CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays have changed start times for all home games at the American Bank Center to 7:11 p.m. starting on Friday, Nov. 20 to help welcome a new partnership with 7-Eleven for the 2015-16 season, the team announced today. 7-Eleven becomes the title sponsor for Grades For Blades and re-introduces the Four-Goal Challenge during every home game.
“This partnership is a great opportunity for both the IceRays and 7-Eleven to continue community support within our area schools,” said Scott McClarren, IceRays Director of Special Events. “We encourage rewards for students who find success both within and outside the classroom, and 7-Eleven is helping to provide that chance along with the ability to reward our fans both within and outside the arena with the Four-Goal Challenge.”
Grades for Blades, presented by 7-Eleven, is a rewards program for local students started by the IceRays over a decade ago. The IceRays and 7-Eleven are partnering together to provide free tickets to local schools in the greater Corpus Christi area to give students incentives for both good grades as well as positive influences in their schools and communities. The IceRays host Grades for Blades Night two times in the 2015-16 season: Friday, Dec. 11 against the Amarillo Bulls and Friday, March 11 against the Wichita Falls Wildcats.
“7-Eleven stores are part of the neighborhood, and as such, we wanted to be good neighbors to the community that we serve,” 7-Eleven vice president, Doug Rosencrans said. “Investing in youth education initiatives like the IceRays Grades For Blades program lets us play a part in local kids’ success, and we can’t think of a better way to give back.”
In addition to the time change for home games, the Four-Goal Challenge also returns with a new look and a new incentive. When the IceRays score four goals at any home game during the 2015-16 season, fans will receive a free Big Gulp at any of the five 7-Eleven locations in Corpus Christi. Fans will receive a coupon at the end of the game that is redeemable for the free Big Gulp.
About 7-Eleven
7 Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7 Eleven operates, franchises or licenses some 10,700 7 Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, there are nearly 57,400 7 Eleven stores in 17 countries. 7 Eleven has been honored by a number of companies and organizations recently. Accolades include: #1 on Entrepreneur magazine’s 2014 Top Global Franchise list; #2 on Franchise Times Top 200 Franchise Companies for 2013; #10 spot on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list for 2015, and #3 in Forbes magazine’s Top 20 Franchises to Start. 7 Eleven is No. 3 on Fast Company magazine’s 2013 list of the “World’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Retail.” 7 Eleven places among Top Veteran-Friendly Companies for 2014 by U.S. Veterans Magazine and is among GI Jobs magazine’s Top 100 Military Friendly Employers for 2014. Hispanic Magazine named 7 Eleven among its Hispanic Corporate Top 100 Companies that provide the most opportunities to Hispanics. 7 Eleven is franchising its stores in the U.S. and expanding through organic growth, acquisitions and its Business Conversion Program. Find out more online at www.7 Eleven.com.
The IceRays hit the road on Friday, Oct. 30 for the first of a two-game set at 7:05 p.m. against the Wichita Falls Wildcats from the Kay Yeager Coliseum. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on SportsRadio Corpus Christi (KSIX 1230AM) & FASTHockey.com. Contact the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK or go to www.goicerays.com for details on season tickets along with pricing and seating. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Vine (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).
