Henderson, Shannon to serve as co-chairs of the CIS University Cup

Photo Credit to Rob Blanchard, UNB Media Services.- left to right - Co-Chair Roger Shannon; Kevin Dickie, UNB Director of Athletics; Lloyd Henderson, Co-Chair

FREDERICTON, NB – At a media conference held earlier today the University of New Brunswick made several announcements in regards to the 2011 and 2012 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Men’s Hockey championships being held at the Aitken University Centre on the Fredericton Campus.
 
Athletic Director Kevin Dickie made the first announcement confirming that Lloyd Henderson and Roger Shannon will serve as co-chairs for the 2011 and 2012 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Men’s Hockey Championships – the University Cup.
 
“We are delighted that Lloyd and Roger have agreed to provide their leadership by co-chairing this event,” said Mr. Dickie. “Roger chaired the event in 2003 and 2004, and Lloyd was an invaluable member of the Steering Committee. They have the knowledge and the desire to make the 2011 and 2012 championship the best it can be. I have enjoyed my association with both of them over the years, and sincerely appreciate their passion for our Varsity Reds Program.”
 
Mr. Shannon has worked for the City of Fredericton for the past 20 years and is currently the Manager of the 911 Communications Division.  For the 2011 and 2012 championships he will concentrate on the area of “hockey operations” for which he is well qualified as Roger is also the General Manager of the Lewiston Maineiacs of the QMJHL, as well as our own UNB Varsity Reds.
 
“I am excited to have been asked once again to Chair the Nationals here in our home rink.  It’s hard to believe where the time goes and that we are doing it all again,” said Shannon.  “The City of Fredericton is so fortunate to have the Championship back for two more years.  All of the direct and indirect spin-off is well deserved by our business community, and it gives us the opportunity to show the warm hospitality and energy Fredericton exudes.  I I know the citizens of Fredericton and the UNB community will do our City proud; as always.”
 
Mr. Henderson, Executive Director of UNB’s College of Extended Learning added, “UNB will be celebrating its 225th Anniversary in 2011 and we are looking forward to being a big part of that celebration. Then, in 2012 the CIS will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the University Cup – so what better way to mark both of these occasions than with a hockey celebration at the Aitken Centre.”
 
Immediately following the announcement of the co-chairs, Henderson announced Cavendish Farms as the Title Sponsor for the 2011 and 2012 University Cup.  Greg Fash, Marketing Vice President for Cavendish Farms commented, “We’re very, very proud to be associated with student-athletes and we’re very proud to be associated with one of the truly great sports products in this country, CIS Hockey.  The experience and the track record of this group is outstanding; and finally the people of Fredericton have always shown great support for this championship and sports in general and particularly for hockey and the UNB team and the program here at UNB. 
 
Cavendish Farms first partnered with UNB for the 2003 University Cup event held at the Aitken Centre and have continued as a corporate partner of the Varsity Reds since that time and is excited about continuing this partnership.  “We know it’s going to be a success, the championship is in great hands and we look forward to being here in Fredericton,”
 
Another long time Varsity Reds partner, The Home Depot, was announced as the Presenting Sponsor for the University Cup.  For the next two years the event will be known as the Cavendish University Cup - Presented by The Home Depot.  “We have a phenomenal partnership with UNB and we both reap the benefits.  Being able to sponsor something of this magnitude is awesome.  We are really excited about being the presenting sponsor,” said Glen Treadaway, Store Manager of The Home Depot in Fredericton.
 
Both of these partners have been incorporated into the event logo which was also unveiled today (attached).  Cory Pacione of Creative Juices worked with Henderson to create the logo and has worked with the Varsity Reds on other projects such as the UNB bus design and the Varsity Reds logo development.
 
The final announcement came around the ticketing strategy of the Varsity Reds All Sport season passes and University Cup ticket packages going on sale in three phases over the next couple of months.
Phase one will honor returning season pass holders - they will get first crack at purchasing a ticket package along with renewing their season pass from June 1-15; the second phase will allow other Varsity Reds fans to take advantage of this incredible season pass and University Cup ticket package; and in the final phase beginning July 15th, the general public will be able to purchase the ticket package for the University Cup only. Complete details of these packages are available on line at http://vreds.unb.ca
 
No UNB hockey media conference would be complete without some words from CIS Coach of the Year, Gardiner MacDougall. “It’s a real honor and privilege to be the host of the CIS men’s hockey championships.  If you look 2003 and 2004 when we hosted we didn’t get the ultimate result but the journey was tremendous and now we have a second chance at it.  We’re excited about the opportunity and we know it’s going to be a great challenge; it’s going to be one of those significant moments for UNB hockey.
 
Source:

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