SPIRE will be opening its courts for its first college conference handball tournament, featuring teams representing eight colleges from the East Coast and the Midwest.

The tournament will feature the men’s teams competing in the Trailblazer Conference Championship as well as women’s teams playing in the Ohio Women’s Collegiate Invitational, the final collegiate event before the 2022 USA Team Handball College & Youth National Championships in Chapel Hill, NC.

The Trailblazer Conference was created to provide collegiate handball teams with more competitive opportunities throughout the season. The goal of the Trailblazer initiative is to create even more collegiate handball leagues throughout the county in the future by helping pockets of colleges throughout the United States organize their regional leagues.

A key component of USA Team Handball is introducing handball in new communities and spreading awareness of the sport. Martin Branick, Event & Membership Development Coordinator of the organization, explains, “These tournaments will serve as another opportunity for our colleges to get out and compete against some of the best teams in the nation.” He goes on to explain, “A key component of USA Team Handball events is introducing handball in new communities and spreading awareness of the sport.” 

Martin is excited for the opportunity to partner with SPIRE for this inaugural handball tournament. “SPIRE was chosen because of its central location for the teams participating, the welcoming and friendly service and flexibility from the SPIRE staff, especially SPIRE’s Director of Community Relations, Keith Webb, as well as the high level of amenities and overall quality of the facility. With this event, we are trying to set the standard for collegiate handball events in the U.S., and SPIRE was a logical option. We are incredibly excited to host the inaugural Trailblazer Conference Championship at SPIRE.”

The following teams will be participating:

Trailblazer Conference Championship

• The Ohio State University (2 teams)
• University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Cincinnati

Ohio Women’s Collegiate Invitational

• United States Military Academy West Point (2 teams)
• University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
• The Ohio State University 

By hosting this event, SPIRE continues to fulfill its mission to be the premier destination where Olympic athletes and programs go to train and compete.

The USA Team Handball Trailblazer Collegiate Conference Tournament will be held on March 26th, 2022 from 10 AM to 8 PM, and March 27 2022 from 8 AM until 2 PM.

For more information, including schedule updates and match results, please visit: https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Team-Handball/Events/2022/March/26/Trailblazer-Collegiate-Conference-Tournament