Rayz and CHRISTUS Spohn Announce Agreement

October 15, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


Corpus Christi, Texas: October 15, 2003 – The Corpus Christi Rayz hockey team and CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital are pleased to report that they have agreed to a partnership that makes CHRISTUS Spohn the official health care provider for the Corpus Christi Rayz for the 2003-04 season. Rayz General Manager/Senior Vice President Pat Dunn and Kathryn McDonagh, CEO of CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital, reached an agreement that will take the premier sports franchise in South Texas and the most well known health center in the Coastal Bend in a partnership that will help both organizations flourish in the years to come.

"Partnering with professional athletes such as the Rayz helps to support CHRISTUS Spohn's initiative to build healthier communities," said McDonagh. Dunn agreed that this partnership yielded a stronger health community for all of Corpus Christi and surrounding areas.

"To be involved with CHRISTUS Spohn means so much for our organization and for the community," said Dunn. "With their first class treatment, facilities and organization, we can feel comfortable about how the players will be taken care of, over the course of a rigorous 64-game schedule."

Last season, the Rayz missed the playoffs by only two points, in large part due to the number of injuries they faced over the course of the season. With this new partnership, the Rayz will have access to the highest quality of medical supervision and health care knowledge available. Rayz owner Doug Frank understands exactly what this means to the team.

"This partnership is a historic agreement not only in Corpus Christi, but in the entire Central Hockey League," said Frank. "It addressed one of the biggest concern of a sports franchise, and that is the health and well being of our players."

In the Rayz, CHRISTUS Spohn Health System gains a partner that that is anxious to contribute to their extensive healthcare and outreach mission with the Coastal Bend community. The partnership will mean that the Rayz – the areas most popular sports symbol – will take an active role in the charity work and the care that CHRISTUS Spohn provides to its community. Rayz players, dancers and the mascot will appear several times throughout the season at CHRISTUS Spohn to help promote some of their programs which involve the community interacting with children and patients who are less fortunate.

This was not something that fell into Doug Frank's lap either. This was something he had to work and plan for quite some time.

"When we first took control of the team in Corpus Christi, I was determined that we form a working relationship with CHRISTUS Spohn," said Frank. "They are the leading health care provider in South Texas."

Between the health care benefits that the Rayz will receive from the premier service in the area, and the public outreach CHRISTUS Spohn will receive from the Rayz, this is truly a partnership in which everyone benefits. This season will mark the first in what is sure to be a lengthy partnership between two of the elite organizations in South Texas.

The Corpus Christi Rayz drop the puck on the 2003-04 Central Hockey League season tomorrow, October 16, when they host the New Mexico Scorpions. Season tickets and group packages are currently available. For more information, please contact the Rayz office at (361) 814-PUCK or check out the Rayz online at www.ccrayz.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from October 15, 2003


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.

OurSports Central