BOISE - On the heels of the Special Olympics World Winter Games, the Ironman 70.3 Boise and other similar sporting events to call Boise home in 2009, a group has been formed to organize community support for other national and international sporting events to Southern Idaho.

Biose developer Mark Rivers will co-chair the 'Boise Sports Council,' along with famed local cyclist Kristin Armstrong.

The group's first big challenge will be submitting a bid to bring the 2011 USA Cycling Championships to Boise, thus the choice of Armstrong to co-chair the sports council seems obvious.

"We want to grow the sports event business here, in both profile and stature," said Rivers, going on to elaborate the snowball affect of bringing events to Boise and putting on a good show in the process.

The council features a high-profile individual from nearly every major sports-related entity in Boise. Boise State athletic director Gene Bleymaier is part of it, as are managers of the Idaho Stampede and Steelheads.

The Boise Hawks will likely be represented as well, joining others from Bogus Basin, the local YMCA and the Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The council is operating through contributions of time and expenses, but is expecting to collaborate with local government and business organizations for funding down the road. Long term plans could also include new facilities in the area to host events, Rivers told me by phone.

He pointed to the example of Omaha, Nebraska, where a similar sports council worked with the community to solidify funding for an upgraded baseball facility leading to a 25-year contract extension to host college baseball's world series.

The Council will launch a website this February, www.sportsboise.com.

Coucil Members as of January 18, 2010:

Mark Rivers, co-chair, Brix & Co.
Kristin Armstrong, co-chair, Olympic cycling champion
Gene Bleymaier, Boise State University
John Cunningham, Blockk 22 LLC (Idaho Steelheads/Qwest Arena)
Jim Everett, Treasure Valley YMCA
Bill Illett, Idaho Stampede
AnnMarie Johnson, Boise State University
Nancy Merrill, Idaho Parks and Rec
Bobbi Patterson, Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau
Daniel Prohaska, Idaho Trust National Bank
Mike Sirley, Bogus Basin
Gretchen Anderson, Bogus Basin
Megan Jones, Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau