ANNOUNCING THE 8th ANNUAL $11,000 BART O’HEARN MEMORIAL FOOSBALL TOURNAMENT - Austin Area Tournament Draws Top Table Soccer Players from Around the World

Austin, Texas – Enthusiasts and top athletes from around the world are already preparing to compete in an unusual, unique sports competition: the 8th Annual $11,000 Bart O’Hearn Memorial Foosball Tournament. To be held October 5-7 at Buffalo Billiards along the world famous 6th Street entertainment district in Austin, TX, this event is expected to draw over 150 table soccer (a.k.a. "foosball") enthusiasts, including members of the U.S. National Team.

Now recognized as an International Table Soccer Federation (ITSF) Pro Tour Series tournament, the annual Austin event has even been elevated to international tour status. And, as the final qualifier in a 60 tournament, five continent worldwide tour, the “Bart O” is the last chance to earn ranking points towards the ITSF World Championship Finals in Italy later this month.

This means the competition is likely to be intense, drawing match ups between top players such as local favorites Tracy McMillin and David Radack against the likes of U.S. World Cup Team member Robert Mares of Denver, CO and past World Champion Tommy Adkisson of Oklahoma City, OK. Women’s competition is also likely to include some of the best in the world, including multi-time National and World Champion Gena Murray of Ft. Worth, TX and top contender Kiesha Rue of Lafayette, LA.

The tournament is organized by the family and friends of the late foosball enthusiast Bart O’Hearn, in his remembrance. The competition is sanctioned by both the United States Table Soccer Federation and the ITSF, and the tournament area is open all spectators and press. Opening events begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 5th, with most finals occurring on Sunday the 7th. Competition will include categories for men and women from beginner to Master. Players can register for events on site, and all competition will be held on Brunswick’s Tornado Table Soccer™ tables. Sponsors of the event include Austin Foam Plastics, Buffalo Billiards, Hull Supply Company, Custom Car Crafters, Access Controls of Austin, Aquarius Pools. Host hotel for the tournament is the nearby Capitol La Quinta, 300 E. 11th St., Austin; Tel: 512-476-1166.

Other ITSF 2007 World Tour events have taken place in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, United States, the UK and more, with competitors from over 50 countries participating. In fact, this year’s tour was the largest worldwide table soccer pro tour ever, with even more to come for 2008!!

For additional details about the event and the sport of table soccer, please see the following websites:

www.vifa.com/pdf/Bart%20O'%202007%20Flyer.pdf - Tournament Flier & Information
www.table-soccer.org - ITSF Website/International Rankings
www.ustsf.org - Pro Tour & U.S. Nat’l Team sponsorship opportunities
www.foosball.com - General Information about the Sport of Table Soccer

For more information, photos, or for an electronic version of this release, please contact:
Joe Koonce, Tournament Director, Tel: 1-512-784-5134; Email: kooncej@suddenlink.net
Bill & Nancy Henderson; Email: billandnancyhenderson@yahoo.com
Larry Davis, Executive Director, USTSF, Tel: 1-563-580-9485; Email: larry.davis@ustsf.foosball.com

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