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Bill George and Thunder to make major announcement Friday

April 7, 2005 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Thursday, April 7, 2005) - Bill George and the Minnesota Thunder will be holding a press conference on Friday to make a major announcement that will impact Minnesota's soccer community for years. This press conference will be held on Friday, April 8 at 4 p.m. at Champps Restaurant in St. Paul located at 2431 W. 7th Street. Thunder majority owner and former CEO of Medtronic, Bill George, will be present to assist with the announcement.

The change to be announced will be the first of its kind in the sixteen-year history of the Thunder and promises to have a lasting impact on soccer in the Twin Cities. Also present for the announcement will be minority owner Saeed Kadkhodaian, president Jim Froslid, general manager Djorn Buchholz, head coach Buzz Lagos, president of Soccer Blast Ron Carter, and several Thunder players.

For more information on the press conference, please contact Djorn Buchholz at 651-917-8326.

2. THUNDER TRAINING CAMP OPENS

The Minnesota Thunder opened training camp this week at the Bielenberg center in Woodbury. The Thunder is anxious to improve on last season's 13-9-6 record that placed them third in the former Western Conference of the A-League. The Thunder have sixteen returning players and another fourteen players in camp that are vying for a roster spot for the upcoming season. The Thunder is confident that it will find a replacement for 2004 First Team A-League Defenseman Dustin Branan, who was picked up by the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer.

For a complete training schedule, please contact Chris Kokalis at 651-917-8326.

3. THUNDER TO PLAY FIRST PRESEASON GAME THIS WEEKEND

The Thunder will begin its 2005 preseason game schedule by playing in a tournament Sunday, April 10th at the Lacrosse Soccer Fields in Lacrosse, WI that is sponsored by the Lacrosse Soccer Club. The Thunder will play the University of Wisconsin-Madison at 11 a.m. followed by a match with University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at 1 p.m.

4. THUNDER OFFERS LUCRATIVE FUNDRAISER

The Thunder is offering a very lucrative fundraising opportunity for all clubs that are members of the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association. MYSA clubs and teams can simply help the Thunder sell tickets for its home opener in the Metrodome on May 7. They will sell a VIP ticket valued at $16 for only $10. The club or team will get $5 for every ticket sold. Return your order forms before April 25th and the Thunder will be responsible for mailing all tickets.

"This is a simple and effecient way for clubs to pay for tournament fees, uniforms, and treveling costs," said Mark Lieblein, director of ticket sales. "Let's fill the Metorodome and start the season off on a high note."

For more information on this fundraising opportunity, please visit www.mnthunder.com, call Mark Lieblein at the Thunder office at 651-917-0049, or contact Mark via email at mark@mnthunder.com.



USL First Division Stories from April 7, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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