Soul to give free playoff tix to entire Bucks County borough in honor of Chris Jackson day

Wednesday June 25, 2008

Everybody in Morrisville, Pop. 10,096, invited to July 5 game to honor hometown hero and star receiver Chris Jackson
 
PHILADELPHIA, PA (June 25, 2008) -- The entire hometown of Philadelphia Soul star wide receiver Chris Jackson has been invited by the team to attend its Divisional Playoff game at the Wachovia Center on Saturday, July 5 as part of Chris Jackson Day. The Borough of Morrisville has a population of 10,096 and team President Ron Jaworski is offering everyone to pick up free tickets at a community celebration this Tuesday afternoon, July 1, at Williamson Park.
 
“We just don’t do things halfway,” said team General Manager Rich Lisk. “So, the Philadelphia Soul is all in for Morrisville, in honor of Chris Jackson.”
 
The Soul completed the 2008 Arena Football League regular season with a 13-3 record and the top seed in the playoffs, earning a first round bye.  Because of live television commitments, the team’s first playoff game landed on Saturday, July 5, at 7 p.m. in the middle of the Independence Day holiday weekend.
 
“Thousands of our fans with holiday weekend plans at the Jersey Shore will be able to watch us live on ESPN,” continued Lisk.  “That gives us the opportunity to honor Chris and thank his hometown fans for their support this past season.  We’ve enjoyed a terrific homefield advantage with capacity crowds all year and this will help us maintain that edge.  Everyone’s invited.”
 
The tickets will be given out on Tuesday, July 1, from 4-7 p.m. at Williamson Park (known in Morrisville as “The Island”) as part of Chris Jackson Day.  Along with Borough officials, Philadelphia Soul representatives and Jackson, who has plenty of family in the community, will be in attendance.  The park is located on North Delmorr Ave. (Route 32), along the Delaware River.  Additional details will be announced.
 
Should demand for the tickets exceed the available supply, the team will provide complimentary admission to a possible second playoff game or one of the 2009 home games. The game will be played at the Wachovia Center, which seats 17,486 for Philadelphia Soul games.
 
Jackson grew up in the Bucks County community and lived there until the age of seven before moving to California and becoming a star athlete.  He developed into a football standout at Washington State University and attended several NFL training camps before finding a home in the AFL.  Over nine seasons, he has become one of the best players in the 22-year history of the league, finishing the 2008 season just shy of all-time records in touchdowns, receptions and receiving yards.
 
“Actually, I was going to ask for a few extra tickets to this game -- being the playoffs and all -- for family and friends,” laughed Jackson, a candidate for the league’s 2008 Most Valuable Player award. “I guess having to get extra playoff tickets next week won’t be a distraction for me.”
 
“Chris may be the most exciting player in the league, and we’re proud that he is a Delaware Valley native son from the Borough of Morrisville,” offered Soul head coach Bret Munsey.  “If this adds a little juice to our homefield advantage, then we’re all for it.” 
 
The top-seeded Soul’s opponent in the Divisional Playoff game depends on the outcome of this weekend’s two National Conference Wild Card games. If the New York Dragons (8-8) upset the favored Dallas Desperados (12-4) on Friday, June 27, they will move on to face the Soul at the Wachovia Center on July 5. If Dallas wins, the Soul will challenge the winner of the Monday, June 30 matchup between the Orlando Predators (9-7) and Cleveland Gladiators (9-7).
 
Winning on July 5 would enable the Soul to host the National Conference championship on the weekend of July 12-13 and move one game closer to the Arena Bowl, set for July 27 in New Orleans.
 
The Soul are celebrating their fifth anniversary this season. The team has drawn an AFL-best 646,043 fans combined during the first five seasons. Following last season, the Soul were recognized with the Commissioner's Award as the Organization of the Year and were an honorable mention for the PRISM Award in the category of fan appreciation. For more information call (888) PHIL-AFL or log on to www.philadelphiasoul.com.