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Simmons Rejoins Mallards as Executive Vice President

December 15, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Quad City Mallards News Release


MOLINE, Ill. (December 15, 2011) - The Quad City Mallards of the "AA" Central Hockey League today announced Ryan Simmons has been named the Mallards' executive vice president.

Simmons returns to the Mallards, for whom he acted as vice president of ticketing and business development from 2009 to 2010, after spending the last year-plus with the Arena Football League's Chicago Rush. Simmons had most recently served as the Rush's executive vice president, a role in which he was responsible for managing the organization's business staff and marketing activities.

"I'm excited to have the chance to return to the Mallards and to work for this ownership group. Likewise, I'm also very excited to return to the Quad Cities as an active member of this community," said Simmons. "I'm looking forward to leading the Mallards' staff and building on the some of the early successes of this season; at the same time I believe there's a lot of opportunity to grow the Mallards' fan base through creative marketing and by engaging fans and helping create new memories for those who attend Mallards games."

Simmons, who attended United Township High School and Western Illinois University, has deep roots in the Quad Cities community. He also brings to the Flock a proven track record of success as a sports ticket sales management professional for not only the Rush and Mallards but also AF2's Quad City Steamwheelers. Simmons last season used innovative ticket strategies and marketing practices to more than double the Rush's group ticket revenue and ticket package revenue while helping propel the team to a significant paid attendance increase over the season prior to his arrival.

Under Simmons's direction, the Rush last season drew their largest single game home crowd since 2008. Simmons first joined the Rush in 2007, when, as an account executive, he contributed to a season that saw the team sell out six games and reach 99 percent of attendance capacity while earning the AFL's 2008 Commissioner's Award as the league's organization of the year.

In addition, the Mallards in 2009- during Simmons's first stint with the club- welcomed their largest single game crowd since 2003. With Simmons heading up ticket sales and marketing efforts, the Mallards in 2009-10 increased attendance by 30 percent over the previous hockey season in the Quad Cities. The Mallards were also named the International Hockey League's 2009-10 Organization of the Year.

"As an ownership group with experience in turnaround situations, we know how imprortant it is to quickly identify weaknesses and attempt to turn them into strengths. In Ryan, we have an executive who has proven he can make a significant impact in attendance. We're delighted to have him join our young but talented staff in the Quad Cities," said Jon Pritchett, CEO of CLUB 9 SPORTS, the Mallards' ownership group. "It is especially nice to have someone who truly understands the uniqueness of the Quad City market, too. With executives like David Bell and Brad Hoffman already in place, we think Ryan is a perfect complement to our organization and we're excited to have him join us in a senior leadership role."

Just prior to first joining the Mallards, Simmons spearheaded the Steamwheelers' business development efforts- overseeing significant growth in group ticket sales- while also directing the team's community outreach programs. Among the community efforts Simmons coordinated for the Steamwheelers were events that increased the team's exposure among teenagers and high schoolers, including the "Quad City High Tug of Pride" competition.

Introducing new fans to the fun and excitement of Mallards hockey via group ticket sales- an area in which he has enjoyed repeated success throughout his career in sports management- will again be one of Simmons's main areas of focus with the Mallards. Simmons's considerable experience in the Quad Cities market- not only with the Mallards and Steamwheelers but also, prior to that, as an intern and photo journalist at KWQC TV-6, has provided him with an understanding of the area and its unique character that will no doubt prove to be another valuable asset in his role with the Flock.

The Mallards, who tomorrow night visit the Missouri Mavericks, next play on home ice Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Mavericks.

Single game tickets for all Mallards regular season home contests- including Saturday's game- are now available. Fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 or tickets@myqcmallards.com for more information about tickets.

Single game tickets are also available at the i wireless Center box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, through www.ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free. The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period. Individual game tickets are available for $12 in the upper level and $17 in the lower level and $25 for the first row along the glass for adults. Tickets for kids 12 and under are available for $5 off adult rates. In addition, tickets are available to military personnel for $2 off the regular adult rate.

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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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