2023 Dennis Lafata Gateway Boys Bid Classic

Our 2023 event will return to the weekend before President's day - Saturday thru Monday February 11-13, 2023. 

Click here for Final 2022 Results!
Click here for Final 2021 Results!
Click here for Final 2020 Results!
Click here for final 2019 Results!
Click here for final 2018 Results!

February 11-13, 2023

• 2023 Tournament Registration opens October 1, 2022
• 2023 Housing Registration opens September 1, 2022
• Open Divisions Offered: U14, U15, U16, U17, U18
• USA Divisions Offered: U14, U15, U16, U17, U18
• Club Divisions Offered: U11/12, U13/14, U15/16, U17/18
• 7 match guarantee for 13-18s Divisions
• 2 day (Saturday-Sunday) U11/12 Division
• First referees provided for all matches; teams to provide remainder of work crew (certified Adult R2 & scorer, 2 line judges, asst. scorer).
• For more information e-mail shyu.gatewayvb@gmail.com

Late Entry Deadline: January 1, 2023
Final Entry Deadline: February 4, 2023
Final AES Roster Deadline: February 8, 2023
Entry Fee: $775/team - $575/team for 12U - (Additional $50 if after late entry deadline)
Entry Process: Advanced Event Systems (AES) Tourney is listed as 23 Dennis Lafata Boys Bid Classic.
Team Online Check-in: Opens Tuesday February 7, 2023 at 12am.  Closes Thursday February 9, 2023 at 5pm CST
Team In-Person Check-in: Friday February 10, 2023 - 3-9pm CST
There is no late check-in.  ALL TEAMS must be checked in before the first day of competition.

First day AM Playing Waves: TBD
First day PM Playing Waves:  TBD

This 2022 festival is a Stay & Play Event

Housing is open!  Click here to make reservations!
Contact info for hotels: Chris Due, cdue@capitolsportscenter.com or 1-317-839-5222 ext 117

2022 Playing Site

America Center
701 Convention Plaza
St Louis, MO 63101

Team Admission

Registered teams may roster up to 15 players, and 3 coaches.  Players get in free.  Credentials will only be issued for up to 3 rostered coaches.  Coaches that appear on multiple rosters will not be issued additional credentials.

General Admission

$35 for a 3-day pass.  $15 for a 1-day pass.  Passes go on sale at 7am Sat-Mon in Rm 120 of the convention center.  3-day passes may also be purchased cash-only on Friday at Championship Desk between 3-9pm CST.  Baller TV will provide streaming for the event.

Warmup Ball Rental

A very limited supply of warm-up balls will be provided for warm-up use during the event.  First emailed - first reserved.  A $300 deposit will be necessary to use a set of 6 balls.  A $50 charge for each lost ball will be incurred.  The final day to reserve balls is Thursday February 9, 2023 at 5pm.  Contact Brittney winters.gatewayvb@gmail.com

Practice Court Rental

Limited courts are available Friday February 10, 2023 at $20/hr.

Food Options Around St. Louis

Here you can link to a field guide for the event. You can find  discounts that are offered exclusively for our volleyball attendees only.  Safe travels and see you soon: https://explorestlouis.com/capitol-sports/

Downtown Parking

A PDF map of parking is below, or you may follow this link to an interactive map of the downtown area to locate parking garages for the weekend: https://explorestlouis.com/travel-tools/get-around-st-louis/downtown-parking/

Boys 18s Open Division – 9 Open Bids – Min 32 Teams
Boys 18s USA Division – 5 USA Bids – Min 22 Teams
Boys 17s Open Division – 7 Open Bids – Min 28 Teams
Boys 17s USA Division – 5 USA Bids – Min 22 Teams
Boys 16 Open Division – 7 Open Bids – Min 28 Teams
Boys 16 USA Division – 6 USA Bids – Min 26 Teams
Boys 15 Open Division – 4 Open Bids – Min 18 Teams
NEW for 2022 - Boys 15 USA Division - 7 Bids - Min 28 Teams
Boys 14 Open Division – 3 Open Bids – Min 14 Teams
Boys 14 USA Division – 9 USA Bids – Min 32 Teams

There are  spots for college coaches to attend  - just register within University Athlete.

Online Check-in!
Clubs/Teams must check their teams in online.  A representative of the team will still need to stop by the Convention Center Friday February 11, 2022 between 3-9pm (CST) to pickup coach wristbands and sign off on bid intent.  Roster changes after online check-in window closes will incur a $25 penalty.

Online Check in Opens 12:00am Tuesday February 8, 2022
Online Check in Closes 5:00pm (CST) Thursday February 10, 2022

In-Person Team Credential pick-up: Friday February 11, 2021 - 3-9pm (CST) Teams that experience last minute changes after completing online check-in will need to  manually update their roster at championship desk and pickup credentials between 3-9pm in the Convention Center.

There is no late check-in.  ALL TEAMS must complete check-in either online or make final changes in-person on Friday February 11, 2022 between 3-9pm.

A Team/Club representative must pick-up coach wristbands Friday February 11, 2022 between 3-9pm.

1. Go to Advanced Event Systems to register your team and club.
2. Click on Add Club if you are a new user. If you already have a password and username, skip to step 4. If not, fill out the club info and hit the submit button.
3. Next, fill out the Club Director info, creating a username and password and making sure to keep your username and password in an accessible spot for future use.
4. Enter your username and password and login.
5. Click on Staff, then "Add New Staff." Enter the information, and hit the submit button.
6. Click on Players, then "Add New Players." Enter the information, and hit the submit button. Repeat for all players.
7. Click on Teams from the list on the left.
8. Click on Add New Teams, enter info, and submit information.
9. Click on your new team, and then on "Add/Update Staff." Click on "Add New Staff" and choose from the pull down list the available names and hit submit.
10. Go back to "Teams," click on the selected team, and then on "Add/Update Team Players." Choose from the pull down list of available names and hit submit. Continue until all team players are added.
11. Click on "Enter Events." Hit the "Register" 22 Dennis Lafata Boys Bid Classic.
12. Select the division from the pull down list that you wish to enter your team and click on "Register Teams."
13. Make sure you update your results under the results section!
14. Contact AES Housing at 1-800-476-0060 x18 for rooms to ensure that you meet the Stay to Play requirement of 12 room nights per team.
15. Event staff will send out broadcast emails to inform you of other information and steps as they come available. The checks and registration form can be sent to Gateway Region Volleyball; 5555 St. Louis Mills Blvd  Suite 265; Hazelwood, MO 63042.

The first three forms below outline the policies and procedures to be completed by foreign teams that wish to participate in this Boys Bid Event.  The last two forms are part of the paperwork to be filled out and returned to our Region office, along with additional required forms for each player and coach.  Forms may be scanned/PDF'd and emailed to Linus Shyu at shyu@gatewayvb.org.  Insurance Fees may be paid online - requests may be electronically invoiced.

Forms and fees may also be mailed to:

Gateway Region Volleyball
601 Gravois Bluffs Blvd - STE G
Fenton, MO 63026