Sport Oregon Voices

Pickleball is America's fastest-growing sport, with a passionate fanbase and new facilities welcoming the game's next generation. The People's Courts just opened last month in NE Portland with 14 pickle courts, bocce ball, ping pong, corn hole, and more in the 48,000 square-foot rec center and social space. RECS is hosting the 2023 Oregon Cup on September 30, featuring 32 of the best men's pickleball players in the state battling it out under one roof. Today, join Pickleball Hall of Famer Steve Paranto, The People's Courts co-founder Dave Sacks, and RECS founder Kevin Richards to talk all about the future of the sport in the Pacific Northwest.

The Hillsboro Hops are wrapping up their 10th anniversary season with the first female manager in High-A baseball history and a new ballpark on the way in 2025. The 2014, 2015 and 2019 Northwest League Champions are in their 21st season as Arizona Diamondbacks' affiliates. Since moving to Hillsboro from Yakima, Washington in 2013, more than 40 former Hops have made their MLB debuts. Today, join Hops Group Sales Manager and radio voice Seth Hoiland, Manager Ronnie Gajownik, and President and GM KL Wombacher to talk all about the Hoppiest Place on Earth.

The FIFA Women's World Cup will play out over the next month in Australia and New Zealand, with the best players from 32 nations competing on the world's biggest stage. The US is going for an unprecedented three-peat after winning in 2015 and 2019. Today, join former US Women's National Team players Michelle French, Shannon Boxx, and Tina Frimpong Ellertson to talk all about the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup.

The Eight Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo is bringing the sport back to the Portland Expo Center this Saturday, June 17th. This invitational rodeo supports Black western athletes and educates people on the cultural heritage of Black cowboys and cowgirls. Today, join Charles Sudduth, Eight Seconds Founder Ivan McClellan, and Councilor Vince Jones-Dixon of the City of Gresham to talk all about this inclusive, educational, and entertaining event featuring some of the country's top competitors in a fresh rodeo platform.

Portland Track is a non-profit organization that creates, organizes, and supports events and programs that grow the sport of track and field and running in Portland. The upcoming Portland Track Festival is one of the premier track meets in the United States, bringing the best middle-distance runners in the country to our home track. Today, join Sport Oregon Director of Brand Cory Hansen, Portland Track President Jeff Merrill, and Portland Track Vice President Michael Bergmann to talk all about Portland Track and the Portland Track Festival coming to Mt. Hood Community College on June 3rd and 4th.

The SHE FLIES Community Festival is coming to Overlook Park in North Portland on Sunday, May 21st. Designed for the whole family, the festival will feature live fitness activities, interactive exhibits, and the awarding of multiple grants to deserving organizations already advancing the SHE FLIES mission. Today, join Sport Oregon Director of Foundation Relations Julia Mayfield, Rose City Rollers Executive Director Kim Stegeman, and PNC Corporate Banking Development Program Manager Hannah Hallos to preview the upcoming festival.

The Portland Timbers and Thorns are kicking off the much-anticipated 2023 campaign at Providence Park. Today, PTFC content host and producer Jake Zivin sits down with CEO Heather Davis, Timbers GM Ned Grabavoy, and Thorns GM and President Karina LeBlanc to preview the upcoming season. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of Sport Oregon members at Wieden + Kennedy as part of a Sport Oregon Chalk Talk.

The Eugene Marathon takes place each spring on the last Sunday of April. The marathon and half marathon courses traverse through the communities of Eugene and Springfield on the same roads that the world's best runners have competed on for over 50 years — most recently at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 in July. Runners can fly with the ducks by Autzen Stadium, wind along the Willamette River, and experience the magic of Hayward Field as they cross the finish line in the Theater for Track. Join Sport Oregon COO Maika Janat-Vennemann and Eugene Marathon Directors Becky Radliff and Ian Dobson to preview the Pacific Northwest's largest marathon.

Special Olympics Oregon uses sports training and competition to grow acceptance and inclusion of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Fresh off its 50th Anniversary in 2022, Special Olympics Oregon gives athletes opportunities to demonstrate courage, experience joy, and share in the gifts of sport. Join Special Olympics Oregon COO Mark Hanken, CEO Britt Oase, and athlete Lucy Balthazaar to discuss all of the exciting events and competitions coming up in 2023.

Beaver Football wrapped up a resurgent regular season Thanksgiving Weekend with a thrilling comeback victory over Oregon. Now, it's bowl week and Oregon State is looking to win its 10th game for just the third time in school history. The Beavs checked in at No. 14 in the final College Football Playoff Rankings and are ready to take on a formidable Florida team Saturday. Join Oregon State Head Football Coach Jonathan Smith, Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Barnes, and broadcaster Josh Worden to preview the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl.

PKI and Phil Knight Legacy are prestigious college basketball tournaments featuring the greatest collection of teams ever assembled. To celebrate Nike Co-Founder Phil Knight's 85th birthday, games are played all Thanksgiving Weekend at the Moda Center, Chiles Center, and Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Join University of Portland AD Scott Leykam, U.P. Head Men's Basketball Coach Shantay Legans, and Radio Voice of the Pilots Jason Swygard to preview the Feast Week festivities in Portland.

SHE FLIES is the flagship initiative of the Sport Oregon Foundation, uplifting girls and women through sport. Today, join Sport Oregon COO Maika Janat-Vennemann, Timbers and Thorns VP of Community and Social Impact Dr. Robin Beavers, and Mendi CEO and Co-Founder Rachael Rapinoe to discuss how SHE FLIES is taking flight, including the upcoming Sport Oregon Holiday Bash benefiting SHE FLIES.

The Portland Trail Blazers tip-off the 2022-23 season in a couple weeks with a new-look squad. Today, TV Analyst Lamar Hurd sits down with President Dewayne Hankins, GM Joe Cronin, and Head Coach Chauncey Billups to discuss their roles and the future of Rip City. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience of Sport Oregon members at Wieden + Kennedy as our first-ever Sport Oregon Chalk Talk.

The Oregon State of Sport Report is a new economic study that highlights Oregon's competitive advantage and the economic power that the Athletic, Outdoor, Team and Recreation Ecosystem generates for the state. You can check out the full report at OregonStateofSport.com. Today, we're joined by Sport Oregon CEO Jim Etzel, Oregon Business & Industry President & CEO Angela Wilhelms, and Greater Portland Inc. President & CEO Monique Claiborne.

The Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon is a Labor Day tradition in the Willamette Valley featuring stunning scenery, small town charm, and world-class wine. Owned and operated by Sport Oregon, the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon is gearing up for its first in-person race since 2019. And its first-ever race in the city of Independence. Today, we're joined by Sport Oregon COO Maika Janat-Vennemann, Eola Hills Winery Assistant GM Katie Bass, and the Mayor of Independence John McArdle.

The World Athletics Championships Oregon22 is an unmissable global experience taking place in the United States for the very first time. The best track and field athletes in the world are descending on Oregon next week for a celebration of diversity, human potential, and athletic achievement. This extraordinary showcase is taking center stage in the heart and home of the sport of track and field: Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. Today, we're joined by three staff members from World Athletics Championships Oregon22: Sasha Spencer-Atwood, Alexandra Rudd, and AJ Gaulton.