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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2007
CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine:
724-738-4854
gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu
New Castle Thunder rumble into N. Kerr Thompson Stadium
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Quick. What’s the only university in Pennsylvania to host two professional sports teams? If you answered anything other than Slippery Rock University, well, sorry, thanks for playing.
Surprised? SRU earned that distinction when Paul Lueken, athletic director, signed an agreement with the New Castle Thunder of the North American Football League (NAFL), a minor league football organization, to make SRU and Bob DiSpirito Field at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium its home.
The Thunder, who played some home games on DiSpirito Field at Thompson Stadium last summer join the Slippery Rock Sliders, members of the independent Frontier Baseball League, in calling SRU home.
The Sliders penned a deal earlier this year to play 32 home games at SRU’s Jack Critchfield Park. The Sliders open their home season May 23.
The fact that two pro franchises have chosen SRU as their home “says a lot about our University and facilities and what we have to offer,” Lueken said. “The Thunder and Sliders will bring a lot of people to SRU and the Slippery Rock community, which gives us tremendous exposure, plus it helps our scholarship program and the local economy.”
The Thunder will hold practice sessions and play five regulars-season home games on the SRU campus, Lueken said. Home games are scheduled for June 16 and 30, July 14 and 28, and Aug. 4. The team may also play home playoff games on campus, Lueken said.
For New Castle Thunder information, go to: www.newcastlethunder.com
For Slippery Rock Slider information, go to: www.frontierleague.com
Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.
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