TONIGHT’S GAME – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The ArenaBowl XXIV Champion Jacksonville Sharks take the field at home on Saturday night, hosting the West Division’s Spokane Shock. This is a matchup of the last two ArenaBowl Champions, as the Shock captured the ArenaBowl XXIII title following the 2010 season. Jacksonville is 2-1 all-time against Spokane. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

SharkFest
SharkFest is back! Check out our pregame block party just outside the front entrance of the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, where you can ride the giant inflatable Shark Slide and enjoy Sea Best Seafood.

Also at SharkFest, you have the chance to help save lives by participating in The Blood Alliance’s blood drive. The drive will run from 4:00-7:00 p.m., and the first 20 people to donate will receive a FREE t-shirt and be automatically entered to win a 2012 Honda Civic LX courtesy of HondasForLess.net.

Many of our other corporate partners will be on hand, so be sure to stop by their displays as well. SharkFest is set to begin at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Gates Open
Tonight, gates will open at 5:30 p.m. for season ticket holders and 6:00 p.m. for the general public.

Sharks Credit Card
If you haven’t seen it, 121 Financial Credit Union offers the only official Sharks credit card! With the Sharks credit card, you can show your Shark fandom while supporting one of our great partners at the same time. Stop by the 121 table inside the main concourse to register today!

Superhero/Education Appreciation Night
It’s superhero night, so come dressed in costume and get your picture taken with the Batmobile! Also, remember that all current students, teachers and school administrators can still get Buy One, Get One Free tickets for tonight’s game – just bring a valid current school ID or a student’s progress report to the Box Office at the arena.

DVD/Ring Replica Pickup
Season ticket holders who qualified for both Championship DVD Sets and Desktop Ring Replicas will be able to pick up those items across from the Merch Stand behind Section 106. Note that you must physically present the redemption voucher that was included in your season ticket package in order to receive your desktop ring replica. Photocopies or any other forms of duplication will not be accepted. No cash value.

The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the Arena Football League (AFL). The ArenaBowl XXIV and back-to-back South Division Champions are presented by Sea Best Seafood and play all home games on Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Season Tickets for the 2012 season are now available, two tickets as low as $111. To reserve your season tickets or for more information, please call (904) 621-0700. Follow the Sharks on facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance.

The ArenaBowl XXIV Champion Jacksonville Sharks announced Thursday that offensive lineman Brant Clouser has been assigned to the team’s roster.

The 22-year-old Clouser (6’3”, 315) is set to begin his first season in the Arena Football League. Undrafted out of Villanova, Clouser signed with the National Football League’s New York Giants at the start of the team’s 2011 training camp, but was released by the team prior to the start of the regular season.

Clouser was a mainstay along the Villanova offensive line, stepping right into a starting role at guard during his freshman season in 2007. Clouser remained in the lineup throughout his career, starting all 53 of the Wildcats’ games during his four years. As a senior in 2010, Clouser was selected to both the preseason and postseason All-CAA First Team.

Before attending Villanova, Clouser attended Altoona High School in Altoona, PA.

To make room for Clouser on the 24-man active roster, the Sharks placed FB Rendrick Taylor on injured reserve, retroactive to April 20.

The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the Arena Football League (AFL). The ArenaBowl XXIV and back-to-back South Division Champions are presented by Sea Best Seafood and play all home games on Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Season Tickets for the 2012 season are now available, two tickets as low as $111. To reserve your season tickets or for more information, please call (904) 621-0700. Follow the Sharks on facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance.

The ArenaBowl XXIV Champion Jacksonville Sharks will host the West Division’s Spokane Shock on Saturday, April 28 on Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Kickoff for Saturday’s game is set for 7:00 p.m.

This weekend’s game gives the Sharks (2-3) a chance to earn their second consecutive victory, as Jacksonville took down the Cleveland Gladiators, 54-49, in a road test last Saturday night.

Seven weeks into 2012, the South Division standings remain remarkably close, as not one team has separated itself from the pack. Though technically in fourth place, Jacksonville is just a half-game out of first place, held in a three-way, 3-3 tie by the Georgia Force, Tampa Bay Storm and New Orleans VooDoo.

Last Saturday, quarterback Omar Jacobs continued to build on his impressive recent performance. Against the Gladiators, Jacobs threw for 300 yards and connected on six touchdowns without throwing an interception, his third consecutive start without a pick. Jacobs has connected on 18 consecutive touchdown passes in that span, and overall, the Sharks’ offense has turned the ball over just three times in the last three games.

One reason for the offense’s recent success is continued improvement in pass protection. The Sharks’ offensive line is expected to get another boost this week, as Vladimir Richard was activated from injured reserve on Tuesday. Entering his second year with the Sharks, Richard anchored a Jacksonville offensive line that yielded just 12 sacks in the entire 2011 regular season.

However, the Sharks will have to make up for the absence of receiver Jeron Harvey, who was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday. Harvey must remain on IR for a minimum of four weeks.

Led by two-time AFL Playmaker of the Week Terrance Smith, the Sharks have a dynamically talented receiving corps that will give Jacobs plenty of options without Harvey in the lineup. Bobby Sewall broke out as a deep threat with two fourth-quarter touchdowns in the win over Cleveland, while Shamar Graves (6’3”, 235) and Jamarko Simmons (6’3”, 250) each possess a rare combination of size and speed.

On defense, the Sharks put together an outstanding performance against Cleveland. After allowing the Utah Blaze to score a touchdown on every possession two weeks ago, the Sharks came up with several defensive stands in key spots against the Gladiators. In particular, Jacksonville’s defense forced a turnover on downs in the final minute to set up the game-winning touchdown then thwarted Cleveland’s final chance as time expired.

Theme Night Information
Saturday night is Education Appreciation Night at Sea Best Field, as all current students, teachers and school administrators have the ability to purchase Buy One, Get One Free tickets for this game only. To purchase tickets, simply bring a valid current school ID or a student progress report to the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena box office on the day of the game. Note that there is a limit of four free tickets per ID.

It will also be Superhero Night, as fans are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite superhero or supervillian. Rumor has it that the Batmobile may make its way onto Sea Best Field as well!

Know Your Foe
Like the Sharks, the Spokane Shock enter this weekend’s matchup with a 2-3 overall record. The team has split two road contests in 2012 and heads into Saturday’s game coming off of their second bye week of the season.

The Shock have had a fluid quarterback situation through the team’s first five games, as three different players have attempted at least 45 passes for Spokane this season. The team is led by Kyle Rowley, who rejoined the Shock several weeks ago after he began the season assigned to the Pittsburgh Power.

Rowley played with Spokane in both 2010 and 2011, throwing for four touchdowns and an interception when the teams met on Sea Best Field in last season’s regular-season finale, a game the Sharks won 75-56.

On defense, Spokane’s pass rush must compensate for the loss of top sack man Jeremy Geathers, who racked up six sacks in five games before signing with the Canadian Football League’s BC Lions last week. The rest of the Shock’s front four has combined for a total of just four sacks this season.

The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the Arena Football League (AFL). The ArenaBowl XXIV and back-to-back South Division Champions are presented by Sea Best Seafood and play all home games on Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Season Tickets for the 2012 season are now available, two tickets as low as $111. To reserve your season tickets or for more information, please call (904) 621-0700. Follow the Sharks on facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance.

JACKSONVILLE GIANTS PARADE AND CELEBRATION

The Jacksonville Giants have be crowned ABA Champions! Now it is time to celebrate, the city of Jacksonville has declared Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 Jacksonville Giants ABA Champions Day. All fans, sponsored and supporters are encouraged to show their support for the home team by wearing orange and blue or Giants appeal. A parade will take place at 5 pm starting at the south side of Everbank Stadium heading west bound on Bay Street, turning north on A Phillip Randolph toward Veterans Memorial Arena and City Hall Pub, ending on the steps of the arena. Parade map is attached.

All fans in attendance for the parade will receive commemorative ABA Champs posters. City Hall Pub will host a gathering after the parade kids 12 and under eat free at City Hall Pub, in addition a highlight reel will be shown and the presentation of the Championship trophy will occur! Players and coaches will be available for interviews, pictures and autographs!

For information regarding the parade contact the Giants office 904-355-6531. Please check our Facebook for updates on the team and ABA. For more information on the Jacksonville Giants, please visit our website at www.jacksonvillegiants.com or call the Giants ticketing office at 904-355-6531.
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2011-2012 ABA CHAMPIONS JACKSONVILLE GIANTS
April 15th, 2012 the Jacksonville Giants won the ABA Championship in St. Petersburg, Florida. Taking the series 2-0 against the #1 ranked previously undefeated South Carolina Warriors. The Giants finished the season with a 27-4 record including the playoffs.

THE DECEMBER 2011 BUZZER BEATER
Who could have imagined that 20 years after his famous BUZZER BEATER shot for Duke that former NBA Star and Olympic Gold Medalist Christian Laettner would be repeating the feat. This time, he was playing for the ABA Jacksonville Giants. With just 3 seconds left and down by two, Laettner tossed the ball inbounds over 50 ft. to awaiting Mike Polyte who dropped it off quickly to Currye (C.T.) Todd. Todd took the long 30 foot shot and it entered the basket without hitting the rim winning the game.

PROUD RECIPIENTS OF DCPS BUSINESS PARTNER RECOGNITION AWARD
The Giants were proud to be recognized as one of only three businesses to receive the State Education Commissioner’s Business Partner Recognition award for their participation in Duval County public Schools during the 2010/2011 school year. The Giants players, coaches and staff, including the one and only Mr. Biggs, visited 70 schools in Northeast Florida as part of the organizations promise to excellence and community. The team has a goal of visiting 120 schools this coming season as well as participating in many other community and charitable activities.

ABOUT THE GIANTS AND THE ABA 3-D RULE
The Giants, directed by Head Coach Kevin Waters, was established as a fast-breaking energetic team meant to take advantage of the ABA ‘s 3-D rule. The 3-D rule allows the team that steals its opponent’s ball before half court to add one point to its point score. For example: If the stealing team makes a two point shot it actually counts as three points on the scoreboard. When the 3-D rule is in effect and a player is fouled, that player has the opportunity at three foul shots instead of the normal two.

MOST POINTS SCORED IN A SINGLE GAME IN PRO BASKETBALL HISTORY
In its 7th game in the ABA , the Jacksonville Giants established the historic ABA and Pro Basketball record of “Most Points Scored in a Single Game” with a total score of 206 points. The Giants recently broke this record this record again, scoring 211 points against the Columbus Riverballers on February 4th 2012, earning national media attention in Sports Illustrated.

UNDEFEATED IN ITS REGULAR SEASON (23-0)
The Giants are proud of the fact that they were UNDEFEATED during regular season play. No other ABA team has held such a record. The Giants final regular season record was 23-0.

2011 ABA ALL-STAR GAME
In its first season, the Jacksonville Giants hosted the 2011 ABA National All-Star Game. It was held February 26, 2011, at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. The top 12 “Best of the Best” ABA players in the United States competed in an East vs. West competition. Giants’ players Jermaine (Slim) Bell and Ed ( Hollywood ) Horton were two of the select few to make this team. Giants’ Head Coach Kevin Waters was coach for the East team and he led the Eastern Conference team to an All-Star victory by just one point. ABA President Dick Packer, said, “The Giants hosted one terrific All-Star game and definitely one of our best ever! I know that everyone in attendance had a great time.”

The ArenaBowl XXIV Champion Jacksonville Sharks announced Wednesday that the team has acquired OL Ailao Eliapo from the Orlando Predators in exchange for QB Chris Leak.

The 23-year-old Eliapo started four of the Predators’ first six games in 2012, working primarily at fullback. Used mainly as a blocker, Eliapo did carry the ball five times for 12 yards as a member of the Predators. Eliapo began his Arena Football League career with the San Jose SaberCats in 2011, starting five of the team’s final six games along the offensive line. Eliapo caught two passes for 39 yards in his time with San Jose.

Before turning pro, Eliapo played at San Jose State, where he began his career as a defensive lineman before moving to the offensive side of the ball as a sophomore in 2008. He was a three-year starter on the Spartans’ offensive line, finishing his college career in 2010. Eliapo is a native of Burlingame, CA and played at South San Francisco High School.

Leak started the Sharks’ season opener in Kansas City in place of an injured Omar Jacobs, completing 21 of 31 passes for 196 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. He was placed on team suspension following that game and did not appear in any of the Sharks’ last five games.

The Sharks also announced Wednesday that WR Jeron Harvey has been placed on injured reserve.

The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the Arena Football League (AFL). The ArenaBowl XXIV and back-to-back South Division Champions are presented by Sea Best Seafood and play all home games on Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Season Tickets for the 2012 season are now available, two tickets as low as $111. To reserve your season tickets or for more information, please call (904) 621-0700. Follow the Sharks on facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance.