Royal to open season at Qwest Field

Farmers Insurance new sponsor for WIAA football, volleyball events

RENTON (AP) — The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association announced Monday that Farmers Insurance Group will be the title sponsor for three annual WIAA events — the Emerald City Volleyball Invitational, the Emerald City Kickoff Classic and the Salute to Spirit.

The partnership will extend through the 2012 school year and will also include exposure for Farmers Insurance at all WIAA state championship events.

"This partnership makes sense for the WIAA member schools because Farmers Insurance Group has a long-standing history of developing educational materials and programs addressing issues that are important to students from all backgrounds," WIAA executive director Mike Colbrese said. "WIAA and Farmers look forward to an exciting weekend of volleyball and football on Labor Day weekend."

"Farmers is proud to be a long-term title sponsor of these WIAA events," said Faye W. McClure, vice president of strategic marketing for Farmers Insurance Group. "We are committed to improving the lives of young men and women through our support of education and athletics, including our award-winning education programs and teacher approved curriculums that showcase the beauty of diversity as well as driver safety and civic education. All programs are made available for free to educators and students across the nation, through Farmers."

WIAA also announced the lineup for the 2007 Kickoff Classic and Volleyball Invitational. Perennial 1A power Royal is involved with the 10-team football event, and will take on 2A Eatonville at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1. All Kickoff Classic games will take place at Seattle's Qwest Field.

Other Kickoff Classic games are as follows: Selah vs. Franklin Pierce, noon; Lakes vs. Gig Harbor, 3 p.m.; Kentridge vs. Inglemoor, 5:30 p.m.; Liberty-Renton vs. Newport-Issaquah, 8 p.m.

General admission tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. The cost covers all-day admission. Reserved tickets can be purchased for $20 apiece. Tickets are available through any participating school or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Day-of-game sales will take place at the Qwest Field box office.

The 2007 Emerald City Volleyball Invitational will be on Friday, Aug. 31, at Eastlake High School in Sammamish. This will be the second year where eight teams will compete in a round-robin tournament, starting at 8 a.m. Competing teams are Eastlake, Eatonville, Eisenhower, Franklin Pierce, Lakes, Liberty-Renton, Newport-Issaquah and Rainier Christian.

Tickets can be purchased at the entrance. They are $8 for adults and $6 for students and seniors.