2021 Dennis Lafata Gateway Boys Bid Classic

Our 2021 event will return to the weekend before President's day - Friday thru Sunday February 5-7, 2021. 

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

As of 2-4-2020 our event has been awarded the following Bids:

14 Open - 3 Bids that trickle as low as 6th Place (16 teams)
15 Open - 3 Bids that trickle as low as 10th Place (25 teams)
16 Open - 4 Bids that trickle as low as 11th Place (28 teams)
17 Open - 4 Bids that trickle as low as 10th Place (26 teams)
18 Open - 4 Bids that trickle as low as 12th Place (30 teams)
14 USA - 4 Bids that trickle as low as 10th Place (26 teams)
16 USA - 5 Bids that trickle as low as 16th Place (59 teams)
17 USA - 5 Bids that trickle as low as 16th Place (42 teams)
18 USA - 5 Bids that trickle as low as 16th Place (71 teams)

1st-3rd place awards in every Gold division.

New This Year - Online Check-in!
Clubs/Teams may choose to check their teams in online to save time.  A representative of the team will still need to stop by the Convention Center Friday February 7, 2020 between 3-9pm to pickup coach wristbands and sign off on bid intent.  Teams that check-in online are doing so with the knowledge that they may NOT make any updates to their rosters once online check-in is complete without a $25 penalty.

Online Check in Opens 12:00am Monday February 3, 2020
Online Check in Closes 11:59pm Wednesday February 5, 2020

In-Person Team Check-in: Friday February 7, 2020 - 3-9pm
Teams that choose not to check their teams in online will be required to manually check-in their teams and pickup wristbands between 3-9pm in the Convention Center.

There is no late check-in.  ALL TEAMS must complete check-in either online or in-person on Friday February 7, 2020 between 3-9pm.

To see a list of college coaches that have pre-registered to attend this event, please follow this link: https://universityathlete.com/#/attending/20056

February 8-10, 2020

• 2020 Tournament Registration opens October 1, 2019
• 2020 Housing Registration opens September 1, 2019
• Open Divisions Offered: U14, U15, U16, U17, U18 ( 3 bids each for U14 & U15.  4 bids each for U16-U18)
• USA Divisions Offered: U14, U16, U17, U18 - (4 Bids for U14.  5 bids each for U16-18)
• Club Divisions Offered: U12 (2 day), U13, U15
• 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.org

Late Entry Deadline: Friday January 10, 2020
Final Entry Deadline: Monday February 3, 2020
Final AES Roster Deadline: Monday February 3, 2020
Entry Fee: $675/team - $475/team for 12U - (Additional $50 if after late entry deadline)
Entry Process: Advanced Event Systems (AES) Tourney is listed as 20 Dennis Lafata Boys Bid Classic.
Team Online Check-in: Opens Monday February 3, 2020 at 12am.  Closes Wednesday February 5, 2020 at 11:59pm
Team In-Person Check-in: Friday February 7, 2020 - 3-9pm
There is no late check-in.  ALL TEAMS must be checked in before the first day of competition.

First day 8:00 AM Playing Waves: All Open Divisions, 12C, 13C, 14U, 15C
First day 2:30 PM Playing Waves: 16-18U

This 2020 festival is a Stay & Play Event

Click here for Hotels reservations through AES - reservations open September 1, 2019
Hotels will be continually added.
Contact info for hotels: Scott McQueen, smcqueen@capitolsportscenter.com or 1-317-839-5222 ext 116

2020 Playing Site

America Center
701 Convention Plaza
St Louis, MO 63101

Team Admission

Registered teams will receive up to 3 adult wristbands for rostered coaches (1 Head Coach, 2 Assistant Coaches).  Players must be in team warm-up/uniform to enter playing venue.  Wristbands are not given to Team Reps, Managers, or Chaperones.

General Admission

Tickets and passes (wristbands) are sold in Rm 120 at the America Center starting at 7am Saturday February 8, 2020.  $10 per day, or $25 for a 3 day weekend pass.  Cash-only purchases may be made at the Tournament Desk Friday February 7, 2020 from 3-8pm.

Warmup Ball Rental

A very limited supply of warm-up balls will be provided for warm-up use during the event.  First come-first-served.  A Driver's License or other form of Valid ID will be necessary to use a set or 8 balls.  A $50 charge for each lost ball will be incurred.

Practice Court Rental

Teams may access practice court time between 3-8pm Friday Februrary 7, 2020.  Cost is $20.  Arrive with full team and check-in at Championship Desk to be assigned to a court.

USAV High Performance Tryout (Tentative)

USAV will be hosting a Boys Indoor High Performance Tryout Friday February 7, 2020 at the America Center from 4-8pm CST.  For more information and Registration, click here!

Things to Do Around St. Louis

Here you can link to our visitors guide for the event. You can find things to do around the city and also discounts that are offered exclusively for our volleyball attendees only. Safe travels and see you soon:  https://explorestlouis.com/dlgbc/

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" 20 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
5555 St. Louis Mills Blvd. Suite 265
Hazelwood, MO 63042