May 25, 2004

Blue Ducks set to take on Wildfire

Wednesday’s 7PM contest features John Starks return to Brevard, FM Radio Night

Melbourne, Florida – It’s a far cry from the glamour of New York City and his days playing for the New York Knicks. But John Starks seems happy in his position as head coach of the USBL’s Westchester Wildfire.

Starks leads his Wildfire team into Brevard to take on the Blue Ducks in a 7PM contest Wednesday night at the Clemente Center at Florida Tech in Melbourne.

Though faring much better than the Ducks so far this year, this season has also been a far cry from last year’s 20-12 team, which finished in second place in the USBL’s eastern division. The Wildfire enter Wednesday night’s contest with a 7-11 record and are currently in fourth place.

Clean cut and baby-faced, Starks led his Knicks team to many successful play-off runs during his career in New York, his boyish looks not offering a glimpse of his fiery on-court demeanor. He’s hoping to instill that same fire within his players.

The Blue Ducks will counter with their own baby-faced, clean cut, but fiery player as former Gator Teddy Dupay continues his comeback as Brevard’s point guard.

Dupay showed the kind of intensity he became famous for at the University of Florida by continually driving to the basket and diving for loose balls in Sunday’s loss to Brooklyn. He finished with 17 points in only his second game as a Duck.

Another intense, high-energy player, streetballer legend Randy “White Chocolate” Gill will be suiting up again for the Ducks as well.

“I tell you,” said Blue Ducks head coach, Robert Reid. “It’s got to be a lot of fun for our fans to come down to the Clemente Center and see John Starks, Teddy Dupay and White Chocolate all in the same place.”

Reid is just as much a celebrity himself, having played 14 years in the NBA, primarily with the Houston Rockets alongside such players as Moses Malone and Hakeem Olajuwan.

“We have not been winning as much as we’d like,” remarked Duck owner, Mike Richman. “That much is obvious. But our fans do have fun coming down to the games. The get to see a lot of famous stars, up-and-coming young basketball players, a great game and they usually leave with some sort of promotional item and memories of a great night.”

Following Wednesday’s game, Brevard will take on Westchester again on Friday (28th), followed by Memorial weekend contests Saturday (29th) against the Kansas Cagerz and Sunday (30th) against the Cedar Rapids River Raiders. Sunday’s contest will have a 5:00 PM start.

The Blue Ducks recently began their third year of USBL action. The USBL is in its 19th season and has sent over 140 players on to the NBA. Stars such as Avery Johnson, Anthony Mason, Chris Childs, Charlie Ward and former Orlando Magic player, Darrell Armstrong all came from the USBL.

For more information or for tickets, call 751-BLUE (2583) or log onto the Blue Ducks website at www.BrevardBlueDucks.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Clemente Center box office starting an hour before each game.

DUCK NOTES: The Ducks traded Nat Burton to Oklahoma for two first-round draft picks in 2005. Guard Tony Harris was given his unconditional release by the team yesterday.

HOMESTAND GAME PROMOTIONS:

Wednesday – May 26th vs. Westchester Wildfire @ 7PM – Complete Business Solutions FM Radio Night – First 250 kids get a FREE FM “Walkman” style personal stereo.

FEATURING: Return of former New York Knick, John Starks to Brevard

Friday – May 28th vs. Westchester Wildfire @ 7PM - Cumulus Night. Meet WA1A DJ’s Adam and Jai.

FEATURING: John Starks last visit to Brevard this year.

Saturday – May 29th vs. Kansas Cagerz @ 7PM - Complete Business Solutions Thunderstix Night - First 250 kids get a FREE pair of Brevard Blue Ducks collectable Thunderstix.

FEATURING: Cagerz only visit to Brevard this year

Sunday – May 30th vs. Cedar Rapids River Raiders @ 5PM - Orlando Magic Night. The team will be giving away FREE Orlando Magic items, including 100 Tracy McGrady baseball bats to the first kids to arrive.

FEATURING: Raiders only visit to Brevard this year. SCCU Super Sunday. Half-price admission with SCCU coupons.

©2001 Brevard County Sports Management Group. All rights reserved. No portion of this site may be duplicated or redistributed without express permission.