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Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators "Salute to Atlanta Traffic" Jersey Auction a Success

February 27, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


The Gwinnett Gladiators announced today that their 4th Annual Jersey Off Our Backs Charity Auction raised over $28,000. The auction took place following the Gladiators hard fought 4-1 victory against Pensacola on Sunday night.

The jerseys, designed as a tongue-in-cheek celebration of Atlanta's notorious reputation as "Gridlock Capital of the South", resembled the typical Department of Transportation workers fluorescent vests, adorned with traffic signs and highway markers down the sleeves. As with Gwinnett's traditional jersey, the Gladiators crest adorned the front of each sweater.

The jerseys were worn at both Saturday night's game vs. South Carolina as well as on Sunday. Following the game on Sunday, Gladiators fans assembled in the Main Lobby of the Arena waiting to bid on their favorite players jersey. Some fans simply wanted one of the limited edition jerseys regardless of whose it was.

Each season, the Gladiators select a theme for their annual Jersey Off Our Backs promotion. A limited number of jerseys are produced for the team to wear during the weekend and they are auctioned off immediately following the game. All proceeds from the auction benefit the Gladiators Foundation for Kids, the team's non-profit arm.

Over the team's first three seasons, the Foundation has already donated over $95,000 in cash to many various North Metro Atlanta area charities - most of which focus on children.

"We are extremely thankful and appreciative of our fans support of our annual Jersey Off Our Backs auction," said Gladiators President Steve Chapman, "I thought that both the design and the theme of this season's jersey would be memorable and fun. The auction is the main fundraiser for our Foundation and it was a pleasure to distribute the money we raised last year to the many North Metro Atlanta children's charities that we assist throughout the year on the same day as the auction this year."

These annual post-game specialty jersey auctions have raised over $100,000 during the team's first four seasons. The Gladiators special "St. Patrick's Day" jerseys raised over $16,600 during the team's inaugural season while the "Tie-Dye" jerseys brought in $28,175 for the Foundation during the 2004-05 season. Last season's "Military Appreciation" jerseys raised over $46,000 and this year's "Salute to Atlanta Traffic" Jerseys netted $28,000.

The 23 jerseys fetched an average of nearly $1,200 per jersey. Gladiator's goaltender Dan Turple's jersey took the highest bid - bringing in $2,000. Other winning bids included $1,650 for left wing Mike Vigilante while leading goal scorer Colton Fretter and defenseman Matt York both went for $1,550. In total, 20 of the 23 jerseys sold for $1,000 or more.

In addition to hosting the largest fundraiser of the year for the Gladiators Foundation for Kids on Sunday with the Jersey Off Our Backs auction, grants were distributed to North Metro Atlanta children's charities. During the first intermission of Sunday's game, the Gladiators honored and recognized the recipients of grants from The Gladiators Foundation for Kids donating $40,000 to 25 organizations in North Metro Atlanta.

"The Gladiators Foundation for Kids" was established by the by the Gwinnett Gladiators to help support the many Non-Profit Agencies and Organizations who work with Children in Gwinnett and surrounding communities. The Gladiators for Kids Fund is managed by the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, a highly respected 501-C-3 charitable organization based in Duluth, GA.

The Gwinnett Gladiators continue their fourth season as a proud member of the ECHL on March 2nd as they travel to Columbia to take on the Inferno at 7:05 p.m. Season tickets are on sale now. In addition, the Gladiators offer several unique multi-game ticket packages as well as discounted group rates, suite rentals, and birthday parties. For more information call 770-497-5100 or log on to gwinnettgladiators.com.

The Gladiators are the AA affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers and play all home games on the Your Best Rate Financial Home Ice at the spectacular 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth, where parking is always free.

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