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News Headlines Last updated: Friday, Nov. 14, 2008 - 8 p.m.

INDEPENDENT WOMAN'S FOOTBALL LEAGUE

PARTNERS WITH USA FOOTBALL

   SACRAMENTO, CA, Calif. (Nov. 14, 2008) - Women's Football took a gigantic leap in history as well as the future to partner with USA Football. IWFL teams across the country will begin creating the Junior League, for young women ages 13-17 a chance to learn and play flag to full tackle football. Planning, development and research in works with IWFL and strategic planning team to have this establish in 2009.
    The collaboration with USA Football will provide a wider base for coaches, referees to continue certification for instruction to lead prominent young women in this All-American sport.
    USA Football has designated the IWFL as the exclusive provider of women athletes for USA Football's Senior National Teams at a both a flag and tackle levels. Team USA will represent USA Football during international events and competitions. Selection of women players and coordinators for this team will be made by the IWFL.
    With the IWFL league expanding to over 50 teams across the country, it looks as if Women's football is breaking new ground and ready to build a foundation in sports that's here to stay. Next stop Olympics?
    Sacramento Sirens tryouts are currently in effect with the last two being held at Natomas High School Dec. 6, 2008 and Jan. 3, 2009. Training camp begins late January.
    For more information visit the Sirens web site at www.SacramentoSirens.com.

A's CLAIM INFIELDER CHEN OFF WAIVERS FROM SEATTLE MARINERS

OAKLAND, CA, Calif. (Nov. 12, 2008) - The Oakland A’s claimed infielder Yung Chi Chen off waivers from the Seattle Mariners, the club announced today.

Chen, a native of Taiwan, was signed by the Mariners as a free agent at the age of 20. He has spent the last five seasons in the Mariners farm system, including last year when he batted .249 with three home runs and 25 RBI in 69 games with Triple-A Tacoma. Chen made 47 starts at second base and 20 at third base before he was placed on the disabled list on June 26 with torn meniscus in his right knee. He missed the remainder of the season. The 25-year old right-handed hitter played for Chinese Taipei in the 2004 Summer Olympics and the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

KEVIN MARTIN INJURED AGAINST GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

SACRAMENTO, CA, Calif. (Nov. 10, 2008) - Sacramento Kings’ guard Kevin Martin suffered a sprained left ankle in last night’s 115-98 win over the Golden State Warriors at ARCO Arena. An MRI taken today at the UC Davis Medical Center confirmed the sprain. He is expected to be out of action for approximately seven to 10 days.

KINGS PICK UP OPTION ON SPENCER HAWES FOR 2009-10

SACRAMENTO, CA, Calif. (Oct. 16, 2008) - The Sacramento Kings today picked up the option on forward Spencer Hawes for the 2009-10 campaign, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.
Hawes, currently in his second NBA season, was selected by Sacramento in the first round (10th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft as an undergraduate out of Washington. He averaged 4.7 points (.459 FGs, .190 3FGs, .655 FTs) and 3.2 rebounds as a rookie last season.

KINGS' GARCIA GETS CONTRACT EXTENSION

   SACRAMENTO, CA, Calif. (Sept. 29, 2008) - The Sacramento Kings and swingman Francisco Garcia today reached an agreement in principle on a multi-year contract extension, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
    “We are all gratified we were able to reach an agreement in principle with Francisco on a contract extension,” said Petrie. “He embodies a lot of qualities we feel are necessary for our team to continue to improve. He’s a competitive leader and he’s gotten better every year. We’re looking forward to watching him grow even more this season.”
    Garcia, a three-year NBA veteran, amassed career averages of 8.1 points (.440 FGs, .357 3FGs, .792 FTs), 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game through 225 outings with the Kings. His best year, statistically, occurred during the 2007-08 campaign when he averaged 12.3 points (.462 FGs, .391 3FGs, .779 FTs), 3.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game over 79 contests. Garcia started in 20 games last season (2007-08), averaging 16.4 points (.448 FGs, .370 3FGs, .798 FTs), 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. He recorded a career-high 31 points in 35 minutes at Phoenix on November 21, 2007.
    “I feel great,” explained Garcia. “It’s good to know that I’m going to be here for years to come. This is a great organization that’s moving in the right direction. We have the best owners in the league. Our general manager is one of the best. And we have a good coaching staff with a lot of talented players. I’m looking forward to the upcoming season.”
    Garcia was selected in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Kings as an undergraduate out of Louisville. He enjoyed a three-year career for the Cardinals, averaging 14.4 points (.448 FGs, .369 3FGs, .849 FTs), 3.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.48 steals per game through 98 outings, of which he started 80.
    “It’s very exciting to sign Francisco to a contract extension,” said Kings’ Owner Gavin Maloof. “He’s been a wonderful member of our organization both on and off the floor. We love his tenacity and leadership skills. He’s never afraid to take the big shot or make the big play. Francisco is a major part of our young core going forward.”

A's ANNOUNCE 2009 SCHEDULE

OAKLAND, CA, Calif. (Sept. 29, 2008) - With aspirations of returning to playoff form, the Oakland Athletics will christen the 2009 season with a four-game series against their cross-state rival Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium April 6-9.

Following the opening road series, the A’s return to Oakland for Opening Night on Friday, April 10 against the Seattle Mariners.

While the April 10 date kicks off a six-game April homestand which features three games vs. the Mariners and three contests against perennial American League East power Boston (April 13-15), the Athletics will play 16 of their first 25 games of 2009 on the road. However, A’s fans will be treated to plenty of local action soon thereafter, as the team will stage 15 home games in the months of May and June, and is slated to play a season-high 16 games in Oakland in August.

The Athletics have also announced that ticket pricing will not increase for any section for 2009, and in some sections will decrease. With an emphasis on providing value pricing for families, the A’s will expand its $2 Wednesday ticket offer to include an additional 4,000 seats for every regular season Wednesday game. A new “Friday Family Pack” will include four Plaza Level tickets and four meals for only $50, and be available every Friday during the regular season. In addition, family value merchandise will be available every game, with an Athletics tee shirt offered for sale at $10 and an Athletics baseball cap for $10.

Field Level Outfield ticket pricing will be reduced for individual games from $30 to $26. A part of the Lower Bowl seating will be reduced from $35 to $30. Other sections will remain the same, including Plaza Reserved tickets for all games that are priced at just $9. Click HERE for a complete 2008-09 Oakland A's schedule in Word format.

KINGS FORWARD SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Sept. 22, 2008) - Sacramento Kings’ forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim today announced his retirement from the NBA as a player due to a reoccurring knee injury.

“First of all, on behalf of the entire organization I want to thank Shareef for his contribution to the Kings and NBA both on and off the court,” said Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. “He has had an exemplary career as a player and citizen. It is unfortunate for any productive career to be felled by injury. However, no one can ever doubt Shareef’s effort, commitment or desire to excel. It is our intention to find a new role for Shareef with the organization as he begins the next phase of his professional life.”

Abdur-Rahim enjoyed 12 seasons in the NBA with four different teams (Vancouver 1996-97 to 2000-01, Atlanta 2001-02 to 2003-04, Portland 2003-04 to 2004-05 and Sacramento 2005-06 to 2007-08), amassing career averages of 18.1 points (.452 FGs, .297 3FGs, .810 FTs), 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game through 830 outings. His most productive season, statistically, occurred during the 1998-99 campaign in Vancouver when he averaged 23.0 points (.432 FGs, .306 3FGs, .841 FTs), 7.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game through 50 contests (NBA Lockout season). The following season (1999-00), Abdur-Rahim averaged double figures in both points (20.3) and rebounds (10.1) per game, in which he played in all 82 contests for the Grizzlies.

“I’ve been in a situation where I’ve been trying to get healthy over the last year and a half,” explained Abdur-Rahim. “I came to grips with the fact that, health-wise, I won’t be able to get back to the condition and level that is needed to play in the NBA. My right knee has become arthritic over the years and is to the point where it won’t allow me do the things and play at the level in which I’m accustomed to playing. As tough as it is to come to grips with, it’s the reality.”

Abdur-Rahim was a member of the gold-medal winning United States Olympic team in 2000 while still with the Vancouver Grizzlies. He was selected to the Eastern Conference NBA All-Star Team where he scored nine points in 21 minutes as a member of the Atlanta Hawks in 2002.

“Regarding my career, I’ve been really blessed and fortunate,” said Abdur-Rahim. “I’m thankful that I had basketball and was able to play in the NBA. There aren’t a lot of people who actually get to do what they grow up dreaming about doing. I’ve had that opportunity and I’m really thankful for that. I’m also thankful for the coaches, trainers, owners, front office people and friends I’ve made through my time in the NBA. It was a tough decision, but in no way am I bitter. I’m just really thankful and happy that I was given the opportunity to play in the NBA.”

On December 28, 2002, Abdur-Rahim became the sixth-youngest player in NBA history to reach the 10,000-point plateau when he scored 18 points at Washington at age 26, trailing only Kobe Bryant, Bob McAdoo, Shaquille O’Neal, Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with that distinction. He scored a career-high 50 points (including a career-high 21 field goals made) versus Detroit on November 23, 2001, becoming the first Hawks player to hit that mark since Dominique Wilkins poured in 52 points in 1991.

Selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies (now Memphis) as an undergraduate out of California with the third pick of the 1996 NBA Draft, Abdur-Rahim has a long-standing history of community service involvement. He was named by The Sporting News as the NBA’s Number 1 Good Guy for 2004 after funding the Reef House in Atlanta through his Atlanta-based Future Foundation with the purpose of assisting at-risk and underprivileged youth.

SACRAMENTO KINGS ANNOUNCE 2008-09 SCHEDULE

   SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Aug. 6, 2008) - The Sacramento Kings will open the 2008-09 regular season on the road for the fifth straight year when they travel to Minnesota for a tilt against the Timberwolves on Wednesday, October 29th (5 pm PST) in the first of a four-game road trip, which also includes stops in Miami (Friday, October 31st), Orlando (Saturday, November 1st) and Philadelphia (Monday, November 3rd).
    The Kings host the Memphis Grizzlies at ARCO Arena in their season home opener on Wednesday, November 5th (7 pm) in the first of a four-game homestand, which also includes games versus the Minnesota Timberwolves (Friday, November 7th), Golden State Warriors (Sunday, November 9th) and Detroit Pistons (Tuesday, November 11th).
    Notable teams making early ARCO Arena appearances include the San Antonio Spurs, led by Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker (Sunday, November 16th), Kobe Bryant and his Western Conference Champion Los Angeles Lakers (Tuesday, December 9th), and the 2008 NBA Champion Boston Celtics, powered by Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett (Sunday, December 28th).
    Just as the season began, Sacramento’s season finale will take place on the road when they battle the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center on Wednesday, April 15th.
    Following are key facts regarding the Kings’ 2008-09 regular season schedule.

KEY FACTS ABOUT THE SACRAMENTO KINGS’ 2008-09 SCHEDULE
    By month, the schedule breaks down as follows: October (0 home, 2 away = 2 total), November (9 home, 8 away = 17 total), December (8 home, 5 away = 13 total), January (6 home, 10 away = 16 total), February (6 home, 7 away = 13 total), March (8 home, 4 away = 12 total), April (4 home, 5 away = 9 total).
    By day, the schedule breaks down as follows: Monday (2 home, 6 away = 8 total), Tuesday (9 home, 7 away = 16 total), Wednesday (5 home, 9 away = 14 total), Thursday (1 home, 0 away = 1 total), Friday (11 home, 9 away = 20 total), Saturday (3 home, 6 away = 9 total), Sunday (10 home, 4 away = 14 total).
    The Kings’ longest homestand is four games on four separate occasions at ARCO Arena.
    Sacramento embarks on six road trips of three or more games in length. The longest is a four-game journey on five separate occasions.
    Of the 22 sets of back-to-back games, 11 are of the away-away variety, eight are home-away and three are of the away-home category. There are no home-home back-to-backs slated for the 2008-09 campaign.
    Unlike past years, there are not any afternoon contests (prior to 5 p.m. local) on the Kings’ 2008-09 schedule.
    Sacramento’s 41-game home schedule features 24 weekend contests at ARCO Arena.
    The Kings’ 2008-09 regular season home opener will take place on Wednesday, November 5th versus Memphis. Sacramento has never opened up at home against the Memphis Grizzlies. However, the Kings recorded a 109-87 win over the Vancouver Grizzlies in a home opener on February 7, 1999 during the lockout season.
    Sacramento will open the 2008-09 regular season on the road on October 29th at Minnesota. The last time the Kings opened up on the road against the Timberwolves occurred at the outset of the 2006-07 season (11/1) at the Target Center when Sacramento suffered a 92-83 loss.
    The Kings have opened the season on the road in each of the past four campaigns, playing three or more games. This marks the fifth straight such season.
    Sacramento will play Minnesota in the season finale. The Kings have never played the Timberwolves in the last game of the season.
    Though the Kings will not play on any national holidays, they will play on Halloween (October 31st at Miami), St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th at Atlanta) and Easter Sunday (April 12th versus San Antonio).

Click HERE for a complete 2008-09 Kings schedule in Word format.

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