Started as a barbeque 46 years ago
The Annual MotherLode Volleyball Classic is one of the oldest, continuously run beach volleyball Tournaments in the Country. Entering into its 46th year of being an “end-of-the-season” celebration of the sport, the Labor Day Weekend Event was, originally sponsored by The MotherLode Restaurant, an infamous Italian restaurant with a colored history worthy of a novel.
It all started with a few friends as a Labor Day barbecue, with volleyball thrown in for good measure – pure and simple. However, there is no “pure and simple” in Aspen, Colorado; and, as such, soon the Tourney grew to epic proportions and drew amateur/recreational and professional beach volleyball players from all over the United States and Canada. They came for the world class bars and restaurants, for the outrageous parties and for the experience of playing volleyball in one of the most beautiful and exciting ski/summer Resorts in North America.
The Problem
All businesses go through good and bad years. And, a destination volleyball Tournament is a business, with expenses, income and profit and loss. Although The ‘Lode pretty well experienced 43 years of sustainable viability, the last few years saw some of the same problems that the last incarnation of the AVP Pro Beach Tour experienced –difficulties in obtaining Sponsors and rising costs to continue putting on a popular Tourney without marquee Sponsors. The longtime Producer/Organizer of The MotherLode, Leon Fell, was at his wits end, trying to make the entire ends meet. As a matter of fact, he was close to calling it quits; saying that it was a good “run”; but, no more.
It was evident that the Event, and the Producer, needed help; so, a group of us who love The ‘Lode and who have been coming to the Tourney year-after-year got together to see what we could do to not only keep the Tournament going; but, also, to see it to its 50th Anniversary and beyond.
It takes a team
Calling ourselves ‘Fresh Tracks’, we decided to join with Leon as an “advisory group” to better help with monetizing the Event and to help promote beach volleyball through one of the Country’s iconic Tournaments. We will be joining forces to secure new Sponsorships and more prizes for the Finishers of each division from local businesses in the Aspen area.
New Management
Sponsors come and go; but, The MotherLode has survived many incarnations of “pro beach volleyball”; not necessarily from just the “pros” in the Men’s and Women’s Open divisions; but, rather, more importantly, from the hundreds of amateur/recreational players who participate in The ‘Lode from all over the United States – especially from the “heartland” states of grassroots volleyball — the Midwest.
Motherlode Up
Aspen is a great fit for a season ending Tournament; playing against good competitors, in all divisions; meeting new volleyball friends and re-uniting with old ones. Your part is simple: SHOW UP and support one of grassroots volleyball’s oldest Events. Register soon, make your lodging reservations and bring your family and friends. We believe in The ‘Lode. We hope that you do, too.
