Sharks Offer Exclusive One-Day Presale On KISS and ArenaBowl Tickets

The 2012 South Division Champion Jacksonville Sharks announced Wednesday that the team is offering an exclusive package of tickets to ArenaBowl XXVI and the KISS performance that headlines ArenaBowl weekend. The concert and game will be held at the Amway Center in Orlando on August 16 and 17, respectively."¨

Beginning this evening, Shark season ticket holders can purchase KISS and ArenaBowl XXVI tickets on Ticketmaster.com. This offer is exclusive for Sharks Season Ticket Holders, and will be available until 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 3.

"We hope to pair the hottest band in the world with the hottest team in the AFL on August 16-17 in Orlando, Florida at the Amway Center," stated Sharks Managing Partner Jeff Bouchy. "We always aim to give Shark Nation the ultimate fan experience, and allowing our season ticket holders to purchase KISS and ArenaBowl XXVI tickets before they go on sale to the general public is a continuation of this experience and our dedication to them.""¨

The tickets available through this exclusive offer are located in premier sections that are not currently available to the general public. Specific instructions about how to take advantage of this offer will be emailed to Shark season ticket holders this evening. Season Ticket Holders who inadvertently do not receive the email may obtain these exclusive instructions by calling the Sharks ticket office at (904) 621-0700.

Jacksonville Sharks to Hold Open Player Tryout on February 17

The 2012 South Division Champion Jacksonville Sharks announced Monday that the team will hold an open player tryout at on Sunday, February 17 at the Jacksonville University Football Stadium.
Registration for the tryout begins at 8:00 a.m. and the workout is set to start promptly at 9:00. The tryout will run until each player has been evaluated by head coach Les Moss and the entire Sharks coaching staff. The field is located on the Jacksonville University campus at 2800 University Blvd. N., Jacksonville, FL 32211.
Those wishing to participate in the tryout must complete the 2013 Tryout Packet, which is available online at jaxsharks.com. On the day of the tryout, players are asked to bring the completed packet along with a payment of $80. Payment can be made with cash, a credit card or money order. Checks will not be accepted.
This year's tryout will consist of a combination of drills, including the 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle and various position-specific drills. The tryout is open to anyone over the age of 18 who has completed high school and is not currently under contract with any professional football team.
This marks the Sharks' second open tryout held this offseason, following the team's workout in Nashville, Tennessee on December 1. Several players who attended the tryout in Nashville, including defensive lineman Donte'e Nicholls, defensive back Cortez Stubbs and wide receiver London Crawford, have agreed to contracts with the Sharks and will begin training camp with the team.
For more information and to download the 2013 Tryout Packet, visit http://www.jaxsharks.com/team/tryouts.

Jacksonville Sharks To Hold Free Preseason Scrimmage On March 15

The 2012 South Division Champion Jacksonville Sharks announced Thursday that the team will hold a free preseason benefit scrimmage for a third consecutive year. This season, the Sharks will host the division rival Orlando Predators for a game that kicks off at 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 15, on Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.
The event will also serve as the first opportunity for 2013 season ticket holders to pick up their tickets for the upcoming season. Season ticket holders will be able to pick up their ticket packages beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Duval Room within the arena. Season ticket holder gifts - including beach towels, tailgate chairs and key chains, will be distributed at a later date, and more specific information on pickup of these gifts will be included in the ticket packages.
For this game, the Sharks have partnered with First Coast No More Homeless Pets (FCNMHP), an organization that aims to eliminate the needless killing of dogs and cats in our local community through free and low-cost spay and neuter programs. The organization also operates the Jacksonville Pet Food Bank, providing qualified low-income families with the resources necessary to keep their pets healthy.
WJXT Channel 4 will serve as the media partner for this preseason event, utilizing their platform to raise awareness of FCNMHP's mission.
"We are very pleased to offer a free preseason event for a third straight year," Sharks Managing Partner Jeff Bouchy said. "This scrimmage will be an outstanding chance to give our great fans an early look at our 2013 team, while also providing an opportunity for our community to come together for a great cause. Through the generosity of our fans, we will make significant strides towards FCNMHP's goal of ending the needless killing of adoptable pets."
Admission to the preseason scrimmage is free of charge, however fans are asked to bring a donation of pet food that will be collected outside the arena on behalf of FCNMHP. Cash donations will also be accepted for fans wishing to contribute in that manner.
Currently, bags of dry pet food are FCNMHP's greatest need, though cans of wet food will also be accepted at this event. A full list of the FCNMHP "wish list" can be found online at http://www.fcnmhp.org/pdf/wish_list.pdf.
"Our goal is to keep pets with their families and out of shelters. There are dogs and cats going hungry in our community and this is one way to help," said Rick DuCharme, executive director of FCNMHP.
Held four weeks prior to the Sharks' home opener, the game will give fans a chance to get an early glimpse at the Sharks before the team embarks on its season-opening three-game road trip. The gates will open at 7:00 p.m. for the general public. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, though season ticket holders who wish to sit in their usual seats may enter the arena beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The Sharks' preseason kickoff weekend will continue the following day, as Burrito Gallery is set to host a meet and greet with Sharks players, coaches and the Attack Dance Team. At this event, fans will have the opportunity to get to know the 2013 Sharks before the season begins. More specific details about the meet and greet will be announced in the coming weeks.

Jacksonville Sharks Help Raise More Than $30,000 for Armed Forces Families Foundation

When the ArenaBowl XXIV Champion Jacksonville Sharks defeated the Iowa Barnstormers on Saturday, May 19, it was not only the team that emerged with a victory. On Military Appreciation Night, the Sharks and Taco Bell helped raise $30,151 to be donated to the Armed Forces Families Foundation. The Sharks will formally present their donation to AFFF during the team’s Saturday, July 14 game against the Orlando Predators.
Representatives from AFFF announced that the Sharks’ contribution will be used to directly support the foundation’s current project at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. This initiative includes the construction of two age-appropriate playgrounds, a renovation of the facility’s family pavilion and the addition of electricity and other amenities to the pavilion.
“This year’s Military Appreciation Night was a tremendous success,” Sharks Partner and Air Force Veteran Larry Payne said. “Thanks to the generosity of our fans and our partnership with Taco Bell, our contribution to AFFF will directly benefit many of the service personnel in our local community.”
A large portion of the donation came courtesy of the team’s postgame jersey auction. The Sharks wore unique digital camouflage jerseys on Military Appreciation Night, and following the game each player’s jersey was auctioned during the on-field postgame autograph session.
Beyond the auction, the Sharks spearheaded a number of other initiatives to increase the impact of the event. At SharkFest before the game, the team offered special Military Appreciation Night t-shirts in exchange for a small donation. The shirts sold out prior to the start of the game. The Attack Dance Team also accepted donations as they autographed their new military posters as fans entered the arena.
Proceeds from the auction and pregame initiatives totaled $18,021. In addition, Taco Bell aided the Sharks in boosting Military Appreciation Night by giving fans the opportunity to donate in exchange for a coupon for a free taco. Between all participating restaurant locations and Taco Bell’s display at SharkFest, this specific initiative generated an additional $12,130.
“The Sharks’ owners, support staff and players have been incredibly positive and supportive of this effort to help local military families,” local Taco Bell franchisee Thaddeus Foster said. “Their fans are amazing, and their support has made all the difference in completing this project.”
Foster added that the partnership with the Sharks was the most successful partnership that Taco Bell has had since beginning work with AFFF.

Sharks Offer Discount to Downtown Businesses

The ArenaBowl XXIV Champion Jacksonville Sharks announced Tuesday that the team is offering a special ticket promotion for businesses located in Downtown Jacksonville. Local business leaders will be able to purchase tickets for the Sharks' Friday, July 6 game against the Milwaukee Mustangs at the team's discounted group rate. The game will air live to a nationwide audience on NFL Network as part of the Arena Football League's "Net10 Arena Football Friday" series.
"Over the past three years, the Sharks have received tremendous support from the Jacksonville business community," Managing Partner Jeff Bouchy said. "We hope that local business leaders will take advantage of this offer to help show a national television audience how much our community stands behind the Sharks and the AFL as a whole."
Through this promotion, local businesses will have the chance to save up to 33% off single-game ticket pricing. A flyer detailing this offer will be distributed to local businesses through Downtown Vision, Inc., a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to build and maintain a healthy and vibrant Downtown community. Additionally, the flyer will be available through the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. The flyer contains specific information about pricing as well as detailed instructions on how to purchase tickets with the appropriate discount.
If you are part of a Downtown business that does not receive the flyer but would still like to enjoy the benefit of this offer, please contact the Sharks' ticket office by calling (904) 621-0700 during regular business hours.

New Orleans VooDoo To Host Halftime Dodgeball Match this Saturday

This Saturday, June 30, the New Orleans VooDoo and PLAYNOLA have teamed up once again for a 6-on-6 dodgeball match at halftime where the VooDoo will take on the Jacksonville Sharks. The halftime dodgeball game will feature the PLAYNOLA all-stars and local WGNO ABC 26 news personalities.
The VooDoo (7-7) and the Sharks (7-7) will kickoff at 7 p.m. on Saturday night in The Graveyard, with the halftime dodgeball game being another reason to come out and watch the VooDoo continue its march to the 2012 postseason.

Sharks Offer Happy Hour on Saturday Night

The ArenaBowl XXIV Champion Jacksonville Sharks announced Friday that the team will offer its first-ever "Sharks Happy Hour" prior to the team's Saturday game against the Cleveland Gladiators.
"Our fans constantly ask for a happy hour promotion, and this week we will deliver," Sharks Managing Partner Jeff Bouchy said. "We encourage fans to get to the arena early to take advantage of this offer by starting their night with the first-ever Sharks Happy Hour."
Sharks Happy Hour will last from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Saturday. During this time only, selected beers that are regularly priced at $7 will be on sale for $4 each. Kickoff for Saturday's game is set for 7:00 p.m.

Sharks Announce Support For SMG

The ArenaBowl XXIV Champion Jacksonville Sharks announced Monday their support for SMG, the current management company of the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, in their bid to retain the rights to oversee all operations of the arena.
“Larry Wilson, the General Manager of all the Jacksonville facilities and Robin Timothy, the Assistant General Manager of the arena have always been supportive of the Sharks and the Arena Football League,” Sharks Managing Partner Jeff Bouchy said Monday. “Under their leadership, the Sharks have been able to thrive in this community and SMG has become a true partner with us in every sense of the word.
“SMG is a big reason that arena football is here,” Bouchy added. “They understand that our growth is tied to their growth, and they really attempt to accommodate us in every way to ensure that the Sharks are here for years to come. It is always imperative that our franchise and arena management have a great working relationship, which we have with SMG. We stand behind them in their bid 100%.”
The ArenaBowl XXIV Champion Jacksonville Sharks announced Monday their support for SMG, the current management company of the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, in their bid to retain the rights to oversee all operations of the arena.
“Larry Wilson, the General Manager of all the Jacksonville facilities and Robin Timothy, the Assistant General Manager of the arena have always been supportive of the Sharks and the Arena Football League,” Sharks Managing Partner Jeff Bouchy said Monday. “Under their leadership, the Sharks have been able to thrive in this community and SMG has become a true partner with us in every sense of the word.
“SMG is a big reason that arena football is here,” Bouchy added. “They understand that our growth is tied to their growth, and they really attempt to accommodate us in every way to ensure that the Sharks are here for years to come. It is always imperative that our franchise and arena management have a great working relationship, which we have with SMG. We stand behind them in their bid 100%.”

Sharks and Preds Set for National Showcase

The ArenaBowl XXIV Champion Jacksonville Sharks have faced the Orlando Predators more often than any other opponent. The two teams will meet for the first time in 2012 on Friday night, squaring off at Amway Center in Orlando in a game that will air live on NFL Network as part of “Net10 Arena Football Friday.” Kickoff for Friday night’s game is set for 8:00 p.m.
This will be the seventh overall meeting between the two squads in a little more than two calendar years. In the Sharks’ previous two seasons in the Arena Football league, Jacksonville and Orlando played twice in each regular season and met in the first round of the playoffs in both 2010 and 2011. Jacksonville holds a 3-1 edge in the regular-season series, while the teams have split their two postseason matchups.
Friday’s contest marks the first of three consecutive divisional games for the Sharks. Entering this week of action, Jacksonville sits at 4-5, just a game and a half behind first-place Georgia (6-4) and a half-game behind the 5-5 Tampa Bay Storm. With the Sharks set to play the Storm (June 2) and Force (June 9) after this week’s game, this upcoming stretch could prove pivotal in the South Division.
Jacksonville will do its best to build on last weekend’s dominating defensive performance in the team’s 55-19 home win over the Iowa Barnstormers. In that game, the Sharks set a new franchise record for fewest points allowed in a game and became the first AFL team to hold an opponent under 20 points since May of 2010. The Shark defense generated constant pressure on Barnstormer quarterback Chris Dieker, recording three sacks and four turnovers.
The many defensive highlights from last week’s game included Micheaux Robinson’s two first-half interceptions and a third-quarter play in which Scooter Berry sacked Dieker from the blind side and forced a fumble that was recovered and returned for a touchdown by nose guard Jeff Littlejohn.
A rookie from West Virginia, Berry has emerged as one of the Sharks’ top pass rushers, racking up a sack in four of the last six games. Overall, Berry leads the team with five sacks in 2012. The Shark front four should get a boost this week from Jabari Fletcher, who recently joined the team after being acquired in a trade with the Arizona Rattlers.
On offense, quarterback Bernard Morris is set to make his third consecutive start after replacing an injured Omar Jacobs in Week 9 against New Orleans. Last Saturday against Iowa, Morris enjoyed his most efficient game of the 2012 season, as he had four touchdown passes, no turnovers and just six incompletions.
Morris was helped on one of those four touchdowns by Terrance Smith, who out-jumped two Barnstormer defenders to catch a pass that deflected high off the rebound net for a touchdown in the first quarter. Smith continues to produce as he has all season, as he now leads the team with 20 touchdown receptions and 25 touchdowns overall. Moreover, Smith has been consistent throughout the season, crossing the goal line at least two times in eight of the team’s nine games.
Smith and the Shark offense will need to be on point this week as they match up against a Predator team that ranks second in the league in scoring defense (50.2 points per game).