POWAY, Calif. (September 13, 2000) --- Beach Volleyball America (BVA), the premier professional beach volleyball organization in the United States, announced today the addition of Mike Kantor as its Marketing Services Director. Kantor, formerly with the Amateur Athletic Foundation in Los Angeles, will be primarily responsible for the fulfillment of BVA sponsorship programs, in addition to assisting with the sales and marketing of the BVA Tour.

Kantor previously served as the Program Director of the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles' (AAFLA) "Learn and Play" and Beach Volleyball programs, serving over 10,000 youth participants in the inner-city Los Angeles area. He was an Event Manager for MIKASA SPORTS, where he was instrumental in the company's event marketing of the FIVB World Tour, U.S. Olympic Cup and Olympic Challenge Series involvement in beach volleyball.

A graduate of the University of Hawaii, Kantor was a letter winner at the University in men's volleyball. He brings experience in the areas of event operations, marketing and media relations to the BVA's management team.

"I am honored to be the latest addition to the BVA's management team," said Kantor. "After the recent success of the inaugural season, I look forward to having the opportunity to add to the BVA Tour's continued prosperity in the future."

"Mike's passion for beach volleyball and his great background in event marketing make him the perfect person to fill this role at Beach Volleyball America," said Charlie Jackson, CEO and owner of the BVA. "Our sponsors are going to really enjoy working with him."

The inaugural 2000 BVA Tour included 7 tournaments offering over $500,000 in prize money. All of the top United States teams participated on the BVA Tour, including the current 2000 U.S. Olympic teams of Annett Davis (Tarzana, Calif.)/Jennifer Johnson Jordan (Tarzana, Calif.) and Misty May (Costa Mesa, Calif.)/Holly McPeak (Manhattan Beach, Calif.). Other top-ranked United States teams on the BVA Tour include former Olympians Liz Masakayan (San Diego, Calif.)/Elaine Youngs (Encinitas, Calif.) and 2000 U.S. Olympic Team alternates, Lisa Arce/Barbara Fontana.

For further information on the BVA Tour or Mike Kantor please contact Lori Okimura at (858) 486-8659, ext. 322 or via email at [email protected]. Detailed information on the BVA Tour is also available online at bvatour.com or www.volleycentral.com.