MLL Players to Wear Camouflage Jerseys at July 8 All Star Game in Boston; Silent Auction for Uniforms to Commence at Event
June 27, 2007
Boston, Massachusetts - Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, and New Balance today announced a program to raise awareness and funds for the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), which is dedicated to bringing comfort and support to wounded servicemen and women and their families. New Balance will provide 40 limited-edition camouflage jerseys that will be worn by the MLL All Stars during their game July 8 at Harvard Stadium in Boston. Each jersey will be auctioned after the game with all proceeds benefiting WWP. New Balance will also match the donation amount raised by the auction.
For the first time in MLL's seven-year history, the game will feature All Stars from the Eastern Conference against their Western Conference counterparts. The Eastern Conference All Stars will wear jerseys with green camouflage while the Western Conference All Stars will wear sand camouflage. Each jersey will feature an American Flag with the All Star player's name and number and will be signed by the player after the game.
The silent auction for the 40 jerseys will begin at the game and continue on the MLL website (www.majorleaguelacrosse.com) through July 18. All funds raised will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project, which was inspired by former Army lacrosse player John Fernandez who had both legs, below the knee, amputated after injuries suffered in Iraq. Wounded Warrior Project offers services and programs like combat stress seminars, benefits counseling, adaptive sports opportunities and advocacy initiatives to aid in the transition from hospital bed to an independent productive life. Many of the injuries suffered during the war are amputations, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and severe burns that will retire these brave warriors from military service.
"We are proud to partner with New Balance to benefit this important cause," said David Gross, MLL Commissioner. "It is a great honor to support our troops by helping the Wounded Warrior Project in its ongoing efforts to assist those men and women of the United States armed forces who have been severely injured in conflicts abroad."
"This is a unique opportunity to recognize our armed forces and their many contributions," says Rob DeMartini, New Balance CEO. "We are excited to be able to honor them and support the work of the Wounded Warrior Project through our sponsorship of Major League Lacrosse."
"I believe 100% in Wounded Warrior Project because I saw what they did for me at my hospital bed, in my house and during numerous events since I lost both of my legs below the knee in Iraq," said Fernandez, who serves as the Director of Alumni and Outreach for the Wounded Warrior Project. "Since my injuries occurred, WWP has been there for me and I have seen them to do the same for thousands of other injured services members."
Tickets are on sale NOW and are available by phone at 888-847-9700 and online at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com. Tickets are affordably priced at $25 and $20 with group discounts available. Anyone with a military ID will have access to discounted tickets for the game.
About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a non-profit organization aimed at assisting those men and women of the United States armed forces who have been severely injured during the war on terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan and other hot spots around the world. Beginning at the bedside of the severely wounded, WWP provides programs and services designated to ease the burdens of these heroes and their families, aid in the recovery process and smooth the transition back to civilian life. For more information, please call (904) 296-7350 or visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
About Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse, a ten-team professional outdoor lacrosse league, was founded in 1999 by fitness entrepreneur Jake Steinfeld, CEO of Body by Jake Global L.L.C., and founding partners Dave Morrow, a former champion lacrosse player and now CEO of Warrior Lacrosse, a leading global provider of innovative and high performance lacrosse equipment; and Timothy B. Robertson, former CEO of The Family Channel and the current chairman of Bay Shore Enterprises, L.L.C., an investment holding company with activities in international media and Internet technology ventures. The MLL commenced play in June of 2001. The MLL is comprised of two conferences. The Eastern Conference contains the original six teams, Baltimore, Boston, Long Island, (Montclair) New Jersey, Philadelphia and Rochester. The Western Conference debuted in the 2006 season with MLL expansion franchises Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Additional league information can be found at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com.
About New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc.
New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA, is a privately-held leading manufacturer of technologically innovative width-sized performance footwear and athletic apparel for women, men, and children. The range of product categories includes running, walking, training, basketball, tennis, cleated and kids. New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. employs more than 2,800 people around the globe, and in 2006 reported worldwide sales of $1.55 billion. For more information please visit http://www.newbalance.com.
