USDAA Introduces First Intercollegiate Dog Agility Association

NEWS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Maddie Suvak
440-543-8615 / ms@yp-pr.com
Photos Available Upon Request

 

PLANO, TEXAS – March 1, 2019 -- The United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA) is launching a new Intercollegiate Dog Agility Association (IDAA). USDAA® has always been at the forefront of innovation in the sport of dog agility: first to introduce the sport to North America in 1986, first to offer a tournament series with the Grand Prix of Dog Agility®, first to offer a titling program, first to televise the sport, and now first to launch a new Intercollegiate Dog Agility league in 2019 followed by a national IDA championship in 2020.  

The first group to receive USDAA sanctioning as a charter IDAA Club is Agility Dogs at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. In support of the new association, USDAA has granted complimentary charter status to ASU, and welcomes additional schools wishing to lead the way in collegiate dog agility competition to apply.

Participants in IDAA competition will register their dogs with USDAA and be eligible to compete at USDAA sanctioned events at their appropriate level. Scores will be dually recorded by USDAA according to the official rules and regulations set forth for each competitive class, as well as for the purposes of IDAA league rankings. 

IDAA League Competition will kick off in March at the first USDAA Regional Championship of the year (March 8-10) in Arizona. Details of the final championship event are under development and will be announced later this year.

Agility Dogs at Arizona State University has been a recreational club for a year. According to club President Rebecca Jernigan, they were founded with the mission of promoting the sport of dog agility at the collegiate level through volunteerism, training and competition. The Club has grown to more than 60 members of varying levels of experience, with and without dogs. 

Through a partnership with the local USDAA Club, Good Dog Agility, members of Agility Dogs at ASU are able to further their training and connect with the broader agility community by participating in GDA events and classes with unfilled slots at no cost. In exchange, collegiate club members volunteer their support at GDA shows and events. 

By promoting a culture of partnership, volunteerism, and competitive excellence, USDAA’s Intercollegiate Dog Agility Association charter schools seek to represent the highest level of sportsmanship and canine care in both their personal and club activities. New IDAA clubs are required to apply and register with the USDAA, be affiliated with a local USDAA Club or USDAA member who will provide guidance, and demonstrate support for the broader USDAA community through volunteerism at USDAA events.

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