure began on Saturday evening with an uneventful plane ride to El Paso, TX.
It was about an hour and fifteen minutes plane ride. Thankfully we each had our iPods and cell phone games to keep us busy. I am a huge country music fan and Hope is not....we are in a continuous argument over the song 'Come on Get Higher' originally composed by Matt Nathanson. Hope likes his version of the song and I prefer the Sugarland version. I think it sounds better....you be the judge. To hear each version simply click on the artist. I am sure you will agree with my verdict.

After we land in El Paso, it's about a 45 minute car ride to Las Cruces. We alternated the radio stations, one country song then one hip hop song or 80’s song. Although we actually only listened to about 30 seconds of each country song before flipping the station. Hope really hates country. It was dark so unfortunately I can't describe the scenery.

Day two of our trip:
We got up and had the most amazing breakfast burritos from Santa Fe Grill at the PIC Quik gas station. The burrito was so good I refuse to order one at another restaurant for fear of disappointment. After our fantastic breakfast burrito experience we headed over to the Pan Am Center to set up our promotional table. At each Play Up Tour stop we will distribute a promotional item to fans as they enter the arena. NMSU chose pom poms as their item. Fans also had the opportunity to register for a WAC prize pack (includes WAC shirt, hat and some other items). All fans who register for the WAC prize pack are eligible for the grand prize drawing at the end of the tour for a trip for two to the 2009 WAC Basketball Tournament in Reno, NV.




New Meixco State 80 / Fresno State 74




Day three of our trip:
Monday morning we were at the airport at 5am to catch our 6am flight. Talk about an early morning! Thankfully we stayed the night in El Paso so it was a quick drive to the airport.

Well that’s it for our first stop.

This Sunday we have three Play Up Tour stops scheduled:

Sunday, Jan. 25 – San Jose, Calif.
Nevada at San Jose State, 2 p.m.
The first 150 fans in attendance will receive a WAC Play UP t-shirt.

Sunday, Jan. 25 – Boise, Idaho
Louisiana Tech at Boise State, 2 p.m.
The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a pom pom courtesy of the WAC.

Sunday, Jan. 25 – Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Utah State at Hawai‘i, 5 p.m.
The first 400 fans in attendance will receive a rally towel courtesy of the WAC.

Submitted by: Megan Allen, Director of Marketing

Not everyone has the opportunity to attend a WAC Tournament, but now thanks to the WAC's partnership with Pictopia.com fans will have the opportunity to purchase pictures from each of our tournaments.

This is your chance to get a glimpse of the game winning shot, close finish or a photo of the WAC Tournament Champions. To view pictures from our 2008 cross country, women's soccer and volleyball tournaments click HERE

Purchase pictures for your basement, a room dedicated to your alma mater or your office.

We hope you enjoy this new feature.

As always for the latest in WAC news log onto http://www.wacsports.com/

Play Up Tour Returns

For those of you who are unaware of the 'Play Up Tour', the tour is designed to improve perceptions and increase exposure of the WAC and its nine member schools. "Play Up" is more than just a slogan; it is the WAC’s promise to never settle for mediocrity.

For the past three years one women's basketball game per school has been deemed a "Play Up" game. At the game a WAC staff member will be on site to distribute a promotional item to the first 200 or so fans who enter the arena. Fans will also have the opportunity to sign up to win a WAC prize pack that includes WAC apparel and other WAC related items. All fans that enter the drawing will be eligible for the grand prize of a WAC Basketball Tournament package. The package includes airfare, hotel accomodations and two tickets to the tournament.

The following are the dates and promotional item descriptions for this years Play Up Tour. All times are local and subject to change. Please check http://www.wacsports.com/ for the most up-to-date women's basketball information.

Sunday, Jan. 18 –
Las Cruces, N.M.
Fresno State at New Mexico State, 2 p.m.
The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a pom -pom courtsey of the WAC

Sunday, Jan. 25 –
San Jose, Calif.
Nevada at San Jose State, 2 p.m.
The first 150 fans in attendance will receive a t-shirt courtsey of the WAC

Sunday, Jan. 25 –
Boise, Idaho
Louisiana Tech at Boise State, 2 p.m.
The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a pom-pom courtsey of the WAC.

Sunday, Jan. 25 –
Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Utah State at Hawai‘i, 5 p.m.
The first 300 fans in attendance will receive a rally towel courtsey of the WAC

Friday, Jan. 30 –
Logan, Utah
Hawai‘i at Utah State, 7 p.m.
The first 200 fans will receive a water bottler courtsey of the WAC

Sunday, Feb. 1 –
Fresno, Calif.
Utah State at Fresno State, 2 p.m.
The first 200 fans will receive a mini sharpie courtsey of the WAC

Sunday, Feb. 8 –
Reno, Nev.
Utah State at Nevada, 2 p.m.
The first 300 fans will receive a cinch sack backpack courtsey of the WAC

Friday, Feb. 13 –
Ruston, La.
Hawai‘i at Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m.
The first 150 fans in attendance will receive a t-shirt courtsey of the WAC

Sunday, Feb. 15 –
Moscow, Idaho
San Jose State at Idaho, 2 p.m.
The first 300 fans will receive a cinch sack backpack courtsey of the WAC

We hope to see you at one or more of the above mentioned games. For more information on the Play Up Tour please contact Megan Allen (mallen@wac.org) at the WAC office at (303) 962-4204.