DENVER -
The Colorado Crossroads Qualifier and Crossroads Select matches have grown almost beyond belief over the past decade or so.
From 168 team 14 years ago to 957 teams this year, these games which help determine which teams go to the junior Olympics, have grown by leaps and bound.
The games last about 10 days and bring teams in from all over the West. With them they bring families and dollars. In fact, the Convention Bureau estimates the games bring in some 14-million dollars to the metro area. From hotels to restaurants to retail, everyone gets in on the dollars these folks are bringing to town.
"This year we thought the economy would hurt attendance so we told the Colorado Convention Center we wouldn't need very much space. "But when the applications came in, we quickly had to ask for the space back. Right now we have three of the major halls up and running, our goal is to have all six halls fully involved one of these years," said Crossroads Director, Kay Rogness.
For families, traveling teams are great for the kids, but costly at the same time.
"We had to debate how we would get to Denver from Chandler, Arizona," said Carol Bougman. "We wanted to drive, but we didn't want to spend so much time in the car, so we ended up flying and we are staying with relatives here in Denver."
The games will continue this week, with the bigger girls coming in late in the week for their tourney next weekend. If you see the kids wearing volleyball gear on the streets, give them an old fashioned Mile Hi Salute as you welcome them to town.
From 168 team 14 years ago to 957 teams this year, these games which help determine which teams go to the junior Olympics, have grown by leaps and bound.
The games last about 10 days and bring teams in from all over the West. With them they bring families and dollars. In fact, the Convention Bureau estimates the games bring in some 14-million dollars to the metro area. From hotels to restaurants to retail, everyone gets in on the dollars these folks are bringing to town.
"This year we thought the economy would hurt attendance so we told the Colorado Convention Center we wouldn't need very much space. "But when the applications came in, we quickly had to ask for the space back. Right now we have three of the major halls up and running, our goal is to have all six halls fully involved one of these years," said Crossroads Director, Kay Rogness.
For families, traveling teams are great for the kids, but costly at the same time.
"We had to debate how we would get to Denver from Chandler, Arizona," said Carol Bougman. "We wanted to drive, but we didn't want to spend so much time in the car, so we ended up flying and we are staying with relatives here in Denver."
The games will continue this week, with the bigger girls coming in late in the week for their tourney next weekend. If you see the kids wearing volleyball gear on the streets, give them an old fashioned Mile Hi Salute as you welcome them to town.
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