July 14, 2008

BALTIMORE, July 14 -- Bob Carpenter, Publisher of Inside Lacrosse, announced today plans for two college lacrosse events: the third annual Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic and the inaugural Day of Rivals. Both events will take place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic will be played on February 28, 2009; Day of Rivals is scheduled for April 11, 2009.

Inside Lacrosse is expanding its event offerings by launching the Day of Rivals. It will feature the 87th Army-Navy game and the 105th Maryland-Johns Hopkins game. For years, scheduling quirks kept Army-Navy and Maryland-Johns Hopkins on different days; dating from 1981, the teams met on the same day in the same state just once (2007). These rivalries receive the most consistent fan support in college lacrosse.

And now, they will share the same stage in 2009 and 2010. All four programs (Army, Johns Hopkins, Maryland, and Navy) have entered into a two-year commitment to participate in the Day of Rivals.

"To say the Hopkins lacrosse family is excited about playing Maryland at M&T Bank Stadium and being part of a doubleheader with Army and Navy would be an understatement. The Hopkins-Maryland game is the oldest rivalry our sport has to offer. Add to that two of the most honorable institutions in our country (Army/Navy) and I think this doubleheader brings together what is best about college lacrosse. It's a can't-miss event." Dave Pietramala

Meantime, the Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic signals the start of the lacrosse season for the game's growing fan base. And this year, it does so with a new matchup -- Duke vs Maryland -- to combine with Johns Hopkins vs Princeton. In its first two years, the Face-Off Classic attracted crowds of 20,180 (2007) and 19,165 (2008). Johns Hopkins and Princeton are locked in for the 2010 Face-Off Classic; the Duke-Maryland game is currently a one-year arrangement with the second year still to be determined.

"Inside Lacrosse is committed to adding more college lacrosse events that will re-create the energy and excitement that currently only exists at the Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic and the Final Four," Carpenter said. "To go with the Face-Off Classic in 2009, we could think of no better choice than to pair the Army-Navy game with what is the most time-tested and well-attended rivalry in college lacrosse history: Johns Hopkins vs Maryland.

"Maryland vs Hopkins is a headliner in itself. But first and foremost, the idea behind this event is for it to be a day embodied by military homage and celebration, with all four teams involved. The timing for an event celebrating our Armed Forces is as pertinent as ever, and there will soon be more follow-up regarding the military fanfare and ceremonies that will take place on game day."

Inside Lacrosse intends on attracting greater national interest for the sport by placing the spotlight directly on these events. Army, Duke, Maryland and Navy join the initial Face-Off Classic teams -- Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Syracuse and Virginia -- as programs that will share in the experience of playing in an Inside Lacrosse event.

Carpenter added: "Inside Lacrosse is proud to bring these two events to fans and we are continually exploring opportunities for similar events. In our minds, attending events such as these, more than anything, is what keeps a young player banging that ball against the wall through the offseason.

"We could not possibly organize these events without the coaches and administrators at each of the participating schools sharing in our vision. We greatly appreciate their support and mutual interest in promoting the sport. And once again, the Baltimore Ravens have stepped up as a willing partner ready to open their stadium to host lacrosse fans for these signature events."

"The Ravens and Inside Lacrosse share a vision for presenting this sport and we are pleased to continue our partnership for the next two years," commented Mark Burdett, Vice President for Corporate Partnerships and Media Sales for the Baltimore Ravens. "It is an exciting opportunity for Baltimore to host two such unique lacrosse events. The Face-Off Classic has proven to be a great celebration to start the season. The Ravens take added pride in being part of a midseason showcase that will bring together the great traditions of Army-Navy and Johns Hopkins-Maryland. In 2009 and 2010, M&T Bank Stadium will be the home for some of the most memorable experiences in lacrosse."

Information regarding ticket purchases and game times for both events will be announced at a later date. Go online to InsideLacrosse.com get all of the latest news on the Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic, the Day of Rivals and everything happening in the lacrosse world.

Quotes from the Head Coaches participating in the Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic and Day of Rivals events:

Joe Alberici (Army Head Coach)
"We are ecstatic to bring the greatest rivalry in lacrosse to a big-time stage at M&T Bank Stadium. This will provide an outstanding experience for our players, alumni and everyone connected to Army lacrosse. To share that stage with another great rivalry game in Johns Hopkins-Maryland adds to the excitement for all of the participants and fans.
"We are also pleased to be involved with Inside Lacrosse and the Baltimore Ravens in planning this event. With their combined experience we are confident that everything will come together in the manner that these two rivalries deserve."

Dave Cottle (Maryland Head Coach)
"This is an exciting opportunity for the Maryland men's lacrosse program and its fans and we're thrilled to be a part of both events. It's not only an opportunity to play two quality opponents, but it is an opportunity to take part in what will prove to be two great lacrosse events. Duke and Johns Hopkins are two tremendous teams, two great rivals of ours, and to have the chance to play them in M&T Bank Stadium is special."

John Danowski (Duke Head Coach)
"The Maryland game is always a special game on our schedule. The Face-Off Classic makes it even more exciting for Duke to play what was already a special game. If we played against Maryland in a parking lot somewhere it would be intense. Playing this game in the Face-Off Classic makes it spectacular."

Richie Meade (Navy Head Coach)
"We're excited about playing the Army-Navy game at M&T Bank Stadium next spring. This is an opportunity to showcase one of college sports' most storied rivalries, the Army-Navy game, to an even greater national audience by taking part in an event that offers two fantastic games in Army-Navy and Johns Hopkins-Maryland. In following the model of the Army-Navy football game by playing at an NFL stadium, it shows the growth of the game of lacrosse. This will be a great day of lacrosse and we are proud to be a part of it."

Dave Pietramala (Johns Hopkins Head Coach)
"The Face-Off Classic has been outstanding. From the national exposure it provides our program to the playoff atmosphere it creates for fans and players alike, one can't help but anticipate this tremendous event. Johns Hopkins is thrilled to again take part in what has become one of our sport's premier events."
"To say the Hopkins lacrosse family is excited about playing Maryland at M&T Bank Stadium and being part of a doubleheader with Army and Navy would be an understatement. The Hopkins-Maryland game is the oldest rivalry our sport has to offer. Add to that two of the most honorable institutions in our country (Army/Navy) and I think this doubleheader brings together what is best about college lacrosse. It's a can't-miss event."

Bill Tierney (Princeton Head Coach)
"We look forward to once again kicking off our season at the Face-Off Classic at M&T Bank Stadium. The Princeton players enjoy the professional atmosphere that surrounds this game and look forward to competing with Johns Hopkins in front of record-breaking, regular season crowds. We expect 2009 to be a very exciting season for us, and there is no better way to build on that emotion than to participate in the Face-Off Classic."
"Being a regular participant in the Face-Off Classic provides our players with the opportunity to enhance their lacrosse experience each year in the most exciting and prestigious regular season event in lacrosse. When we talk to recruits about being a part of this type of game, they become very excited about that prospect, as one of many great features that draw them to Princeton."

About Inside Lacrosse
Inside Lacrosse is the premier source of information about lacrosse -- the fastest-growing participant sport in the United States -- helping to define the cutting edge of the sport's rapid growth.
Inside Lacrosse includes Inside Lacrosse magazine, Face-Off Yearbook, InsideLacrosse.com, InsideLacrosse.tv, LacrosseForums.com, NLLInsider.com, Wingszone.com/nllmb and several other products and services unique to the sport. Inside Lacrosse is also the online lacrosse partner of ESPN.com.
Baltimore-based Inside Lacrosse magazine is published 11 times a year. Inside Lacrosse TV, which airs on ESPN2, covers high school, college and professional lacrosse, providing instruction, a look behind the scenes and player features. Face-Off College Yearbook is an annual comprehensive preview of the upcoming men's lacrosse season.
Founded in 1997 by Robert Carpenter, Inside Lacrosse is now part of American City Business Journals, Inc. ACBJ is the largest publisher of metropolitan business newsweeklies in the United States and owns a variety of sports publications, including The Sporting News, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal, NASCAR Illustrated and NASCAR Scene.

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