Facility Notes
The Dodgers and Massachusetts-based John Hancock Financial Services have inked a four-year sponsorship agreement that entitles the company to two permanent Pavilion signs located above the outfield wall in left-center and right-center field at Dodger Stadium. The company will also receive home plate rotational signage for half an inning every game. The company kicked off their sponsorship in a pre-game reception on the Loge Terrace prior to yesterday’s A's-Dodgers game (Dodgers).
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Lions Coach Wants To Get Team
Out Of Detroit For Training Camp |
SUMMER CAMP: Lions coach Jim Schwartz said that he is "interested in getting his players outside of the Detroit area for camp, possibly as early as 2010." Schwartz "mentioned west Michigan -- specifically Grand Valley State University -- as a desirable location." In Detroit, Guthrie & Clayton note Grand Valley State Univ.'s campus, located in Allendale, "features an 8,600-seat stadium, an indoor facility with a 100-yard field, other practice fields, a weight training facility and meeting rooms." The Lions have held training camp at Allen Park since '02 (DETROIT NEWS, 6/17).
FAILURE TO UNIONIZE: In Massachusetts, Michael Gelbwasser reported the "first-ever vote to unionize Gillette Stadium tradesmen ended unsuccessfully Monday, with the majority backing the status quo." Area Trades Council Organizer Dick Monks said that nine voters were "in favor of unionizing and 14 against." Monks said that he is "'very saddened, disappointed and a little bit surprised' by the results of Monday's election, which was run by the National Labor Relations Board. Monks said that Gillette Stadium is "one of only five" NFL stadiums "not unionized" (Attleboro SUN CHRONICLE, 6/16).
NORTHERN STAR: Univ. of Minnesota (UM) Athletic Communications Dir Garry Bowman said that the school's new TCF Bank Stadium, set to open this fall, is 95% completed. In Minneapolis, Michael Rand notes the stadium's locker room is "touted as the largest football locker room -- college or pro -- in the country," and it is a "sight to behold." The locker room is "football-shaped" and is "60 yards long and ringed with gorgeous wood lockers" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/17).
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