CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays will honor local members of the military and first responders this Saturday night when they host the 9th annual Stars & Stripes Night, presented by Whataburger and First Title Company, against the Lone Star Brahmas at 7:05 p.m. from the American Bank Center.
The event began during the 2008-09 season in large part due to Brent Chesney, CEO of First Title Company, and IceRays General Manager Pat Dunn teaming up with a desire to honor those that protect the Coastal Bend community and beyond. Along with Whataburger, all three organizations have teamed together to organize and support the theme night and its message. Since the event’s inception, it is one of the most popular games to date with an average of over 5,000 fans over the last eight seasons and over 6,000 fans in each of the last two seasons. On Feb. 7, 2015, the IceRays set a junior franchise attendance record with 6,965 fans during the Stars & Stripes Night.
“Stars and Stripes Night event comes as one of my favorite games during the season,” said Dunn. “It’s certainly one of the best attended games of the year, but it also has a lot a preparation to it with our players visiting the Corpus Christi Army Depot and all the other visits that we do leading into that game. It’s also become somewhat of a tradition with the two major sponsors, Whataburger and First Title Company, who have been there since the start of the Stars and Stripes game. It’s always a pleasure to work with Jeff Altman and Brent Chesney. Having said all of that, it’s a small price to pay, and it’s a way for us to reward the people that keep us safe.”
Saturday’s event holds a new found meaning for the IceRays organization with two players prepared to join military academies following this season. Defenseman Cody Fleckenstein and forward Mason Krueger are slated to attend Army West Point following the 2016-17 season on NCAA Division I commitments. The IceRays will be wearing military-themed jerseys throughout the weekend, and that serves as a reminder for both Fleckenstein and Krueger for what’s to come in their futures and the men and women who help to serve the Corpus Christi community on a daily basis.
“Every day, you have to be thankful when you see a veteran or someone in your uniform,” said Fleckenstein. “That’s just your civic duty. To be able to wear that jersey on Saturday is going to be an unbelievable feeling. I know it’s going to mean a lot more to me than it will most games. It’s just a big reminder of what’s coming next year.”
“This night is really special,” said Krueger, who signed his commitment in October. “Without those men and women, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do on a daily basis, especially in the Corpus Christi community here. Having them come out to our game on Saturday means a lot, and we just want to get a win for them.”
The IceRays have distributed free ticket vouchers to all first responders, law enforcement officials and military members around the area as a show of thanks for their constant protection and service to Corpus Christi, Nueces County, surrounding counties and cities, and the United States of America. All members of the military both past and present can show their military I.D. at the American Bank Center Box Office to receive free entry into the game.
The military-themed jerseys the IceRays will wear on both Friday and Saturday night will be available to the public for bidding in the Eddie Jackson, New York Life Post-Game Jersey Auction immediately following Saturday’s game in Section 112. The IceRays will also be hosting a post-game skate with the IceRays, presented by Braselton Homes, right after Friday’s and Saturday’s games.
Stars & Stripes Night is also a Corpus Christi Caller-Times Family 4-Pack Night. Fans can purchase four tickets and receive four hot dogs and four sodas for just $48 by using the promo code “CALLER.” For more information on the evening’s proceedings, contact the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK. Tickets are available for this weekend’s games at www.Ticketmaster.com and the American Bank Center Box Office.
About Whataburger
Whataburger has focused on its fresh, made-to-order burgers and friendly customer service since 1950 when Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger as a small roadside burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. Dobson gave his restaurant a name he hoped to hear customers say every time they took a bite of his made-to-order burgers: “What a burger!” Within the first week, people lined up around the block for his 25 cent, 100 percent beef burgers served on five-inch buns. Today, the company is headquartered in San Antonio with more than 770 locations in 10 states with sales of more than $1 billion annually. Visit www.whataburger.com for more information on the company or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/whataburger.
About First Title Company
First Title Company is a locally owned company that has served the Coastal Bend for over 50 years. The company has had different names (CC Title, First American Title) but through out has always been consistent in providing the best customer service in the industry. With faces of experience that provide more experience than any other title company in the Coastal Bend, First Title Company appreciates and works hard for your business. For more information, visit www.firsttitlecompany.com or check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/First.Title.Company.
The IceRays return to the American Bank Center on Friday, Nov. 18 at 7:05 p.m. to continue their season series with the Lone Star Brahmas. Season memberships for the 2016-17 season are still available with full and partial season plans. Reserve yours by contacting the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Snapchat (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).
