The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders today released a 2007-08 promotions schedule highlighted by an opening night appearance by members of the Minnesota Vikings cheerleading squad, the return of the Dale Earnhardt Jr. #8 car and a “Pink Game” to benefit St. Luke’s Hospital’s Spirit Fund.
Viking Cheerleaders will make their second appearance at the ice arena in as many years when they arrive to meet and greet fans at 2007 RoughRiders Opening Night on October 6. All fans attending the home opener against the Indiana Ice will receive free 2007-08 RoughRiders magnet schedules courtesy of St. Luke’s Iowa Health System, Velocity Sports Performance, Aspen Athletic, i wireless and AM 1360 The Fan. 2007 RoughRiders Opening Night is sponsored by 100.7 The Fox and Mix 96.5.
Community iniatives will take center stage at the Riders’ games on October 20 and 27. The Riders will meet the Des Moines Buccaneers in the “Pink Game” presented by St. Luke’s Hospital to benefit St. Luke’s Spirit Fund on October 20. The Spirit Fund provides financial assistance to women diagnosed with breast cancer. The fund provides assistance for non-medical services in support of breast cancer patients’ ongoing care. The RoughRiders’ goaltenders and the game officials will wear pink during the contest. Those jerseys, as well a number of autographed pink RoughRider replica jerseys will be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Spirit Fund. Pink ribbons will also be painted in the ice for that game.
October 27 will see the Riders take on the Lincoln Stars on Score for the Community Night. For Score for the Community Night participating RoughRiders corporate partners and other local businesses purchase blocks of tickets at a discounted rate that are then donated to a wide array of eastern Iowa charitable organizations. Among the groups benefiting are Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Iowa, the ARC of East Central Iowa, the Boys & Girls Club of Cedar Rapids, Waypoint and many others.
Fans will have their chance to get up close with the Dale Earnhardt Jr. #8 Bud Car on November 16, when the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets visit the ice arena.
The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and 94.1 KRNA Eastern Iowa’s Real Rock will team up to give three lucky fans the chance to strike it rich with the “$50,000 KRNA Cash Shot” during the first intermission of both the December 14 game between the RoughRiders and Green Bay Gamblers and the Riders’ March 29 match-up with the Omaha Lancers.
Younger fans will no doubt be particularly excited about the return appearances of SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Chuckie of The Rugrats and Jimmy Neutron. SpongeBob will make his eagerly anticipated return on January 5 when the Riders host Green Bay, Dora the Explorer makes her way to Cedar Rapids for the Riders’ February 16 game against Lincoln, Chuckie will illicit chuckles when he appears during the Riders’ March 14 game against the Sioux City Musketeers and Jimmy Neutron will join the fun when the Riders collide with the Tri-City Storm on March 22.
There will be more fun for the whole family on November 17 at the ice arena as the Riders host Mascot Night. Mascots from all over eastern Iowa will join the Riders’ mascot, Ricochet, for an evening of shenanigans as the Riders take on Tri-City.
The Riders will team up with the University of Iowa Ice Hawks for a pair of hockey double headers as the Hawkeye-Cyclone rivalry takes to the ice on December 8 and January 26. On December 8, the Iowa and Iowa State hockey teams will meet at 3:30PM, before the RoughRiders’ 7:05PM clash with the Waterloo Black Hawks. On January 26, a 3:30PM tilt between the Hawks and Cyclones will precede a 7:05PM match-up between the RoughRiders and Ohio.
Other highlights of the promotional schedule include:
• The Riders will host Faith and Fun Night on November 3, when they welcome local church and youth groups to their game against the Chicago Steel and a post game concert from Cedar Rapids-area band All But Screaming.
• Jumping Jack, everyone’s favorite roly, poly mascot, will return to the ice arena for a pair of games as the Riders collide with Omaha on November 9 and Ohio on November 10.
• Krazy George, the world’s most famous professional cheerleader, will bring his special brand of fun to the ice arena December 1 as the RoughRiders take on Green Bay.
• Immediately following the December 1 game, all fans in attendance will have the chance to skate with the RoughRiders.
• The Riders will host their fifth annual Bank of the West Teddy Bear Toss on December 8 when the Waterloo Black Hawks visits Cedar Rapids. Fans are encouraged to toss their stuffed animals onto the ice after the Riders score their first goal against the Black Hawks. The teddy bears will then be collected and donated to children in need just in time for Christmas.
• January 4 is Swiss Valley Farms Cowbell Night- the first 2,000 fans through the doors will receive a free RoughRiders cowbell courtesy of Swiss Valley Farms.
• The Riders will wear special edition Iowa Hawkeye jerseys during their game against the Sioux Falls Stampede on January 19. The game worn jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit the A.L.S. Association and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Iowa.
• Fans will be able to feel the force on Friday, February 22- Star Wars Night. Characters from the Star Wars movies will invade the ice arena during the Riders’ game against Indiana.
• After the Riders’ March 1 game against Chicago, season ticket holders will be able to take to the ice to skate with the team.
• The RoughRiders will close out their regular season home slate with Fan Appreciation Night on April 4. A fireworks display outside the ice arena will follow the Riders’ home finale against Indiana.