United World Sports, the organizers of the USA 7s and Las Vegas Invitational, has announced that Jon Hinkin has been promoted to Tournament Director.

Hinkin has been working with United World Sports (back before it was called United World Sports), helping run aspects of the USA 7s and the CRC 7s tournament. In addition, Hinkin conceived of, and ran what became the Las Vegas Invitational, or LVI. He started it when the USA 7s was in San Diego, running a multi-format, multi-field tournament with very little budget or help. Through the years, through Hinkin's perseverance, the LVI has become the largest rugby tournament in the USA.

Now, Hinkin takes charge of the big-daddy tournament. The 2017 USA Sevens will be held at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas from March 3-5, 2017 with over 80,000 people expected.

“There is no one more deserving of this role than Jon is, and we are very pleased to have him take over as Tournament Director at a time when the USA Sevens is about to ascend to new heights in visibility, brand activation and participation,” said United World Sports President Jonathan First.  “He has the unique balance of success in the business world and on the field that will be invaluable to us going forward.”

“I am a great believer in the continued growth of rugby as a sports and entertainment property in the United States, and there is no event with more potential than USA Sevens in Las Vegas,” Hinkin said.  “I have seen the event grow as both a player and as a business professional, and look forward to working closely to expand its business footprint even larger.”

Hinkin has been with United World Sports (UWS) since its inception in 2006. He has also held Competition Management positions in UWS events including the Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship in Philadelphia, the Pro Soccer Challenge, the Penn Mutual Varsity Cup, and is listed as an inventor of Super Sevens rugby.

The former star at rugby powerhouse Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif. enjoyed a brilliant playing career which saw him represent the United States from 1991 – 1998, captaining the USA Sevens team in 1997 and 1998. He played in the inaugural Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1993, and was a reserve on the 1997 World Cup Sevens team. Hinkin was a longtime player for OMBAC in San Diego, and was 12 national championship sides in 15s and 7s.