SSA Global Backs Windy City Open: North America’s Richest Squash Championship
SSA Global™, the largest Chicago-based software company and a leading provider of extended enterprise solutions and services, today (Tuesday) announced its title sponsorship of the 2006 SSA Global Windy City Open Squash Championships.
The 25th annual tournament, which will take place at the University Club of Chicago from 16-24 January 2006, becomes the richest Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour event in North America.
Considered one of the top-10 PSA events on the world tour, the championship will draw nearly 60 world-renowned squash players, including number one-ranked Thierry Lincou from France. Squash boasts more than one million players in the USA, with more than 1,500 in the Chicago area.
“Chicago is a vibrant squash community, and we are excited to host a tournament on par with the US, Qatar, British, and Hong Kong Opens,” said John Flanigan, tournament and athletic director, University Club of Chicago. “SSA Global has been integral in raising the game and elevating the tournament to world-class status.”
This year marks SSA Global’s third as the tournament’s title sponsor. With a prize purse of $100,000, the 2006 SSA Global Windy City Open tops out as the most lucrative tournament in US professional squash history. International competitors, including more than 200 amateur players of all skill levels, will travel to Chicago to compete in the event.
“SSA Global is competing and winning internationally in the top tier of enterprise software and services. This tournament provides the perfect opportunity to represent our business while sharing our passion for squash with Chicago and the rest of the world,” said Graeme Cooksley, executive vice president, SSA Global. “Additionally, SSA Global has been headquartered in Chicago for 25 years and we want to help fortify the city’s global cache as a world travel destination through this international sport.”
The University Club expects to seat more than 2,000 spectators in Cathedral Hall alongside a special all-glass squash court. SSA Global is the title sponsor of the event, while lead corporate sponsors include Cognos, Grant Thornton, LaSalle Bank, Mercer-Marsh and the Tilchen Corporation. Additional corporate sponsors include Foley & Lardner; Uline; Midland Marketing; Alpha Capital; Ancora Associates; Holstein Law and Front Row.
About the University Club of Chicago:
The University Club of Chicago is downtown’s premier business, social, and athletic club, located at Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street, directly across from Millennium Park. The University Club of Chicago was established in 1889 by university graduates who wanted a special place where they could enjoy intellectual pursuits. The University Club of Chicago was founded for the purpose of fostering an appreciation of literature and the arts. College or university graduation remains the basic requirement for membership, and within the membership nearly every business and profession is represented.
About SSA Global:
SSA Global™ (NASDAQ: SSAG) is a leading provider of extended ERP solutions for manufacturing, distribution, retail, services and public organizations worldwide. In addition to core ERP applications, SSA Global offers a full range of integrated extension solutions including corporate performance management, customer relationship management, product lifecycle management, supply chain management and supplier relationship management. Headquartered in Chicago, SSA Global has 63 locations worldwide and its product offerings are used by approximately 13,000 active customers in over 90 countries. For additional information, visit the SSA Global web site at www.ssaglobal.com