Immediate Release: June 16, 2008                                     Contact: Karen Sanford Gall

                                                                                                                    Lindsay Rossmiller       

                                                                                                                       (406) 254-7426      

 ENTRY DEADLINES FOR ADULT BASKETBALL, ICE HOCKEY, SHOOTING, AND FIGURE SKATING NEAR

Entry deadlines for four Big Sky State Games sports are quickly approaching.  Adult Basketball, Ice Hockey, Shooting, and Figure Skating all have entry deadlines earlier than the official July 7 deadline shared by many sports.

Adult Basketball has a Friday, June 20 entry deadline.  The tournament, which features Men’s and Women’s Open and Elite Divisions as well as Men’s Masters, will take place July 19 & 20.  The Elite Division is open to any team with three or more players who currently play Division I or II basketball or have done so within the last five years. All teams are guaranteed two games in this double elimination tournament.  Both Adult and Scholastic Basketball are sponsored by NorthWestern Energy.

The entry deadline for the Ice Hockey competition, sponsored by 98.5 the Wolf, is Friday, June 27.   The Ice Hockey tournament will be held at Centennial Ice Arena in Billings on July 18-20 and features play for both youth and adults.  Teams will be guaranteed three games.  Goalies may enter with a team or individually to play with teams without goalies and will be given separate goalie medals.

Also taking the ice at Centennial Ice Arena on July 19 is the Figure Skating competition.  Figure skaters can compete in Freestyle, Solo Dance, Short Program, Compulsories, Artistic, Showcase, and Footwork.  The entry deadline for Figure Skating is Wednesday, July 2.  Figure Skating is sponsored by Marina Cay Resort and Conference Center and the Downtown Billings Association.

Shooting entries are due by Tuesday, July 1 for Black Powder, Bull’s Eye, and Muzzle Loading Events.  All other Shooting events have a July 7 deadline.  The Shooting competition will take place July 19 & 20 at the Billings Rod and Gun Club and the Billings Trap Club.  Shooting is sponsored by Scheels.

Online registration is available at http://www.bigskygames.org.   Those that register online before June 27 will be entered to win special prizes.  For more information call (406) 254-7426, or refer to the website at http://www.bigskygames.org.   Entry booklets are also currently available at Wendy’s, First Interstate Bank, most sporting goods stores and newspaper offices.  Major Sponsors of the Big Sky State Games are First Interstate Bank, Kampgrounds of America and Bresnan Communications. Wendy’s sponsors the Opening Ceremonies.

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