Franklin Pierce Tips Off “Pierce Pride” Initiative with Men’s & Women’s Basketball Home Openers

Promotions and giveaways to be held throughout Wednesday's games

RINDGE, N.H. (November 17, 2008) - The Franklin Pierce University Athletics Department is proud to announce the start of its "Pierce Pride" initiative with an opening night celebration as the Ravens men's and women's basketball teams open their home schedule against the University of Massachusetts Lowell on Wednesday night (W: 5:30; M: 7:30 p.m.).

"Pierce Pride" is part of the NCAA Division II Game Environment Initiative, founded in part by Franklin Pierce University President Dr. George J. Hagerty during his tenure as Chair the Division II President's Council in 2004-2005. Game Environment is part of NCAA Division II's strategic positioning initiative, which also includes Community Engagement, to help create a positive family friendly venue for all spectators, student-athletes and officials.

More on the Division II Game Environment Initiative can be found at:
http://www.diicommunity.org/gameenvironment/index.aspx

Franklin Pierce was the first of 11 Northeast-10 Conference members to sign the "Division II Game Environment Pledge" affirming its participation in fostering a positive game environment at all home athletic events.

Wednesday's event, sponsored by the Franklin Pierce Office of Residential Life, marks the opening of a series of "Pierce Pride" events throughout the year. The campaign is designed not only to foster pride in and increase support of the athletics programs, but also to create a greater interest in all University co-curricular campus activities.

All fans are encouraged to wear white on Wednesday night as the Ravens look to "white out" the Fieldhouse. White "Pierce Pride" t-shirts will be available at the door for members of the Franklin Pierce community who sign a copy of the Division II Game Environment Pledge. Pom-poms will be given away at the door to the first 100 fans arriving for both the men's and women's games.

Wednesday will also mark the debut of the "Nest Seat in the House" promotion, which will provide one lucky Franklin Pierce student the opportunity to watch the remainder of the game from a comfortable location adjacent to the student section at each home game during the 2008-09 basketball season. The "Nest Seat in the House" winner will also receive a free pizza, courtesy of Pizza Haven of Rindge.

In addition to the festivities at the basketball doubleheader on Wednesday night, the University will be holding a pre-game turkey dinner, beginning at 4:30 p.m., in the Campus Center.

The Franklin Pierce women's basketball team (1-0, 0-0 NE-10) is ranked No. 4 in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II preseason poll. The Ravens got its season off to a flying start with a 73-43 victory over Queens (N.Y.) College on Saturday. The team is led by junior All-American and Great Britain International Johannah Leedham (Ellesmere Port, England/Cheshire Academy (Conn.)), the reigning State Farm/WBCA Division II Player of the Year.

The Franklin Pierce men's basketball team (2-0, 0-0 NE-10) opened its season over the weekend with a pair of non-conference victories at the Country Inn & Suites Tip-off Tournament, hosted by Saint Anselm College. Senior Rimas Varanauskas (Kaunas, Lithuania/The Winchendon School) and sophomore Jeff Manchester (Gorham, Maine/Gorham) were named to the All-Tournament team.