Gems and ITT hosting four military personnel to be "Gems for a Day"

March 22, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


DAYTON, OH- In conjunction with ITT, the Dayton Gems will be sponsoring four military personnel to become "Gems for a Day" on Saturday, March 26.

The four personnel will sign honorary contracts for the day and follow the Gems team as players go through their game day routines. Highlights of the day include: watching morning practice, having a one-on-one strategy session with head coach Brian Gratz and talking with the media before, during, and after the game.

Taking part in the event will be Tommy Aretz, Travis Snider, Eric Paulikonis and Tana Frangioni. A fifth person, Steven Jackson, is unable to attend due to participation in a USAF training assignment that is out of the area.

This is an event the Gems are not only happy to be hosting, but are also greatly honored to be doing for active members of the military.

"It is our privilege to host some of our nation's finest young men and womenwho are committed to protecting our great country," said Dayton Gems President Joe Greene. "Our teamwill be stronger than ever on March 26th with our new personnel leading the way."

All four participants are currently active members in the military. This will be the first time the Gems have allowed non-Gems staff members to take part in the player's daily routine.

Frangioni is especially excited about the day. She is currently the Captain of the Dayton Fangs Women's Ice Hockey Team, which plays in the Pennsylvania, Ohio Women's Hockey Association. She has been on the team for all five years of its existence and has been playing hockey for the past 13 years.

"I am really looking forward to the opportunity to see the "behind the Scenes" of the Gems," Frangioni wrote in an e-mail.

This event will be one of many taking place on March 26. A pregame tailgating party, silent auction and post game jersey auction are also taking place that night. Greater Ohio Virtual School, K99 and WHIOare also handing out 1,000 youth jerseys that evening.

Proceeds from the auctions and a portion of the ticket sales will go toward the Kyle Terrian Fund to help the Terrian Family of New Carlisle with medical bills for their son Kyle, who has a rare form of cancer.

Basic info about Four Participants:

Eric Paulikonis

Has been in the Air Force for 21 years

Has served in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Korea and Africa. He is married to his wife, Julie, and has two daughters, Christa and Rachael. He also has a granddaughter, Annalisa.

Travis Snider

Is married to his wife, Kim, and is the father of three children, Sabian, Ciara and Willow

Tana Frangioni

Has served in the military for 15 years. Her husband, Ralph, and their three daughters. Tana has also been playing hockey for the past 13 years.

Tommy Aretz

Will be at the game with his parents, Tony and Terry Aretz, and his brother, Micheal.

The Kettering Medical Center is proud to be the official title sponsor of the Gems for the 2010-11 season.



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