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The 2008 Miller Zell U.S. Squash Championships

Atlanta, Georgia, January 23, 2008 -– U.S. Squash announced today that Invesco, The Coca-Cola Company, and Raymond James Financial will present The 2008 Miller Zell U.S. Squash Championships, March 13th-16th, in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Miller Zell Championships will include the 2008 U.S. Open Age Group Divisions, the $30,000 S.L. Green U.S. Men’s Championship, the $10,000 U.S. Women’s Championship, and a $5,000 National Open division.

With over 300 players expected to participate from around the world, the Miller Zell Championships is expected to be the largest squash tournament of the 2007-08 season. The tournament is being held in Atlanta for the first time, at the Midtown Athletic Club at Windy Hill. Also for the first time, the Miller Zell Nationals will feature stadium viewing of both championship play and age division finals on a four-wall glass court.

“We are very pleased to host the centennial playing of our national championships together with this great age-group open competition,” said Bill Kujawa, Executive Vice President of Miller Zell. “With a unique five-wall glass court on hand and participants from the U.S., Canada, Mexico and other countries, this will be a true spectacle for players and non-players alike.”

US Squash CEO Kevin Klipstein added, “We are very enthused by the great support shown for the Miller Zell Championships by Atlanta’s local squash and business communities. US Squash looks forward to the Miller Zell as well as future National Championships in the region”.

The Miller Zell Championships will feature:
The centennial playing of the S.L. Green U.S. Men’s Championship with a record $30,000 in prize money. This 100th anniversary of the U.S. national championship dates from 1908 in Philadelphia.

Defending Champion Julian Illingworth pursuing his fourth consecutive S.L. Green Men’s National Championship. Illingworth is currently 43rd in the professional squash Association (PSA) world rankings, and is the youngest player ever to win three U.S. Men’s national titles.

Natalie Grainger seeking her second U.S. title in the $10,000 Women’s Championship draw. Natalie is currently 4th in the Women’s International Squash Players Association (WISPA) world rankings. She reached the World No. 1 ranking in June 2003. She was runner-up at the World Open in 2002, and at the British Open in 2004. She was born in England and grew up in South Africa, but became a U.S.
citizen in 2007.

A $5,000 National Open draw provides another venue for the best teaching pros in the U.S. to come and display their talents.

The tournament will also feature:

A gathering Friday, March 14 in the spectacular 16,400 square-foot ballroom of the Georgia Aquarium with two viewing windows of the aquarium’s whale sharks and beluga whales.

A formal dinner Saturday evening at the Piedmont Driving Club. With more than 300 in attendance, this is expected to be the biggest squash gathering since the 2004 Squash Centennial Ball in New York .

A trade show environment that features the latest in squash products, U.S. Squash items, and sponsors displays.

The Midtown Athletic Club is offering open admission during the weekend to view tournament play. Limited open seating is available.

About Miller Zell:
Miller Zell is a consultant and partner to retail companies, providing professional marketing and brand development services, including design, production, and implementation of retail concepts, as well as in-store digital media.

About Invesco:
Invesco is a leading independent global investment management company headquartered in Atlanta, dedicated to helping people worldwide build their financial security. By delivering the combined power of its distinctive worldwide investment management capabilities including AIM, Atlantic Trust, Invesco, Perpetual, Powershares, Trimark, and WL Ross, Invesco provides a comprehensive array of enduring investment solutions for retail, institutional and high net worth clients around the world.

About The Coca-Cola Company:
The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world’s most valuable brand, the Company markets four of the world’s top five nonalcoholic sparkling beverage brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite, and a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light beverages, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees, energy and sports drinks. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate exceeding 1.4 billion servings each day. For more information about The Coca-Cola Company, please visit their website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

About Raymond James:
Raymond James Financial (NYSE-RJF) is a Florida-based diversified holding company providing financial services to individuals, corporations and municipalities through its subsidiary companies. Its three principal wholly owned broker/dealers have more than 4,750 financial advisors serving approximately 1.6 million accounts in 2,200 locations throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. In addition, total client assets are currently near $221 billion, of which approximately $38 billion are managed by the firm’s asset management subsidiaries. For more information about Raymond James, visit their website at www.raymondjames.com

Host Hotel and Club:
The official tournament hotel is the Hyatt Regency Suites Atlanta. The host club for the tournament is the Midtown Club at Windy Hill, a division of TCA Holdings.

About US Squash:
US Squash is the national governing body and membership organization for the sport of squash in the United States and is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee. US Squash owns and licenses tournaments including the U.S. Open, the North American Open, and owns and manages all U.S. Squash Championships. US Squash also selects and supports the U.S. Teams that compete internationally, maintains the official ratings and rankings system for the U.S. and invests in junior and adult development programs to grow participation in the sport at every level.

Posted on January 23, 2008
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