Additions to the Soul Championship Celebration Announced
July 31, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (Wednesday, July 30) - The Philadelphia Soul announced on Wednesday additions to the team's Championship Celebration that is being thrown by the City of Philadelphia at City Hall's Dilworth Plaza on Thursday, July 31, including an exclusive partnership agreement with Virgin Mobile to be the presenting sponsor of the event.
Among the many additions, the Mayor's Press Secretary Doug Oliver, filling in for the vacationing Mayor Michael Nutter, will proclaim July 31, 2008 Philadelphia Soul Day throughout the City. The result of that will be the City lighting all the bridges and the fountain in Love Park Soul blue, as well as having the PECO building read a special message for the Soul's Virgin Mobile ArenaBowl XXII win this past Sunday.
It was also announced that Soul radio play-by-play man Ari Wolfe and the Soul's in-arena voice Vinnie The Crum will emcee the event.
Finally, there will be a post-Celebration party at Chickie's & Pete's in Northeast Philadelphia.
On Tuesday the team announced it was celebrating its first ArenaBowl title with Championship Celebration that included appearances by co-majority owners Jon Bon Jovi and Craig Spencer, as well as minority owner Leo Carlin Jr. and team president and minority owner Ron Jaworski. Bon Jovi will not perform at the celebration, but Jon will address the fans. In addition to coaches and players, including league MVP and ArenaBowl MVP QB Matt D'Orazio, being in attendance, the Soulmates and Soulman will also be there. The Soul Band and Drumline will also perform.
Players will arrive at City Hall at approximately 3 p.m. via police escort as Saturn of Philadelphia will provide Saturn Skys for transportation. Flatbed trucks will also carry players to the event.
The Soul celebrated their fifth anniversary this season with a 59-56 win over the San Jose SaberCats in Virgin Mobile ArenaBowl XXII. The Soul drew a total of 131,817 fans this season, their largest number since their inaugural season of 2004. The Soul sold out four games in the 2008 season and averaged a crowd of 16,477 fans per game. Since their inception, the Soul have drawn a total of 646,043 fans, the most in the AFL over that time frame. Following last season, the Soul were recognized with the Commissioner's Award as the Organization of the Year and were an honorable mention for the PRISM Award in the category of fan appreciation.
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