Thunder honors longtime Cubs fan
August 25, 2005 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Daytona Beach Thunder News Release
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - "Front Row Joe" has a streak of attending 711 consecutive Daytona Beach Cubs baseball games, and is going to try to match that with the Daytona Beach Thunder beginning in 2006.
Of course, with seven home games per year, it will take until 3008 for Front Row Joe to match his current 711 game Cubs attendance streak. That should be no problem, as the Thunder plans to be around a long time.
As part of their partnership with Daytona Beach's minor league baseball team, the Thunder also celebrated the 51st birthday of the Cubs' most ardent fan on Saturday, August 20 by throwing Front Row Joe a huge birthday party during the Cubs' 5-1 victory over the St. Lucie Mets. Thunder owners Zack McDonald, Kevin McDonald and Jay Burton, along with their families, accompanied Front Row Joe as he updated his streak on his sponsored billboard in the Cubs' outfield.
To celebrate the occasion, Thunder Vice President Jay Burton honored Front Row Joe with a personalized certificate honoring his achievement and birthday, and a Thunder season ticket good for any row in the Ocean Center. If the Cubs and Thunder are scheduled to play on the same night, transportation between Jackie Robinson Ballpark and the Ocean Center will be provided so he can attend both games.
With thousands of Cubs fans singing along, the Thunder even belted a killer version of "Happy Birthday" for Front Row Joe over the PA system. Shortly into the game, the Thunder served a monster cake with icing in both the Cubs (red and blue) and Thunder colors (black and gold) for Front Row Joe and his friends.
The Cubs and the Thunder are partnering on several marketing and promotion opportunities throughout the Daytona Beach area.
"We're excited about the opportunity to partner with one of the most outstanding organizations in minor league baseball," Thunder CEO Zack McDonald said. "The Thunder owners have been very impressed with the outstanding level of professionalism and sense of community demonstrated by the Cubs organization, and we certainly plan to continue that tradition."
The Daytona Beach Thunder takes to the field for its inaugural season in the Atlantic Indoor Football League beginning in the spring of 2006. Locally owned and operated by Zack McDonald, Kevin McDonald and Jay Burton, the Thunder is committed to providing first-class, family-oriented sports entertainment while serving its community in a professional manner.
For ticket, sponsorship and general information, contact the Thunder front office at (386) 788-2385 or send an e-mail to info@dbthunder.com.
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