A breath of very good news from the Coors Cup hockey tournament: Despite the economic recession, they’ve been able to retain Coors as a sponsor. The event, which moves between Los Angeles and Denver, is hosted by the Colorado Gay Ice Hockey Association and the Los Angeles Blades hockey club. They even give cash prizes to the winning teams! This year the event is Sept 4-7 in Denver. Kudos to the organizers, who obviously deliver results on the sponsorship, and to Coors for sticking with this great event.
More information in a press release after the jump.
The Colorado Gay Ice Hockey Association (CGIHA) and the Los Angeles Blades Ice Hockey Club today announced that MillerCoors has renewed its title sponsorship agreement with the Coors Cup, the world’s only GLBT charity ice hockey tournament. Coors first signed as the title sponsor of the annual Coors Cup when the tournament was established jointly by the CGHIA and the Blades Ice Hockey Club in 2004.
“We are thrilled that MillerCoors, one of the premier brewers in the world, will continue its participation with the Coors Cup,” CGIHA president Andrew Winsett said. “The company’s enthusiastic support of the tournament has been invaluable to its enormous success and popularity.”
“MillerCoors is proud to continue its association with the Coors Cup,” MillerCoors regional general manager Paul Schmitt said. “We are excited to be part of such a well organized and successful event that honors diversity, sportsmanship, and philanthropy.”
“MillerCoors’ support ensures that the Coors Cup will continue to set the standard for GLBT athletic events,” LA Blades Hockey director Brynne Van Putten.
The Coors Cup, which is staged annually over the Labor Day weekend and alternates between Denver and Los Angeles, awards prize money to charitable organizations selected by the winning teams in each of the tournament’s divisions. To date the Coors Cup has awarded over $10,000. The tournament draws hockey players from across North America and has also attracted players from Europe.
The 2009 Coors Cup will take place September 4 – 7 at the Ice Centre at the Promenade in Westminster, Colo. More information is available at www.CoorsCup.com.
About CGIHA
The Colorado Gay Ice Hockey Association (CGIHA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide an outlet whereby gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans-gendered and gay positive individuals can play hockey in an environment free from all forms of harassment or discrimination and which encourages competition, fair play, openness, and friendship. The CGIHA oversees organized teams that compete in local leagues, as well as North American tournaments, the Gay Games, Outgames, and other international competitions. CGIHA hockey teams have won multiple championships and medals in both international competition and league play.
About the Los Angeles Blades Ice Hockey Club
Established in 1985, the Los Angeles Blades was the first openly gay and lesbian ice hockey team in the United States. The club includes teams that participate in local leagues, the Gay Games, and the Coors Cup, which the club hosts in alternate years. The Blades Ice Hockey Club membership covers a diverse group of individuals from all walks of life, which include gay, lesbian, straight, and married couples.
on Mar 9th, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Excellent news for the CGIHA. I wonder if the merger of Coors/Miller in the latest world brewers reconfiguration of the last decade or so exorcised the Coors familys demons or pushed them out of control. That was a very conservative family/outfit and had some very poor labor relations w/their union employees. Any one out there in the bevie industry or a proper union man/woman know?
on Mar 9th, 2009 at 8:56 PM
Paee and Joe Coors contribute much more significant sums of their personal money to anti-gay causes. The Coors family used their business to make contributions
to gay causes to make more money. Our community should shun their business.
on Mar 30th, 2009 at 6:51 PM
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