Media Contact:

Jared Payne, Tournament Organizer, 812.219.8386 or jtpayne@indiana.edu

Bloomington hosts 2008 Hoosier Hoedown

Ultimate Frisbee Tournament, July 11-13

Bloomington, Ind. – The Hoosier Sports Corporation, a Division of the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention and Visitors Bureau, is pleased to welcome the 2008 Hoosier Hoedown Ultimate Frisbee Tournament to Karst Farm Park, July 11-13. Now in its fifth year, the Hoosier Hoedown is becoming a popular tradition for regional Ultimate teams. This is the first year that the Hoosier Sports Corporation and the BMCCVB have been in involved in helping to promote the event.

According to tournament organizer Jared Payne, “The Hoosier Hoedown has been growing in size since the initial tournament in 2003 when we started with just eight teams. We’re expecting over 25 teams this year with both open and coed divisions. We attract teams from throughout the Midwest. Since the tournament started, we have had three teams (from Bloomington, Indianapolis and Louisville) that have not missed a single Hoosier Hoedown. The tournament should have strong numbers for years to come as the number of club teams in the Midwest continues to rise along with the popularity of competitive ultimate Frisbee.”

This year’s event is expected to draw teams from Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Tennessee. The event is open to the public and spectators are welcome. The tournament is expected to bring an estimated economic impact of over $21,000 to the Bloomington area. 

What makes it “Ultimate?”

If you find yourself wondering what makes this Frisbee tournament “Ultimate,” don’t worry, you’re not alone, though you have probably seen local teams practicing in area parks. Ultimate Frisbee is one of the fastest-growing recreational sports around, combining the non-stop movement and athletic endurance of soccer with the aerial passing skills of football. Played by two seven-member teams, the object of the game is to score by catching a pass in the opponent’s end zone. A player must stop running while in possession of the disc, but may pivot and pass to other receivers on the field. Ultimate players move quickly from offense to defense on turnovers caused by a dropped pass, an interception, a pass out of bounds, or when a player is caught holding the disc for more than ten seconds.

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