Join the Dayton Gems for Faith and Family Night!

Former NFL Star E.J. Junior To Speak At The Upcoming Dayton Gems Faith & Family Night

“Gems hosting speaker, live postgame concert and weeble wobbler giveaway this Saturday night at Hara”

Dayton, OH – The Dayton Gems professional hockey team, a proud member of the “AA” Central Hockey League, released details on their upcoming Faith & Family Night this Saturday, February 18 when the Gems host the Bloomington Blaze on Cassano's Italian Ice inside Hara Arena. Faith & Family Night 2012 is presented by OinkAdoodleMoo Smoky BBQ.

For the second season, the Gems will feature a faith-based evening inside Hara Arena, including a special motivational speaker and a postgame concert featuring faith-based blues rock band Reece Lincoln Band.

Making a special appearance for Saturday's event, former NFL star and current Central State University head coach E.J. Junior will present a pregame talk to the fans inside Hara Arena, while being available throughout the evening to meet and obtain an autograph. Drafted fifth overall in the 1981 NFL entry draft, Junior would go on to a successful career as a member of the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks before beginning his coaching career with Seattle.

Named the 13th head coach in Central State's history in March 2009, the former Alabama All-American and NFL Pro Bowler will speak to the crowd prior to the Gems game regarding his faith and how it relates to his successful career. Junior will begin his speech around 6:15pm in the Hara Conference Center and will include a question and answer session before he drops the ceremonial first puck to begin the action on the ice at 7pm. Fans will also have the opportunity to meet E.J. Junior and grab autographs during the first intermission inside Lefty's Lounge.

In addition to E.J. Junior, the Gems will hold a free postgame concert featuring local faith-based band Reece Lincoln Band. Reece Lincoln Band was recently named the winner of the first annual Dayton Gems “Battle of the Bands” competition, with fans choosing them to perform immediately following the Gems game in Lefty's Lounge as well as the Grand Prize which includes Gems tickets, merchandise and $250 in cash.

Saturday night also marks one of the most anticipated giveaways of the season, as the first 500 fans through the gates starting at 6pm will receive a limited edition Gems mascot Blade “Weeble Wobbler”, the colorful toy that doesn't topple over!

The Gems are also extending a special ticket offer to the area's faith community, with fans showing any church bulletin to the Hara Arena box office on gameday to receive $4 off a center ice zone ticket.

Tickets to Saturday night's Faith & Family Night are available now by calling the Gems ticket office at 275-7777 or by visiting www.DaytonGems.com. Special group pricing is available for groups of ten or more, call for details.

The Kettering Medical Center is the official presenting sponsor of the Dayton Gems.