Rod Hullaby has been named the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders’ new equipment manager, the RoughRiders announced today.

Hullaby, 38, joins the Riders after spending the last 16 years in the airline industry.

“I am very excited to be joining a first class organization like the RoughRiders. When the opportunity was presented to me I did not hesitate in accepting this position,” said Hullaby. “I know that Steve Castelletti has set a high standard for the position and I am looking forward to the challenge of continuing that tradition."

Hullaby replaces Castelletti after the latter left the RoughRiders last month to take the equipment manager’s position with the University of Wisconsin hockey team.

“I’m looking forward to working with Rod,” said RoughRiders Coach and General Manager Mark Carlson. “He brings a great passion to the position and to the game.”

Hullaby is a graduate of Florissant Valley Community College in Florissant, Missouri. He and his wife Jan have two children, Dylan, 4, and Gabriella, 2.

The two-time defending East Division champion RoughRiders will open their eighth season in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, October 7 at home against the Green Bay Gamblers. 2006-07 season tickets are currently available through the RoughRiders’ business office (247-0340). In addition to the same great seats for every exciting RoughRider home game, season ticket holders also receive a host of special benefits available exclusively to them.

Regular season single game tickets will go on sale Monday, September 25.