In the News

2010-02-16

By Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press  

West Michigan Sports Commission officials had plenty to say today about this summer's inaugural State Games of Michigan.

2010-02-15

By Bill Simonson | The Huge Show

With Valentine's Day now in the rearview mirror, here are five things I still love in the world of sports.

2010-02-10

Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press

It wouldn't seem likely that retired college football coaches Lloyd Carr and George Perles would team on something. After all, Carr coached at Michigan and Perles led rival Michigan State. However, the two will unite for the fourth annual West Michigan Sports Commission Luncheon on Sept. 20. Perles and Carr will serve as co-speakers at the event.

2010-02-10

Holland Sentinel

Former University of Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr and ex-Michigan State coach George Perles will speak at the fourth annual West Michigan Sports Commission Luncheon Sept. 20.

2010-02-06

By Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press

Sam Moore of Grand Rapids has some information for parents interested in getting their children involved in the sport of fencing.

2010-01-29

By Steve Ungrey | The Grand Rapids Press

The idea has many Little League presidents happy something new is in the works. What looks good on paper, however, may not work when it comes to playing on the field.

2010-01-11

By Cami Reister | The Grand Rapids Press

Hoping to entice more young people to stick around the region, the West Michigan Strategic Alliance is offering free training to employers who want to start or improve internship programs.

2010-01-04

Grand Rapids Business Journal

By David Czurak

In addition to trying to lure more sporting events to the region, the West Michigan Sports Commission also will attempt to make its dream for a new sports complex a reality in 2010.

2009-12-30

By Greg Johnson | The Grand Rapids Press

ADA TOWNSHIP -- After the best male junior golfers in the world come to Egypt Valley Country Club in July for the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, an event foundation plans a lasting local impact.

2009-12-06

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Grand Rapids and the West Michigan Sports Commission were selected Friday to host the 2010 U.S. Table Tennis Open, scheduled for June 30 to July 3.

2009-12-05

WZZM
by Phil Dawson  Jessica Puchala

Many people know it as ping pong but to the world it's table tennis and next year hundreds of the best players on earth are coming to Grand Rapids.  

2009-12-04

WZZM
By Bob Brenzing

The USA Table Tennis announced Friday that the West Michigan Sports Commission and the city of Grand Rapids, Mich., have been awarded the 2010 U.S. Table Tennis Open scheduled for June 30-July 3.

2009-12-04

By Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press

Dell Sweeris’ passion for table tennis can be traced back to the late 1950s, when he would head down to the Riverside Middle School basement and take on his classmates during lunch.

2009-12-04

by Anthony Bartkowski - USA Archery

USA Table Tennis announced Friday that the West Michigan Sports Commission and the city of Grand Rapids, Mich., have been awarded the 2010 U.S. Table Tennis Open scheduled for June 30-July 3.

2009-11-20

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP -- An attraction that could draw millions in sports tourism dollars might be coming to Kent County, but backers have to raise an estimated $5 million to make it happen

2009-11-16

Thursday, Kent County Commissioners will hear a proposal to sell 80 acres of land off 10 Mile Road in Rockford near the former landfill to the West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC).

2009-11-11

The West Michigan Sports Commission will have two years to come up with the cash to purchase 90 acres for a proposed ball field complex if the Kent County Board of Commission (KCBC) approves the deal.

2009-11-05

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP -- Kent County and the West Michigan Sports Commission have reached a tentative agreement transferring about 90 acres near U.S. 131 and 10 Mile Road NE to the Sports Commission for development into a baseball and softball complex.

2009-10-23

By The Grand Rapids Press

For the third consecutive year, the Tae Kwon Do World Class Championships are returning to Grand Rapids

2009-09-23

Michael Zuidema | The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS -- At this point, Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland probably could make the drive to Grand Rapids with his eyes closed.

2009-09-23

WOOD TV8 Video

On Wednesday, Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland was the featured speaker at the West Michigan Sports Commission luncheon.

2009-09-22

Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland joined Bill Simonson on "The Huge Show" to discuss how the preseason is going so far and the team's upcoming trip to Sweden to open the regular season.

2009-09-16

by Howie Beardsley | The Grand Rapids Press

The decision on whether Grand Rapids' Van Andel Arena will be awarded first- and second-round men's NCAA Division I regional basketball games at the end of the 2011, 2012 or '13 seasons appears imminent.

2009-09-14

by Kelly Hill | The Grand Rapids Press

Mackenzie Woodring struck gold in Italy over the weekend -- twice.

2009-08-24

By Joe Boomgaard
MiBiz - Meeting and Conventions

Could Kent County and the greater West Michigan region become a top destination for sports events and tournaments?

2009-08-13

by Rick Wilson | The Grand Rapids Press

Backers of a proposed baseball/softball sports complex that could draw millions into West Michigan coffers seem undaunted by a draft proposal adopted Thursday asking the West Michigan Sports Commission to pay $400,000 for 80 acres next to the now-closed North Kent Landfill.

2009-08-10

By SHANNON SHELTON
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

Michigan State rocked the Palace of Auburn Hills in 2000 on its way to the NCAA basketball title, winning memorable Midwest Regional games against Syracuse and Iowa State to advance to the Final Four in Indianapolis.

2009-08-07

FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES

Western Michigan University, in conjunction with the Grand Rapids Sports Commission, is bidding to host first- and second-round or regional games of the NCAA men's basketball tournament in 2011, 2012 or 2013 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

2009-08-06

When Priority Health decided last January to drop its major sponsorship of the Grand Cycling Classic, Bob Hughes didn't panic. Nor did a founding sponsor and one of the lead organizers of the 3-year-old criterium accept defeat.

2009-08-05

by Howie Beardsley | The Grand Rapids Press

All the necessary paperwork has been turned into the NCAA offices, and all the campaigning has been completed.

2009-08-05

by Graham Couch | Kalamazoo Gazette

Once barely more than a pipe dream, Peter Secchia's idea of bringing the NCAA men's basketball tournament to Grand Rapids was unexpectedly kicked into action last spring.

2009-08-05

by Brian VanOchten | The Grand Rapids Press

A proposal by the West Michigan Sports Commission to build a sports complex on land adjacent to the North Kent Landfill at 10 Mile Road NE and U.S. 131 in Rockford has cleared its first major hurdle.

2009-07-01

by Brian VanOchten | The Grand Rapids Press

Tim Selgo believes strongly that West Michigan is the perfect place to host the inaugural State Games of Michigan sports festival next summer.

2009-06-30

by Brian VanOchten | The Grand Rapids Press

Imagine a flaming cauldron on Calder Plaza being lit as part of opening ceremonies of an Olympic-style sports festival that attracts thousands of amateur athletes and spectators from all around the state.

2009-06-30

by Michael Zuidema | The Grand Rapids Press

The American Basketball Association still conjures a bevy of 1960s and '70s history and nostalgia, from Dr. J and the Spirits of St. Louis to the classic red-white-and-blue ball.

2009-06-30

Jeannie Gregory
Editor

After the West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) brought a proposal in front of the Kent County Commission to turn 90 acres into a sports complex, questions were raised on many fronts on the impact it would have on Rockford and the surrounding areas.

2009-06-30

By Staff reports
The Holland Sentinel

A multi-sport festival for amateur athletes is coming to West Michigan next summer. The State Games of Michigan will be held June 25-27, 2010, officials from the West Michigan Sports Commission announced Tuesday.

2009-06-30

Posted By: Bob Brenzing
WZZM.com

At a press conference this morning, the West Michigan Sports Commission announced a new state-wide Olympic-type competition coming in 2010.

2009-06-30

Dustin Dwyer (2009-06-30)
GRAND RAPIDS, MI (Michigan Radio) - The Grand Rapids area will host a series of Olympic-style amateur sporting events next year.

2009-06-30

WoodTV.com

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The 2010 State Games of Michigan will be held on the west side of the state, the West Michigan Sports Commission announced Tuesday morning.

2009-06-23

WZZM 13.com
Web Editor: Peter Ross

GRAND RAPIDS - This city is hoping Chicago wins the bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. If it does, Grand Rapids expects a flood of visitors and athletes.

2009-06-22

by Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP -- Like many families with budding baseball and softball stars, the Brandts of Jenison spend weekends from April to July traveling to ball diamonds in distant cities. And, also like many families, they spend hundreds of dollars in restaurants, hotels and attractions between games.

2009-06-22

Daily Peloton

Race organizers announced that the 3rd annual Grand Cycling Classic, formerly the Priority Health Grand Cycling Classic, will take place on Sat., August 8th in Grand Rapids and that Meijer has come on board as title sponsor of this year’s event.

2009-06-22

Jeannie Gregory
Editor

The possibility of a sports complex within the Rockford area has gained momentum. The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) has deemed the 90-acre parcel located at 10 Mile Road and Wolven in Plainfield Township a prime location for the project.

2009-06-20

GEORGE SIPPLE • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • June 20, 2009

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland will be the featured speaker at the West Michigan Sports Commission Luncheon on Sept. 23.

2009-06-19

GRAND RAPIDS -- Red Wings general manager Ken Holland will be the featured speaker at the 3rd Annual West Michigan Sports Commission Luncheon on Wednesday., September 23.

2009-06-19

Posted by Wood TV 8

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Detroit Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland will be the featured speaker at the 3rd Annual West Michigan Sports Commission Luncheon on Sept. 23.

2009-06-17

Posted by Bicycle.net Editor

Race organizers announced that the 3rd annual Grand Cycling Classic, formerly the Priority Health Grand Cycling Classic, will take place on Sat., Aug. 8 in Grand Rapids and that Meijer has come on board as title sponsor of this year’s event.

2009-06-16

Posted by Dan Harland

ALGOMA TWP. MI (WZZM) - Even with first class sporting venues like Van Andel Arena and Fifth Third Ballpark, the West Michigan Sports Commission thinks there is something missing on the area's sports scene.

2009-05-25

by Tara Miller | WXMI Fox 17

Short video on the 2009 Midwest Mountain Bike Summit.

2009-05-15

by Brian VanOchten | The Grand Rapids Press

The Grand Cycling Classic is returning to the brick-lined streets of downtown Grand Rapids later this summer.

2009-04-25

by Grand Rapids Press Editorial Board

"Minor" doesn't begin to describe the impact minor-league sports teams have on West Michigan.

2009-04-23

Tommy Allen, Lifestyle Editor
Rapid Growth Media

The Iceman and Woman Cometh to Patterson Ice Center Wednesday, April 22 through Saturday, April 25.

2009-04-21

by Kelly Hill | The Grand Rapids Press

Niki Hodge is very proud of her mom.

Hodge, 14, an eighth-grader at Duncan Lake Middle School in Caledonia, knows her mom is doing something this week that none of her friends' moms can do. Athena Hodge, 45, is scheduled to compete in the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships at Patterson Ice Center.

2009-04-19

Video: Ryan Schmidt, Johnny Garcia and Jordan Schimmell are headed to the National Golden Gloves tournament in Salt Lake City.

2009-04-18

Posted By: Angela Cunningham

Kentwood, Mich. (WZZM) - Members of the West Michigan Sports Commission spent the weekend showcasing the best of West Michigan in their final push to attract the Can-Am Police and Fire Games to the area.

2009-04-15

By Howie Beardsley
The Grand Rapids Press

When longtime local businessman and sports enthusiast Marty Allen is presented with the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame's Gerald R. Ford Award on June 9 at Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, it will mark the first time the group has held an event in West Michigan.

2009-04-14

By Howie Beardsley
The Grand Rapids Press

Peter Secchia is a man of vision, a diehard fan of his alma mater Michigan State, someone with a lot of pull in business and political circles and a person who has a sincere love for West Michigan.

2009-04-08

By Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press

The NCAA has tapped Reliant Stadium in Houston to host the 2011 Division I men's basketball Final Four. If Peter Secchia has his way, the road to Texas will go through Grand Rapids.