Chicago Shamrox name and logo unveiled
May 11, 2006 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Chicago Shamrox News Release
The "Chicago Shamrox" was announced today as the name of new Chicago indoor professional lacrosse franchise of the National Lacrosse League. The announcement was made by the team ownership, which includes former NBA player and former Chicago Bulls coach Kevin Loughery and business executives Kevin Loughery Jr., Don Sallee and Doug Schaer.
The Chicago Shamrox ownership group also named Conrad "Connie" Kowal as team president and Phil Ryan as vice president, director of Lacrosse Operations.
"The Shamrox name was the top choice of the fans in our Internet voting contest," said Kevin Loughery Jr., managing partner and governor of the Chicago franchise. "We listened to the fans and we really like the name Shamrox. And we have some terrific logos that we trust our fans, players, coaches and staff will be proud to wear."
The team also announced a new official Web site, www.ChicagoShamrox.com. Team merchandise is also available now by ordering online at the team Web site. Season Ticket deposits, for only $25, are now being accepted at the Shamrox website or by phone at 866-4CHI-NLL.
Conrad "Connie" Kowal was named as president of the Chicago Shamrox. Kowal is a Chicago native who has been a sports executive for over 26 years, with front office experience in Major League Baseball, the NFL and other sports organizations. His background includes executive positions with the Chicago Cubs for 14 seasons (1985-1998) and, from 2003 to 2005, as senior director of marketing and business development for the NFL's New Orleans Saints.
"I am very excited and look forward to building this organization and Chicago Shamrox indoor lacrosse in Chicago," said Kowal. "Lacrosse is an exciting sport, a sport that is on an incredible growth pattern, and indoor lacrosse is a great sport to watch. Sports fans in general, and lacrosse fans in particular, will really enjoy the action of Chicago Shamrox indoor lacrosse when we open up the NLL season at the new Sears Centre arena in Hoffman Estates in January of 2007."
Phil Ryan brings lacrosse experience, both on and off the field, to the Chicago Shamrox. He has played collegiate (Washington College, MD) and professional lacrosse (Detroit, NLL, 1994), has been a successful coach at the youth, high school and collegiate levels in Chicago, and has helped expand the sport of lacrosse in the Chicagoland area as a partner with the business enterprise, Lacrosse America. He also had a successful career as an executive with Merrill Lynch.
The Chicago Shamrox inaugural NLL season begins in January 2007 at the new Sears Centre arena in suburban Hoffman Estates. The National Lacrosse League is in its 20th season of play and hosts its NLL Champion's Cup this Saturday, May 13, at 6PM ET (live ESPN2 telecast) featuring the Buffalo Bandits and the Colorado Mammoth at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from May 11, 2006
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