Ravens update
May 11, 2004 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Vancouver Ravens News Release
The Calgary Roughnecks are the National Lacrosse League's new champions after a 14-11 victory over the Buffalo Bandits in the Champion's Cup Final, Friday, May 7, at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary. The win, earned before a capacity crowd sell out of 19,289, gave the Roughnecks top honours in the world of professional indoor lacrosse in their third season in the NLL. It marks the first time a pro lacrosse team based west of Toronto has won the NLL championship. It also represents the fifth time in the past six years that the NLL Champion's Cup has been won by a Canadian franchise (the Toronto Rock won in 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003).
On behalf of the entire Ravens organization and our fans, congratulations go out to Roughnecks' Governor and majority owner Brad Banister, minority partner Scott Smith, General Manager Dave Bremner and Head Coach Chris Hall. A special acknowledgment to Roughnecks Kyle Goundrey, John Olson, Jesse Phillips, Tyson Leies and Grant Hamilton, all Ravens Lacrosse Alumni, along with Devan Wray, a Ravens draft pick in 2003.
SEASON TICKET RENEWAL TIMELINES
Season ticket subscribers will have the first chance to reserve preferred seat locations for the 2004-2005 NLL season when season ticket renewals begin next month. Full details will be made available the week of May 31, 2004. Deposits for new season tickets will be accepted beginning the same week. For questions or comments, please contact Kelly Duran at (604) 899-5308 or kduran@vancouverravens.com.
SUMMER LACROSSE
The Canadian summer box lacrosse season is now in progress at minor associations throughout British Columbia, with the Western Lacrosse Association regular schedule slated to begin May 14 and both BC Junior A and West Coast Senior B already underway (as of the first week in May). On behalf of all of us associated with Ravens Lacrosse, we encourage you to support the British Columbia Lacrosse Association and its local members across BC and to cheer on your favourite WLA, BC Jr A or Senior B franchise throughout the summer months. Watch for the Ravens Spirit Tour 2004 to make its presence felt at various lacrosse tournaments and special events this summer.
NEW OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE
With respect to the new ownership structure of the Vancouver Ravens, the proposed transaction between MSA Sportworks Entertainment and Partners Group 1, headed by Ottawa-born Raj Kalra, will close on or before June 1st, 2004. We are all excited about the stability and resources that the new structure will provide for Ravens Lacrosse and appreciative of the support we have received from the community throughout the recovery of the franchise over the past year.
YEAR-END ORGANIZATIONAL REVIEW
As part of the franchise's year-end review, Ravens Lacrosse Governor Tom Mayenknecht is conducting a series of close to 50 interviews with players, coaches, technical staff, business operations staff and management. The month-long, 360-degree organizational review -- which began just after the close of the Ravens' 2003-2004 season and will be completed this week -- will serve the planning process for the 2004-2005 NLL season. The Ravens will also hold a series of Ravens Lacrosse Town Hall meetings, principally throughout the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island in June and July, to get feedback from Season Ticket Holders and other fans on how we can make Ravens Lacrosse better than ever. More details on the schedule of Ravens Lacrosse Town Hall meetings and locations will be made available later this month.
MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR
May 7, 2004 represents another significant milestone for the great game of lacrosse. With the hometown Calgary Roughnecks squaring off against the Eastern Division champion Buffalo Bandits, a total of 19,289 tickets were sold to the National Lacrosse League Champion's Cup final. This is second only to the 19,409 recorded when the Toronto Rock hosted the Philadelphia Wings in the 2001 final at the Air Canada Centre.
The Roughnecks deserve credit not only for their on-floor performance, 10-6 during the regular season and a perfect 3-0 in the NLL playoffs, but for the excitement they have created in Calgary in support of professional indoor lacrosse. The 19,000 plus sell out at the Saddledome is nothing short of an inspiring accomplishment for anyone associated with lacrosse. It is a special achievement for Governor Brad Banister and his entire Roughnecks organization. It is another step forward for Commissioner Jim Jennings and the National Lacrosse League. It is a tribute to the product made possible by the world's best lacrosse players from Canada and the United States. It is a benchmark towards which all other NLL franchises -- including your Vancouver Ravens -- can strive in the years to come.
Perhaps most important, it is a call to action to all those associated with this great game -- coaches, administrators at the national, provincial and local levels, and lacrosse parents. Lacrosse stands to make significant strides in the years to come, particularly if all of those who truly care about this great game stand together and celebrate both its much-storied heritage (particularly in Canada as one of our country's official national sports) and its tremendous upside and potential for growth and development.
Working with our players and coaches, our media and broadcast partners, our corporate and community partners and with our fans (particularly our season ticket subscribers), your Ravens are proud to play a part in that growth and development. We are committed to "LacrosseLand BC" and to ensuring a dynamic future for lacrosse -- indoor/box and field, professional and amateur, minor and adult, club and school, men and women, boys and girls -- across Canada and throughout North America.
Thank you for your ongoing support of Ravens Lacrosse.
National Lacrosse League Stories from May 11, 2004
- Ravens update - Vancouver Ravens
- NLL Average Attendance Climbs Over 10,000 Mark - NLL
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.
