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WNBA Chicago Sky

Chicago Sky is ready to soar

September 20, 2005 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Chicago Sky News Release


Chicago-The Chicago Sky officially joined the Chicago sports landscape Tuesday, as the new WNBA team released its name, logo, colors and uniform at a fan appreciation event at the Adler Planetarium attended by more than 200 people.

"We wanted the name to have meaning and capture our dreams," CEO and President Margaret Stender told the crowd... We set three important criteria for the name. The name and the logo must be distinctly Chicago, it must be aspirational and encouraging and it must be high energy representing the style and substance that we plan to live by on and off the court.

"And then it dawned on us, there it was, everything Chicago stands for. How it towered, how it inspired, its character, how it stood to face the world. Architects say the Adler Planetarium is the best place in the city to view the spectacular skyline of this city. It is the place to see Chicago reach to the Sky."

Following the announcement, which included a 15-foot Chicago Sky t-shirt that was signed by those in attendance, four of the WNBA's biggest stars conducted a basketball clinic for the children present. Diana Taurasi, 2004 Rookie of the Year from the Phoenix Mercury, Sue Bird, 2005 Cascade Dish and Assist Award winner of the Seattle Storm, Ruth Riley, of the 2003 WNBA Champion Detroit Shock and 2005 Rookie of the Year Temeka Johnson of the Washington Mystics worked with more than 50 youngsters.

Taurasi and Johnson will be available for interviews through Wednesday afternoon. The giant t-shirt will be in locations around the city and suburbs through Oct. 15 and will eventually be auctioned off for charity.

The team's colors will be sky blue and yellow. "A beautiful day in Chicago means a blue sky and bright sunlight to highlight our spectacular skyline," Stender said.

This was latest big step for the Chicago franchise, which was awarded in February, and named NBA Hall of Fame member Dave Cowens general manager and head coach in May.

"The Chicago Sky style of play will be intense and action packed," said Cowens. "If you like basketball, you will love the Sky; they will compete with equal shares of sweat and heart," said Cowens, known for his work ethic and aggressive play in his 10 years with the Boston Celtics.

The Sky will begin play with the 2006 season at the UIC Pavilion, located on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago. The team will be the league's 14th franchise and will play in the Eastern Conference. Season tickets for the Sky's inaugural season are on sale at 877-329-WNBA (9622).

The team's logo can be downloaded from the News section at its web site www.Chicagosky.net.

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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from September 20, 2005


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