The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • 90

DIO Friday, March 26, 1999 HOCKEY The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Thrashers jerseys will be unveiled at gala in park Byjeff Schultz STAFF WRITER Three months before drafting their first players, the Thrashers finally have something for them to wear. The NHL expansion franchise will unveil its home jerseys Saturday in ceremonies at Centennial Olympic Park and punctuate the all-important merchandising push with concerts and a fireworks show. "It's one of the more significant events for this franchise, to date," said Derek Schiller, the team's vice president of marketing and sales. "The home jersey identifies the team, and the cool thing about hockey is fans in most markets like to wear what the players wear." It won't be an understated event. A one-hour performance by the group "Everything" is scheduled to start at 1 p.m., followed by the unveiling of the jersey at 2 p.m.

and a 90-minute concert by "Fastball" at 2:30. Jersey distribution to season-ticket holders will begin immediately thereafter. The Thrashers also will sell a limited number of jerseys, but retail distribution probably will not begin in full until late next week. Two oldies groups, "The Lovin' Spoonful" and "Dr. Hook," will hold an evening concert.

An interactive game area, "Thrasherville," will be set up. The event, co-sponsored by FM station Star-94, will be emceed by Scott Ferrall, the team's radio play-by-play broadcaster. General manager Don Waddell and Andy Moog, the team's goaltending consultant, will be among the team officials in attendance. CATHY SEITH Staff rerrall lieady for 'chance of a lifetime' By Prentis Rogers STFf WRITER It was fitting the Thrashers chose Philips Arena as the site to introduce Scott Ferrall as their radio voice Thursday, because, like the home of Atlanta's hockey team, he is a work in progress. also like Philips Arena, Ferrall promises to be ready as a play-by-play announcer when the first puck is dropped for the NHL expansion team in the fall.

i "This is the chance of a lifetime for me," Ferrall said against a backdrop of unfinished concrete structures and a leaky roof. "I know I'm really raw at this, but I've been practicing at the Kings' home games, and I don't think I'll ask the Atlanta fans to be patient. I'll be good. I'm going to sound like I've been doing it for 10 years." Although the native of Pittsburgh is brimming with confidence after signing a three-year deal, hockey play-by-play work is arguably the most difficult call in sports. However, the Thrashers think that what Ferrall lacks in play-by-play experience will be offset by his enthusiasm and the celebrity of being a nationally syndicated radio personality with Westwood One.

Ferrall's weeknight show "On The Bench" is heard locally on "SportsTalk 790 The Zone" (WQXI-AM) at 10 p.m. Listeners in Atlanta also remember him from his days with "680 The Fan" before WCNN scrapped the sports talk format. But Thrashers general manager Don Waddell's fondest memory of Ferrall will always be that first audition. "Thrashers vice president Derek Schiller said he wanted me to come down and listen to him, but he didn't tell me I would be sitting next to Scott as the color commentator," Waddell said. "I Voice of the Thrashers: Scott Ferrall has never done hockey play-by-play but is currently prac ticing at Los Angeles Kings games.

He promises he'll "sound like I've been doing it for 10 years." SPECIAL OFFER: JUST ANNOUNCED $500 BONUS CASH! got kicked three times and spit on a few times, but I walked away very excited about the energy he could bring to us." Except for road games out West when a guest host will sit in for him, Ferrall will continue to work his show on Westwood One. He plans to tape programming on game days, primarily interviews, that will fill the time until he joins his show live by 11 p.m. "I want to be involved in every aspect of promoting the Thrashers in Atlanta, but I will never shortchange Westwood One and CBS Radio," Ferrall said. With a minimum of 15 games set for television on UPN-69 (WU-PA), the Thrashers will focus on choosing a flagship radio station, which is expected to take at least another month. Got Rooms? Masters Golf Tournament OM THE JkLilEAD? Sheila Meeks 706798-5501 1520 Aviation Way, Augusta NEW 1999 Lincoln Town Cars Li Ranked "Best Compact 7 I Pec Month Total Dim At Lease Inception $1999 Which includes Car in Initial Quality" $0 Security Plus tax '99 Ford r- i a i 'a LINCOLN-MERCURY 1 1507 Alpharetta Roswell HouR 770 475-0030 sat biosed sun mm Visit Us On The Web www.troncalllcars.com ltfBllII or choose flQ APR financing (BERSA) .380 DOUBLE ACTION tot 5b months ttmmmtOTjjr KJt LIGHTWEIGHT 7-SKOT Sfl (o)(o7 MATTE BLUE, COMPACT U(2X2) IN FACTORY BOX JAIL $329 DEALER $260 99 Ford Windstar V- -X TTT? 1 Only vehicle to earn a Quadruple 5 Star Crash Test Rating" $1,000 Cash Back 1 500 Bonus Cash 1 i.mX 5i $1,500 Total Cash D3 IlniEP CEID Or Get $1,000 cash back on '99 Mustang ot '99 Taunis $1,500 cash back on '99 ContouT Hurry! Special Offer Ends April 1st! I Cteuelaiul' GOLF FREE CLEVELAND WEDGE (Chrome or RTC) A Cleveland Al Sena Ford, Aiphwetu 147J Alphirttti Highway 770-664)673 Arrlngton Blount Ford, Uwrencevffli ijoo UntvtriHy Miwy.

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