NEW YORK, April 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --New York's newest professional team, the Lizards of Major League Lacrosse, will open against the always-tough Boston Cannonsat the Lizards' home Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, Long Island, Sunday, before an eager crowd that will include football and lacrosse Hall of Famer Jim Brown, who is a co-owner of the Lizards. The team was purchased in 2012 by an investor group including Andrew Murstein, president of New York-based Medallion Financial Corp., one of the largest lenders to taxi medallion owners, and including team vice chairman Richard Mack, North American CEO of AREA Property Partners, and Jim Brown.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130426/NE02875)
Game time is 3:30 p.m. at Shuart which is on the campus of Hofstra University, 900 Fulton Avenue in Hempstead. The day will include a "Family Fun Day" carnival starting at noon. For tickets go to www.nylizards.com or call 1-855-NYLIZARDS.
A resident of Los Angeles, Brown grew up on Long Island and played high school lacrosse in Manhasset. He will dedicate a park Saturday in his home town. Brown is available for interviews beginning now thru the weekend and at the game. For information and interviews, contact Dave Closs at 212-447-9292 ext. 12 or dave@zlokower.com.
The Lizards are coming off a strong season in which they rebounded from a 0-2 record to end the season at 8-6 and make the playoffs.
The Lizards feature Long Island native and perennial all-star Max Seibald, as well as face-off specialist Greg "Beast" Gurenlian, and 2011 and 2012 Goalie of the Year Drew Adams. Recent trades have added David Earl and Steve Waldeck from theHamilton Nationals andMark Matthews from the Denver Outlaws.
Sunday the team will be minus the much-anticipated draftee Rob Pannell, believed to be the "LeBron James" of lacrosse. Pannell is expected to join the team in May following his graduation from Cornell.
Following the home opener, the Lizards' home games include Charlotte on May 31 at Hofstra, Chesapeake on June 6 on Randall's Island, New York City, and Hamilton on June 13, also on Randall's Island.
"We are very excited that Jim Brown, a legend in lacrosse and football, will join us for the Lizards' home opener," said Murstein. "We have repositioned the team as the New York Lizards and expect a great season this year, thanks to inspiration from leaders like Jim."
About the New York Lizards
The New York Lizards of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) was founded in 2001 as the Long Island Lizards, becoming one of the original six franchises. The team won the Steinfeld Cup in its inaugural season, 2001, as well as in 2003. The Lizards currently play home games at Hofstra University Shuart Stadium and at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island in New York City. Tickets forall the Lizards games can be purchased online at www.nylizards.com
About Jim Brown
Jim Brown played running back for the NFL Cleveland Browns from 1957 to 1965. At the end of his career he was named as the greatest professional football player of all time by The Sporting News. Brown was an outstanding athlete at Manhasset High School on Long Island in football, lacrosse, baseball, basketball and running track. At Syracuse University he had the unusual distinction in his senior year of making first team All-American in football and first-team All-American in lacrosse, where he scored 43 goals in 10 games to rank second in scoring nationally. After professional sports, Brown transitioned to a distinguished career in acting, and became notable for his social activism. He currently works with youth reform to reach their greatest potential on a national platform through the Amer-I-Can Foundation, a non-profit he founded in 1988.
About Medallion Financial
Medallion Financial Corp. is a specialty finance company with a leading position in the origination and servicing of loans financing the purchase of taxicab medallions and related assets. The Company also originates and services loans in other commercial industries, and its wholly-owned portfolio company, Medallion Bank, also originates and services consumer loans. The Company and its subsidiaries have invested over $5 billion in small businesses.
Contact: Dave Closs
office: 212-447-9292, ext. 12
cell: 201-406-0182
dave@zlokower.com
SOURCE Medallion Financial Corp.
