Wildfire Set to Play at County Center
January 31, 2003 - United States Basketball League (USBL)
Westchester Wildfire News Release
White Plains, NY, January 27, 2003 . . . Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano and Gary Lieberman, owner of the Westchester Wildfire, the newest team in the United States Basketball League (USBL), today announced the formation of the team and plans for the Wildfire to play its home games at the 3,000-seat Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY.
The first of 15 Wildfire home games will take place on Saturday, April 19, at 7:00 PM, against the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs, coached by NBA legend Darryl Dawkins. Tickets for the entire 2003 season are on sale now, and are available through Ticketmaster and at the County Center Box Office. A portion of every ticket sold will benefit the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital and new Regional Trauma Center at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY, currently under construction.
"We take great pride in bringing professional basketball to Westchester," said Wildfire team president and owner Lieberman. "This is an exceptional community, with a large population of savvy fans and thousands of families who welcome quality entertainment options. We intend to provide a family- and fan-friendly atmosphere that establishes an exceptional new entertainment opportunity for parents and kids alike, while satisfying basketball enthusiasts in search of quality games." He noted that home games will be played in a highly festive atmosphere, with a mascot, celebrity appearances, special promotions and more.
Mr. Spano and Mr. Lieberman signed a lease that secures a home at the County Center for the Wildfire for the 2003 season, which ends on June 21. The team will also play 15 road games, against teams based in locations such as Brooklyn and Glens Falls, NY; Florida; Kansas; Oklahoma; Texas; and Pennsylvania.
"I am very excited to welcome the Wildfire to Westchester and to add the team to the list of wonderful family entertainment activities available in this county,'' said Mr. Spano. "I have long been interested in bringing professional sports teams to Westchester, so I was very pleased when our Department of Economic Development was able to woo this team here to play at the Westchester County Center. I predict that the Wildfire will be a great success. It's the right idea at the right time.''
The team is currently interviewing coaching candidates and evaluating players, and plans to hold tryouts in Westchester and potentially other cities beginning in February. A USBL player draft will take place on April 8.
Mr. Lieberman is a successful hedge fund manager and CEO of Westside Advisors, an investment advisory firm. A former coach at Hopkins Academy in Massachusetts, he has a long history of devotion to basketball. He also was a Masters Maccabiah player in the Pan Am Games in Argentina (1995) and the World Games in Israel (1997), and served as chairman of the 1999 Pan Am Open Team in Mexico City. "The time is right to bring professional basketball to Westchester," said Mr. Lieberman. "Minor league sports are thriving throughout the nation, and in this environment people are searching for family entertainment that's reasonably priced. They'll find it at the County Center this spring."
Ticket Sales to Benefit Westchester Medical Center
The Wildfire will be dedicated to the Westchester community in several ways and has a special relationship with the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital and new Regional Trauma Center at Westchester Medical Center. The team will donate $1.00 to the Medical Center for each ticket sold for the entire 2003 season, and provide a host of opportunities to raise awareness and funds for this important institution.
Ticket and Sponsorship Information
General admission ticket prices are: $8.00 for students and kids 17 and under and seniors 60 and over, and $12.00 for adults. Affordable season ticket packages, mini-ticket plans, discounted group pricing and birthday packages are available, as are special VIP packages with courtside seating. For more information about ticket availability and pricing, visit www.westchesterwildfire.com or call 1-877-BURNITUP (1-877-287-6488). To purchase tickets, visit www.westchesterwildfire.com or
www.ticketmaster.com; call Ticketmaster at 845-454-3388; or visit the County Center Box Office at the intersection of Central Avenue and the Bronx River Parkway in White Plains, NY.
For companies interested in establishing a sponsorship or promotional relationship with the Westchester Wildfire, contact: David Sass at 1-877-BURNITUP.
USBL
The United States Basketball League, now in its 18th season, is headquartered in Milford, CT. More than 150 USBL alumni have played or coached in the National Basketball Association, including Charlie Ward, Anthony Mason, Chris Childs, Spud Webb, World B. Free, Manute Bol, Mark Strickland and Darrell Armstrong, and NBA coaches John Lucas and Eric Musselman.
Westchester County Center
"We're especially pleased to call the County Center home," said Mr. Lieberman. "Everything about this facility is attractive for families and the team. It has great sightlines, is a family-friendly environment, and it's convenient and safe. We're grateful to the County and Mr. Spano for welcoming us to this venue."
The 73-year-old County Center is the oldest and largest public assembly arena in Westchester. The Center hosts more than 2,000 entertainment, social, civic, cultural, recreational and athletic events annually.
County Parks Commissioner Joseph Stout said, "Throughout its history, the County Center has been recognized as the hub of basketball in Westchester. We are excited to add the USBL pro team to the long list of basketball events held here."
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United States Basketball League Stories from January 31, 2003
- Wildfire Set to Play at County Center - Westchester Wildfire
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