Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Soul celebration info

The Philadelphia Soul announced on Wednesday additions to the team’s Championship Celebration that is being thrown by the City of Philadelphia at City Hall’s Dilworth Plaza on Thursday, July 31, including an exclusive partnership agreement with Virgin Mobile to be the presenting sponsor of the event.

Among the many additions, the Mayor’s Press Secretary Doug Oliver, filling in for the vacationing Mayor Michael Nutter, will proclaim July 31, 2008 Philadelphia Soul Day throughout the City. The result of that will be the City lighting all the bridges and the fountain in Love Park Soul blue, as well as having the PECO building read a special message for the Soul’s Virgin Mobile ArenaBowl XXII win this past Sunday.

It was also announced that Soul radio play-by-play man Ari Wolfe and the Soul’s in-arena voice Vinnie The Crum will emcee the event.

Finally, there will be a post-Celebration party at Chickie’s & Pete’s in Northeast Philadelphia.

On Tuesday the team announced it was celebrating its first ArenaBowl title with Championship Celebration that included appearances by co-majority owners Jon Bon Jovi and Craig Spencer, as well as minority owner Leo Carlin Jr. and team president and minority owner Ron Jaworski. Bon Jovi will not perform at the celebration, but Jon will address the fans. In addition to coaches and players, including league MVP and ArenaBowl MVP QB Matt D’Orazio, being in attendance, the Soulmates and Soulman will also be there. The Soul Band and Drumline will also perform.

Players will arrive at City Hall at approximately 3 p.m. via police escort as Saturn of Philadelphia will provide Saturn Skys for transportation. Flatbed trucks will also carry players to the event.

The Soul celebrated their fifth anniversary this season with a 59-56 win over the San Jose SaberCats in Virgin Mobile ArenaBowl XXII.

Soulfood: Sunday’s Virgin Mobile ArenaBowl XXII win for the Philadelphia Soul was the most watched Arena Football game in the history of the franchise, recording a 5.3 rating and an 11 share within the local market.

On Monday, a 4.8 rating and a 10 share were released to the public, but did not reflect viewership after 6 p.m. (et). The current figures include the entire game, which ended just past 6 p.m. (et).

The 5.3 rating compares favorably with post-season ratings for Flyers-Caps (8.5) and Sixers-Pistons (3.0), both played in April.

Philadelphia did a 1.0 in 2007 when the Soul were not in the ArenaBowl.

Meanwhile, Mayor Michael Nutter congratulated the Soul Wednesday.

“It’s great to have a championship team in Philadelphia again,” said Nutter. “The players, coaches, staff, fans, and families of the Soul all deserve a big congratulation for their dedication and hard work.”

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