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Rust Belt Challenge set for YSU’s WATTS
Rust Belt Challenge Volleyball Tournament
Gallery
By Charles grove
This weekend the Watson and Tressel Training Site at Youngstown State will be transformed into a volleyball castle as 60 competitive travel teams will participate in a two-day event.
Photo Gallery: Rust Belt Challenge Volleyball Tournament
The Rust Belt Challenge will showcase athletes and teams from Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia, and according to the event’s website, coaches from YSU, Hiram, Lake Erie, Edinboro, Capital, Robert Morris, Cedarville, Malone, Clarion, Hocking and Mount Union will be on hand looking to scout the talent.
The tournament’s director is Boardman alumnus Jason Jones. He said he’s glad he was able to bring an event like this to his hometown.
“I know there’s a need for tournaments like this,” Jones said. “Volleyball is a growing sport and it’s nice to give back a little to my hometown and try to revitalize it a little.”
The WATTS will have a temporary playing surface put down on it to keep everything in one place.
“We’re putting down sports court and laying it down over the turf,” Jones said. “This will bring a lot of new eyeballs to the campus of YSU.”
YSU head volleyball coach Mark Hardaway said his team recruits anywhere from Florida to California, but it doesn’t get much better than getting to recruit right in your own backyard.
“We were very excited when we found out about this tournament,” Hardaway said. “We’re hoping it’s something that will grow because it’s really nice to recruit from your own campus.”
Jones hopes to see local businesses rake in some money as well.
“Usually there’s a pretty consistent formula with the tournaments we do on Florida Beach,” Jones said. “If you’re over 21 you typically will spend $231 per weekend and if you’re under 21 it’ll be about 25 percent less. Hotels in the area should hit about the $250,000 mark.”
Spectators going to the event can purchase tickets the day of the event for $5. Doors will open each day at 7 a.m. with games starting at 8 a.m. Teams will be participating in divisions from 12U all the way up to 18U.