Katie Hooker Wins Golden Puck Contest

Thanks to our loyal fans on Facebook, our West Coast Authentic’s Golden Puck contest was a huge success!

The contest that began on March 14, 2012 ran for 8 weeks and a grand prize winner emerged on May 9th.  Katie Hooker of Bossier City, Louisiana found all eight golden pucks on our website with the help of our weekly video clues. Her name was drawn as the winner out of 81 other contestants that had also found all eight pucks.

As the grand prize winner, Katie had the choice of an autographed Wayne Gretzky jersey or an autographed Georges St-Pierre framed piece. She must be a big MMA fan because she chose “Rush” over the “Great One”!

David Kolochuk Wins Instant Prize

On May 2, 2012 we hid the eighth and final Golden Puck and it was a race for all contestants to find it quickly. After watching the video clue, David Kolochuck found the last puck within 6 minutes and was declared the winner.

David had a prize choice of a framed & autographed 8×10 photo of Anderson Silva or Jerome Iginla. He chose Iginla to add to his man-cave collection.

Game Used and Fight Worn Sports Memorabilia

“Every man-cave should have at least one piece of memorabilia that has been used by an athlete at an actual sporting event.” - Jason Bobbitt

Imagine having your buddies over to watch a UFC event and one of them points out a pair of autographed UFC gloves nicely framed on your wall. How cool it would it be to casually mention that those gloves were worn by Lyoto Machida at UFC 129 and that those gloves were the last gloves ever to land a punch on Randy Couture at a UFC event. Or what about an autographed hockey stick used by Hall of Famer, Mario Lemieux in the 1996 NHL playoffs, or an autographed shoe worn by Kobe Bryant in his final regular season NBA game in 2009?

Having a piece of actual sports history on your wall will give you a surreal feeling every time you walk by it. Not only is it a conversation piece, but it tells its own story. A hockey jersey for example, worn by an NHL enforcer may have a slight tear from a fight, blood stains from another player, sweat and Gatorade stains or perhaps a black puck mark from blocking a 100 MPH slap shot.

Usually the cost for piece of game used and fight worn memorabilia is much more than regular memorabilia because it is difficult to obtain and is essentially a “one-of-a-kind” item. Having the athlete autograph the used item is yet another challenge. The best autographs include a few words from the athlete such as the name of the event and the date, for example a hockey puck may have something like “Game 7 overtime goal” or a fight worn glove may read “2nd round KO – UFC 66″ followed by their autograph.

If you look on the internet for game/fight used memorabilia items you will find thousands of items but how do you know it was actually used in a game or fight? And how do you know it was used by a particular athlete? The best way is to look at the seller and research their relationship with the athlete. Have they had public or private signings with the athlete in the past?

If you are buying any autographed memorabilia online it’s critical that you check out the seller’s website to screen out possible frauds. An obvious indication that a website is questionable is that it doesn’t have any contact information other than an email address or a contact form.

Legitimate websites will display on their Contact Page, an actual physical address and phone number. Look out for websites that only have a PO box and do not display a physical address.

Reputable companies will usually post an About Us page profiling the company and the owner as well as a Privacy Policy page. It is also important to ensure that the website’s ecommerce shopping store is secure and maintains a valid security certificate.

View more autographed Game Used & Fight Worn Memorabilia  >>

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Heavyweight contender Frank Mir comments on reports of Alistair Overeem’s failed drug test

Las Vegas, Nev. – With the news today that Alistair Overeem failed his “A” sample pre-fight drug test for UFC 146, heavyweight contender Frank Mir has commented on the rumors swirling regarding the UFC’s next steps regarding UFC 146.

“I would be excited if given the opportunity to compete for the UFC’s heavyweight title at UFC 146 if the reports released earlier today regarding Alistair Overeem failing his ‘A’ sample drug test are true.”

“I have been fortunate to be able to fight in the UFC for more than a decade, and it is a dream of mine to become the first three-time heavyweight champion in the UFC. Being able to fight Junior Dos Santos would put me one step closer to that dream,” Mir added.

Mir’s next fight is scheduled for May 26 at UFC 146 against former heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez.

Mir is 16-5 in his MMA career, with 14 of those wins coming in the UFC.  Known for his ability to submit his opponents, power and athletic ability, Mir has only had three fights decided by a decision, all of which he won.

He has won four of his last five fights and seven of his last nine.  In his last fight on December 10, he submitted Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in the first round.

The 32 year-old Las Vegas native trains in his hometown at Xtreme Couture.  He began training in martial arts under his father, Frank, Sr.. who was a police officer and Kenpo Karate master.  He currently holds black belts in both Kenpo Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

While attending Bonanza High School in Las Vegas, Mir won a state wrestling title as a senior, starred in football and still holds regional track and field records in discus.

Fans can follow Mir through his web site at www.FrankMir.com or through his Twitter handle @TheFrankMir.

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Penticton Vees Then and Now

It was 57 years ago on March 6th that the Penticton Vees won the world Championship against the Russians. History has repeated itself with another incredible achievement by the Vees this year on the same day, March 6th. The Penticton Vees have now won 41 games in a row breaking records set by two Ontario teams more than 20 years ago. This recent win has put the team at 53 wins for the season, also a new record in the BCHL.

The news reached the highest level of the Government on Wednesday as Dan Albas MP, Okanagan-Coquihalla acknowledged the Vee’s great achievement to enthusiastic Parliament members at the House of Commons.

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada took time from his busy schedule to recognize the Vees and share his support.
The Vees now hit the road to finish off the regular season in Prince George followed by playoffs first round starting March 16.

As a strong supporter of the Penticton Vees, Jason Bobbitt of the West Coast Authentic is very proud to be a sponsor for such an incredible organization. We will continue to offer our full support through the playoffs and wish the team all the best! Go Vees Go!

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UFC star Alan Belcher to team up with March of Dimes in Gulf Coast for the March for Babies

Gulfport, Miss. – Alan Belcher, a father of three, who is nationally known as one of the top Mixed Martial Artists, knows how important the March of Dimes mission is. Alan, along with his staff at Alan Belcher MMA Club, have teamed up to fight for healthy babies!

March for Babies, the March of Dimes largest fundraiser, helps fund lifesaving research and educational programs aimed at helping moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies and healthy babies. Last year, the Harrison County event raised more than $136,000– this year, community teams hope to help bring in even more by setting a goal of raising $150,000

“March for Babies gives us a unique opportunity to help the community we love and to support the important work the March of Dimes. Monies raised will continue to support important programs like the Mom and Baby Mobile Unit, that offers prenatal care to those in need” said Belcher.

Harrison County residents can sign up today at marchforbabies.org and start a team with co-workers, family or friends. Last year, more than 500 people attended the event, which will be held this year on April 28th at The Promenade Shopping Center in D’Iberville.

“We’re so excited to have Alan and his staff at Alan Belcher MMA Club to help with March for Babies,” said Jennifer Parker the Division Director for March of Dimes. “Their passion for the cause and commitment to helping our babies will be a huge driving factor in the success of our event. We are grateful for the time and support they’re able to lend us.”

About the March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. The March for Babies is sponsored local by IP Casino Resort and Spa, Memorial Hospital, Boomtown Casino, Gulfport OB-GYN, Wells Fargo, DuPont and Women’s Clinic.

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WCA Helps Bretton’s Wish

Last year West Coast Authentic helped a little girl’s dream come true. Thanks to supporters of the Make A Wish Foundation he is now off to Disney World!

This year WCA donated items for auction to help fulfill the wish of Bretton Bannister. Jason Bobbitt and the staff of WCA are also donating $0.25 for every new “Like” on our Facebook Page so please pass this along to all your friends and family !!!

We are also hosting a contest and will be donating $0.25 towards Bretton’s wish for every new contest entry.

>> ENTER CONTEST AND HELP MAKE BRETTON’S WISH COME TRUE <<

Bretton, age 8, from Springhill loves sports.He plays baseball, curling, ball hockey and started basketball this past fall. His dad coaches Midget level hockey. Bretton’s older brother, Brady plays hockey. Although Bretton loves hockey, he is unable to play due to a life threatening heart condition ~ Aortic Valve Stenosis.

Bretton’s family will be our guest family aligned with fundraiser ~ ‘Justice Scores For Wishes’. This hockey challenge will be between NS Dept of Justice Sheriff’s Department and the Halifax Regional Police. This fun event will take place at the BMOCentre in Bedford on March 31st from 1:30 – 3:30 pm on the “D” ice surface. A silent auction will also be part of the festivities.

Bretton loves the Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, his favourite player is local boy, Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins. The Justice Scores for Wishes fundraising committee has coordinated a special surprise call to Bretton from Brad Marchand the prior to the event.

Bretton’s Wish is to have a family trip to Disney World. His best day ever was a trip to Magic Mountain… Imagine the fun he’ll have at Disney when his wish is fulfilled this Spring!

Read more about Bretton on the Make a Wish Foundation website

The organizers hope to raise over $7,000 toward Bretton’s Wish trip.

Please consider helping them “Score for Wishes”!

By entering West Coast Authentic’s Golden Puck contest, you will also be helping fulfill Bretton’s wish! Click the “Enter Now” button below to enter the contest. Good Luck!

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