Monarchs' Season Opener Includes Championship Ring Ceremony

Published on December 21, 2005 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Sacramento Monarchs News Release


SACRAMENTO, CALIF., Dec. 21, 2005- The 2005 WNBA Champion Sacramento Monarchs will host the Phoenix Mercury on Opening Day, Saturday, May 20, to be nationally televised on ABC, at 1 p.m. PDT, at ARCO Arena, with the Championship ring ceremony to take place prior to tip-off.

Though this may be the first ring ceremony for the Monarchs, a season opening match up with the Phoenix Mercury is very familiar. The 2006 Home Opener marks the fifth occasion in which Sacramento will face Phoenix in their season opener and the fourth time in as many years. The Monarchs have won the last three consecutive season openers against the Mercury (1-0 home, 2-0 road) and currently lead the all-time series 18-14 (10-5 home, 8-9 road).

The 2006 season marks the 10th Anniversary of the WNBA and the Monarchs, as one of six original members in the League. Along with the yearlong 10th Anniversary celebration, this season's 34-game schedule will have some thrilling match-ups. Sacramento will reunite with their 2005 WNBA Finals opponent, the Connecticut Sun, on Saturday, July 15, to be nationally televised on ABC, at 1 p.m. PDT, at ARCO Arena. The Monarchs look forward to the return of fellow 2005 WNBA Champion and former teammate, Chelsea Newton. Newton, now a member of the WNBA's newest franchise, the Chicago Sky, comes to town on Saturday, June 10, at 7 p.m. PDT. On Thursday, July 20, at 11:30 a.m. PDT, the Monarchs will hold Camp Day for children as Sacramento takes on the New York Liberty.

As the 2006 season draws closer, Monarchs Head Coach and General Manager, John Whisenant, the 2005 WNBA Coach of the Year, will continue efforts for another rousing Monarchs season. Entering the 2006 season, two Monarchs sit atop the league statistically: Yolanda Griffith is the all-time offensive rebound leader (818), while Ticha Penicheiro is the all-time leader in assists (1,591).

Be a part of the Monarchs 10th Anniversary season. 2006 Sacramento Monarchs Season Tickets are on sale now, please call (916) 419-WNBA. For more information, please visit the Monarchs website at www.SacramentoMonarchs.com .

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