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No shirt, no shoes, no soccer

August 12, 2004 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Thursday, August 12, 2004) - The Minnesota Thunder and its non-profit arm, Thunder P.L.U.S, have teamed up with the U.S. Soccer Foundation in the first-annual Passback Event. The purpose of the Passback is to collect gently used and new soccer equipment for underserved youth in the Twin Cities and to donate to the Zambian Children's Fund.

Thunder P.L.U.S. will be collecting soccer equipment during the Thunder's last home game of the season this Saturday, Aug. 14, at 7:15 p.m. at James Griffin Stadium.

To purchase tickets, call 651-917-TEAM or visit www.mnthunder.com

Each person donating equipment will be able to enter a raffle for a chance to win one of three prizes: (1) 2005 Thunder Mini Flex Pack (2) autographed Thunder t-shirt (3) autographed Thunder soccer ball. Water bottles, Thunder posters, stickers, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream coupons, and other items will also be given away. Those fans not donating soccer equipment will also be able to enter the raffle by making a donation to Thunder P.L.U.S.

Medtronic and Star Tribune Community Affairs have also teamed up with Thunder P.L.U.S. to organize internal employee equipment drives, while the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association has assisted by promoting the drive and providing a van for the collection of gear at the Aug. 14 game.

If you are unable to make it to the Thunder game on Saturday, equipment may be dropped off in Thunder P.L.U.S. collection bins at all Bremer Bank metro area branches during the month of August.

GRAMENZ TO ENTER THUNDER HALL OF FAME

During halftime of Saturday's game at Griffin Stadium the Thunder will honor long-time Thunder player Don Gramenz by inducting him into the Thunder Hall of Fame. A defender, Gramenz played in 212 A-League games during 13 seasons with the Thunder, in which he scored 17 goals and added 28 assists. Gramenz's 17 goals put him 10th all-time in Thunder history, while his 28 assists are the fourth most all-time.

Gramenz is only the sixth player to be elected into the Thunder Hall of Fame joining John Swallen, Gerald Lagos, Manny Lagos, Tony Sanneh and Tony Peszneker.

THUNDER OFFER CONDOLENCES TO "TIMBER JIM" AND FAMILY

The Minnesota Thunder would like to offer condolences to the long-time "mascot" of the Portland Timbers, Timber Jim. Jim Serrill tragically lost his 17 year-old daughter, Hannah Serrill, in a car accident last Thursday afternoon. Mr. Serrill was told of his daughter's accident during the first half of the Thunder-Timbers game in Portland. The Thunder players', coaches' and staff's thoughts are with Jim Serrill and his family during this difficult time.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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