ADA Celebrates its 25th Anniversary in Darts!

ADA Celebrates its 25^th Anniversary in Darts!
By Sarah Coyne, ADA Member Services

2016 marked the 25^th anniversary of the American Darters Association National Championship.  It’s hard to believe for the past 25 years, darters all over the world have been playing in weekly leagues in their hometown, collecting necessary games to complete in the National Championship that is held every summer in various locations across the USA.  This year, the National Championship was held in Mesquite, Texas.  As their state motto claims:  “Everything is bigger in Texas” and our championship hall proved that.  The event was held at the Mesquite Convention Center allowing the soft and steel tip darts space to spread out and enjoy the game of darts.

It is a competition but this event is not just for the experienced player.  It is an event that is open to the public.  Spectators welcome, family and friends are invited and encouraged to attend.  This year, the youth had an opportunity to pair up with an ADA member in the Adult Youth doubles format and also could show off their skills competing in the singles youth formats throughout the weekend.  ADA member Shannon Norman of Mississippi added to the prize fund for each youth event. The attending youths also took home awards & souvenirs.

Opening ceremonies included the Sheppard Air Force Color Guard presented colors while musician Butch Gilliam sang and played his guitar performing the national anthem on Thursday morning.  Everything is bigger in Texas – it was really cool to have a musician sing and perform with a guitar this year!  ADA 2016 Women & Men who received Top Seed in their dart category were presented with a medal and $100 bill during opening ceremony. Pro Rings were also presented to the 2015 National Championship Pro Singles Women & Men winners.

Wanting to celebrate our 25^th anniversary with other dart enthusiast, the ADA office sent out invitations to a variety of dart companies, manufactures, dart clubs and establishments that support the sport, inviting them to send individuals and/or teams to our event, encouraging the expansion of the sport.  This created the newest event: The All Star Event Challenge.  The idea behind this concept was to bring together any and all interested soft and steel tip players throughout the USA to help raise the bar of our sport by stepping up to the line and playing together at an event under one roof that did not require ADA game qualifications.  To show competition with other teams in the USA, whose team could win over all other teams. We would like to thank all the companies that sent/sponsored teams to this first event: Texan Distributing, Defiance, ADA Area 221, 9 Dart Out, Extreme, ADA Area 705 and ADA Area 750.  Congratulations to 9 Dart Out for winning on the Steel Tip Side and to Defiance Darts on the Soft tip side.

 

It wouldn’t be Mesquite without mentioning the world famous rodeo that was conveniently located next door to the championship hall.  ADA members that fell into the Top Seed, Professional darters and/or area manager category received invitation to attend the ADA Lounge located in the 8 Seconds Club, to have lunch, drinks, and warm-up for the Singles event on Friday afternoon.  If you did not earn an invitation to this year’s event, strive to be part of that experience at the next event!  Catered by Eddie Dean & Company, I heard this year’s buffet brisket was to-die for!  The 8 Second Club is part of the Mesquite rodeo hall.

Rodeos in Mesquite are held on Saturdays throughout the year and July 29^th was proudly designated as ADA Rodeo Night.  ADA members had the opportunity to experience the Mesquite Arena’s live Rodeo!  We would like to thank Brother Van and the entire Mesquite Arena staff for offering such an incredible opportunity for our members!  For those that did not attend ADA Rodeo Night, had other kind of fun in the championship hall!  Saturday night included various entertaining activities that included but not limited to the blind draw, karaoke, Vegas Connect card tables, cake and dancing!  Thanks to DJ and ADA Member Chris Robertson for the music and karaoke!  Local ADA Dallas member, Keiffer Williams brought a cake celebrating ADA 25^th anniversary.  Thank you Keiffer for such a thoughtful opportunity to share with our members! Also congratulations on 1st Place in the Men’s Neutralizer Singles Soft Tip event!

Since many players travel to the National Championship each year, the farthest being from Australia, they rely on the event’s dart shop for extra supplies.  Thanks to 9 Dart Out for being the official dart shop of the 2016 National Championship.  The extended hours, abundance of items to choose from and availability for members was greatly appreciated.

Our National Championship events could not be successful without the partnerships and working relationships of our sponsors.  This year we would like to recognize and thank the following sponsors:  Ben E. Keith / Budweiser, Radikal USA, Unicorn Darts, Dinn Bros., USA Darts Production, 9 Dart Out / Dynasty Darts, Slick Graphics, Creative Cup, Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton, Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, Sheppard AFB Honor Guard, Butch Gilliam, Chuck Solinski, Wes VanAlstyne, Championship Darts Corporation, J&N Photography, The Logo Mat, Texan Distributing, The Mesquite Championship Rodeo, The 8 Sec Club, Eddie Dean Catering, Super Shuttle, GLD Products, Vegas Connect, Lone Star Billiards & Darts, Dart World, Dart Brokers and ALL of the ADA Representative.

 

 

 

When the American Darters Association, Inc.  was formed, Glenn & Gloria Remick had a vision of what darts could be in the United States.  Throughout the years, the ADA has grown, improved with change and technology yet some of their original ideas have stayed the same; bringing together friends and family through the sport of darts, having fun and making a difference.  We look forward to continuing their dream for the next 25 years! Thank you to everyone who has participated in the past, current and future ADA events.  Mark your calendars:  26^th annual ADA National Championship will be in St. Louis, Missouri July 26^th – 30^th 2017.  Hope to see you there!

Pictures of this grand celebration may be found at https://www.adadarters.com/we-love-our-members/