The Carolina RailHawks, in conjunction with Summit Hospitality Group, announced the Summit Hospitality Community Service Award at the team’s press luncheon Thursday.
Summit Hospitality will recognize three RailHawks’ players for their community service efforts during the course of the 2011 season. The winners will receive a guest suite for two nights at the Homewood Suites Pinehurst, two rounds of golf at the Legacy Golf Course and Whispering Pines, lunch for two at Thai Basil and Dugan’s, and dinner for two a Nina’s and The Barn
“In talking with Curt Johnson and Pete Sciandra to understand the beliefs of the new RailHawks ownership, we wanted to maintain that relationship,” said Ian Sauer, vice president of Summit Hospitality Group. Because of that, it was important to reach out, share our cause and the culture created by Summit. We wanted to participate with the RailHawks to set a standard of service to their community.”
On the heels of setting a single-day tickets sales record …
RailHawks President Curt Johnson also announced a new partnership with Progress Energy. Progress Energy has pledged to match any group tickets purchased by Triangle non-profit organization. For example, if a group wants to purchase 100 tickets, Progress Energy will pay for 50 of them.
“We thank Progress Energy for that pledge of support for the RailHawks and the community’s non-profit organizations,” Johnson said.
RailHawks players, coaches and front office personnel were joined at the Hilton Garden Inn Durham Southpoint by Summit Hospitality employees, representatives from Triangle soccer clubs and members of the media to highlight the start of the RailHawks’ NASL season opener. Carolina kicks off the season on Saturday at WakeMed Soccer Park at 7 p.m. against reigning league champion Puerto Rico.
Carolina coach Martin Rennie and Puerto Rico coach Colin Clarke were both on hand as well to talk about Saturday’s meeting between the two championship finalists in 2010.
Both shared similar sentiments of excitement about the start of another season.
“Everyone wants to know how good are the RailHawks going to be,” Rennie said. “Ultimately, we have a lot of talent on our team this year, perhaps more than we ever had. I think Saturday night is a big game for the RailHawks. Under new ownership, with Curt at the the helm, I’ve seen so many good things for this organization. I believe we’ll do more good things, I believe the club can become a much stronger organization. That’s exciting for me as the coach and our players.”
Said Clarke: “The offseason’s too long. We get bored, restless and we want to get back playing. I’m not going to give you any quotes to wind you up. We had a very successful the time we were last here. We’ve got some other reasons to look forward to. We’ve got some players we know here well. That always adds a bit of spice, and everyone’s looking to get off to fast start.”
Clark also commented on his excitement for the start of the NASL.
“The owners need thanks,” Clarke said. “They made this possible and made this happen,” Clarke said. “It’s big that now we’ve got proper Division 2 soccer in the U.S. There’s exciting times ahead. It’s our responsibility as players and teams to put a product on the field we can be proud of so the game continues to grow. With that said, I’m looking forward to the game Saturday night. I know it’s going to be a great game.”
The Carolina RailHawks, in conjunction with Summit Hospitality Group, announced the Summit Hospitality Community Service Award at the team’s press luncheon Thursday.
Summit Hospitality will recognize three RailHawks’ players for their community service efforts during the course of the 2011 season. The winners will receive a guest suite for two nights at the Homewood Suites Pinehurst, two rounds of golf at the Legacy Golf Course and Whispering Pines, lunch for two at Thai Basil and Dugan’s, and dinner for two a Nina’s and The Barn
“In talking with Curt Johnson and Pete Sciandra to understand the beliefs of the new RailHawks ownership, we wanted to maintain that relationship,” said Ian Sauer, vice president of Summit Hospitality Group. Because of that, it was important to reach out, share our cause and the culture created by Summit. We wanted to participate with the RailHawks to set a standard of service to their community.”
On the heels of setting a single-day tickets sales record …
RailHawks President Curt Johnson also announced a new partnership with Progress Energy. Progress Energy has pledged to match any group tickets purchased by Triangle non-profit organization. For example, if a group wants to purchase 100 tickets, Progress Energy will pay for 50 of them.
“We thank Progress Energy for that pledge of support for the RailHawks and the community’s non-profit organizations,” Johnson said.
RailHawks players, coaches and front office personnel were joined at the Hilton Garden Inn Durham Southpoint by Summit Hospitality employees, representatives from Triangle soccer clubs and members of the media to highlight the start of the RailHawks’ NASL season opener. Carolina kicks off the season on Saturday at WakeMed Soccer Park at 7 p.m. against reigning league champion Puerto Rico.
Carolina coach Martin Rennie and Puerto Rico coach Colin Clarke were both on hand as well to talk about Saturday’s meeting between the two championship finalists in 2010.
Both shared similar sentiments of excitement about the start of another season.
“Everyone wants to know how good are the RailHawks going to be,” Rennie said. “Ultimately, we have a lot of talent on our team this year, perhaps more than we ever had. I think Saturday night is a big game for the RailHawks. Under new ownership, with Curt at the the helm, I’ve seen so many good things for this organization. I believe we’ll do more good things, I believe the club can become a much stronger organization. That’s exciting for me as the coach and our players.”
Said Clarke: “The offseason’s too long. We get bored, restless and we want to get back playing. I’m not going to give you any quotes to wind you up. We had a very successful the time we were last here. We’ve got some other reasons to look forward to. We’ve got some players we know here well. That always adds a bit of spice, and everyone’s looking to get off to fast start.”
Clark also commented on his excitement for the start of the NASL.
“The owners need thanks,” Clarke said. “They made this possible and made this happen,” Clarke said. “It’s big that now we’ve got proper Division 2 soccer in the U.S. There’s exciting times ahead. It’s our responsibility as players and teams to put a product on the field we can be proud of so the game continues to grow. With that said, I’m looking forward to the game Saturday night. I know it’s going to be a great game.”
