The stadium setup at the Drake Soccer complex (James W Cownie Soccer Park) is first class. The maintenance workers take tremendous pride in the quality of the surface spring through fall. And for good reason - the field plays fast and true. It rivals the best fields that we play on in our conference. The two-sided stadium is conducive to a lively and spirited atmosphere. There are few venues in the Midwest that can boast what the Drake complex offers.
Steve Burns, Head Men’s Soccer Coach, University of Michigan
Fall 2009

“The Drake University Soccer Complex (James W Cownie Soccer Park) is fantastic. The improvements to the field are first class and we look forward to playing there in the near future”.
Craig Blazer, Head Men’s Soccer Coach, DePaul University
Fall 2009
 

"Des Moines, Iowa proved to be a jewel hidden in the Midwest! From the excellent service provided by the CVB to the staff at the downtown hotels and Hy-Vee Hall, our experience during our National Tournament was excellent."
Christine Strong Simmons, Director of Operations, US Fencing
October 2009
 

"When you run the same event for 16 years and come back to the same city multiple times, it is extremely nice to see that city grow with the event and the Des Moines metro area has done that.

The AAU Junior Olympic Games attracted almost 8,500 track and field athletes to the great city of Des Moines and this is a tribute to the renovated track and field stadium at Drake University and the history of track and field in the area. Hy-Vee Hall provided a wonderful venue to have our indoor events as holding everything under one roof is important to the AAU Junior Olympics and the athlete’s experience. The athletes and coaches enjoyed their time at this tremendous building, especially the record 1,130 trampoline and tumbling athletes.

The Des Moines Area Sports Commission, under the leadership of Al Lorenzen, and the Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau, under the direction of Greg Edwards, have outdone what is expected for the 38,000 Athletes, coaches and parents that participated in the AAU Junior Olympic Games. We look forward to 2014 when the AAU Junior Olympic Games return to Des Moines."
Paul Campbell, AAU Junior Olympics Youth Sports Chairperson
Event held in July/Aug 2009

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"On behalf of USSSA I would like to thank both the City of Des Moines and Bryan Sage. Anytime you place a first time event (11:U and 13:U World Series) in a city for our organization we like to evaluate several factors to see if we would be wise to place an event in that area again. This World Series Event was one of the best first time events we have had - from director communication with Bryan and the teams to the hotel availability and city friendliness. We have received great reviews from all teams we have heard from and that says a lot about Bryan and Des Moines.

We are looking at placing events again for 2010 and would love to include Des Moines with our post season plans. In addition, we may bring another event there on top of what you hosted this year." 
Jeremy McDowell, Vice President of USSSA Fastpitch
Event held in 2009
 

"I am the manager of the Topeka Crush in 13U and wanted to tell you that we had a great time in Des Moines. The weather was beautiful and I think you guys did a great job keeping everything running smoothly. I had several parents comment after we returned home about how much the loved the city."
Mark Cayler, USSSA Fastpitch
Event held in July 2009
 

"Now that the dust has settled on our event and we have had a chance to canvas the teams, we wanted to take the time to thank you for helping to make this event happen right here in the Des Moines area.

We have had an overwhelming positive response to the event, the venues, the city, and only 1 singular umpire complaint! Wow, what a tremendous success!

We are being slated for events again in 2010 and for years to come, now that we demonstrated our ability to put on a first class event in the toughest of all years, our first. They have us slated right now for the same two age groups and another age group to give us 3 World Series events total for 2010 and we plan to again set new attendance records like we did with the 2 divisions we hosted this year! Iowa posts largest 11U and 13U events ever in it's maiden World Series voyage!

Thank you again for all you did to make this happen for all of us. I look forward to speaking with you about the future events that will be awarded to Iowa by USSSA Fastpitch."
Bryan Sage,USSSA Fastpitch
Event held in July 2009

"The people of Des Moines were very nice and helpful to us and it was truly one of the most wonderful places I have ever raced in. I cannot say enough about how great Hy-Vee and the other sponsors were in making this race an amazing production."
Jarrod Shoemaker, 2008 Olympic Team Qualifier
Hy-Vee Triathlon participant

"The city of Des Monies exceeded our expectations as the host of the 2008 Acrobatic Gymnastics National Championships!" The Des Monies Area Sports Commission, Greater Des Monies Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Iowa Events Center helped to make this event memorable and fun for everyone involved. Des Moines performed with the same level of excellence that the competitors brought to their routines. With such a decorated gymnastics legacy, it was our honor to bring our dynamic sport to Des Moines and watch as over 600 athletes from across the United States strived for their goals."
Tom Housley, USA Gymnastics

Event held in July 2008
"The Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau was a godsend when our original venue cancelled on us. I contacted them and they put out feelers for a new venue with less than four months before our meeting was going to happen. We could not have had our meeting in Des Moines without their help!"
Jolene Ketelsen, Iowa State Young American Bowling Alliance
Event held in June 2008

"In response to the Regional Tournament event in Des Moines this November, I would like to say that your involvement made the entire experience a very professional one for the players and coaches and overall event."
Jon Mannall, SAU Soccer
Event held in November 2007

"Our weekend in Des Moines was fantastic from start to finish. The complete event was organized, everyone was overly friendly and helpful, and the soccer fields were top notch. It was an honor to bring my team to a first-class event such as this."
Josh Lenarz, Trinity Christian College
Event held in November 2007

"I liked the city as it had a number of restaurants able to take care of our large group with reasonable pricing, the accommodations were located near the fields and the game site allowed the players to compete at the top of their capabilities. I liked the set-up so well that we are returning to play in Grandview's tournament in August of 2008. I look forward to the return visit."
Freddie King, Jr., Head Coach of Women's Soccer, NAIA Region Tournament
Event held in November 2007