Emerald Downs hosts inaugural 3-on-3 basketball tournament

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — February 14, 2013
The Northwest’s premier horse racing venue will host a basketball extravaganza this summer when Emerald Downs introduces EmD3-On-3. The two-day hoops event will be held on 30 courts in the north parking lot of the Auburn track.

“This is more than an event for basketball lovers,” said Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis. “It’s a great event that will bring together community, attract visitors to Auburn and bring revenue to our city. That is why the City of Auburn has signed on as a sponsor.”

The inaugural EmD3-On-3 is scheduled August 10-11—the week before the Longacres Mile—and is expected to attract players from all over Washington and possibly beyond. The event will be modeled after the extraordinarily successful Spokane Hoopfest, which began with 2,000 players in 1990 and has grown to one of that city’s biggest events with nearly 28,000 players and 3,000 volunteers in 2012.

“The Puget Sound region is one of the nation’s biggest hotbed for basketball, with tremendous interest and participation in youth, high school and collegiate programs,” said Emerald Downs President Ron Crockett. “A 3-On-3 tournament is a natural, and we have a great venue that is centrally located for easy access."

To be held on 30 side-by-side half-courts in the parking lot north of the grandstand, EmD3-On-3 is open to teams and players of all ages and abilities. For more information about team registration and sponsorship opportunities, please contact event coordinator Bob Fraser at bobf@emeralddowns.com or (253) 288-7028. 

Established in 1996, Emerald Downs is a Thoroughbred racing facility and considered the gem of racing in the Pacific Northwest. The facility sees over 400,000 visitors a year, and according to Emerald Downs President Ron Crockett the track employs 240 people during non-racing season and 460 during live racing months.

www.emd3on3.com
www.facebook.com/emd3on3

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Emerald Downs Contact: Vince Bruun
Director of Media Relations
(253) 288-7723-w
(253) 335-2657-c

City of Auburn Contact: Glenda Carino, Public Affairs & Marketing Manager, Office: (253) 876-1976; Cell (253) 876-1076 or Email: gcarino@auburnwa.gov. Visit the City of Auburn on the web at auburnwa.gov.