Grand Prairie, Texas -(June 25, 2007) Ventura Sports announces the Grand Prairie AirHogs as the name of the future American Association baseball team located in Grand Prairie, TX. The team will debut beginning in April 2008.
AirHogs was chosen because it complemented the stadium's aviation inspired architecture and the local aeronautical industry. Mark Schuster, Managing Parter of Ventura Sports Group, who made the announcement, said "In the same manner that Air Force Squadrons have unique recognizable nicknames, AirHogs will represent our team, organization and community."
The name AirHogs was submitted by Grand Prairie resident Mike Hasty during the "Name the Team" contest that was open to all residents of the Dallas Metroplex. Mike will receive two free season tickets for the 2008 baseball season and an on-field presentation on Opening Day.
The logo was designed by More Branding+Communication, a creative firm specializing in strategic brand consulting, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. More Branding's Principal Justin Johnson, says "We wanted to create a mark that was exciting and showed an immediate connection with the name. We also desired something that fans could have fun with." The final design was a stylized hog with wings and pilot goggles that implies forward-motion, flight and energy. More Branding also developed the design and look of the three AirHogs uniforms the team will use.
The team's future aeronautical themed stadium, currently under construction, is set for completion in early 2008. The ballpark will include 4,000 permanent seats, 12 luxury suites and lawn seats with unique amenities such as a progressive boardwalk surrounding the entire ball field. The stadium will also feature a Kids Zone play area, restaurants and a swimming pool overlooking the field. The stadium was designed by SPARKS Sports, a division of Crafton, Tull, Sparks & Associates, Inc. located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Contact: Shelley Bowersock, Manager Marketing/PR
SPARKS Sports, a division of Crafton, Tull, Sparks & Associates, Inc.
(918) 588-4026 / sbowersock@sparks-aei.com