National Basketball Development League - Columbus Riverdragons

Columbus Riverdragons Unveil New Team Logo

Team Logo to Illustrate Relationship with Fort Benning

COLUMBUS, GA.--The Columbus Riverdragons are excited to unveil their new team logo which will be used throughout all Riverdragons team materials, including team uniforms. The logo, designed by league partner Reebok, consists of three chevrons above a depiction of a dragon emerging from a river, contained in a rank insignia. All NBDL teams will unveil new logos this season as part of an effort to solidify their relationships with their surrounding communities.

"The Riverdragons continue to enjoy great support from the 3rd infantry at Fort Benning, and this new logo reflects that," said Team President J. Barry McMullin. "We highly esteem our relationship with Fort Benning and the military; this logo provides us with various options to tie in with them. Almost everyone in the Chattahoochee Valley area has military ties of some kind, and our desire is that our logo will both express our connection to the military and act as a reminder of those currently serving our nation."

For the past two years, soldiers' presence has been a major factor in the Riverdragons experience, for both the team and the fans. It is estimated that 25% of Riverdragons attendance has been from soldiers and their families stationed at Fort Benning.

"It is great when a group of soldiers come to one of our games," said McMullin. "They bring an energy to the arena that is unparalleled. The fans love it and the team loves it. Our logo is an attempt to return that favor and publicly acknowledge our gratitude to the soldiers in the community."

The Riverdragons are continuing to develop their relationship with Fort Benning. In addition to the logo, the team is planning to host a regular-season game in Audi Murphy Gym at Fort Benning, as well as hosting multiple Military Appreciation Nights in the Columbus Civic Center.

The NBDL, the NBA's minor league, includes the Fayetteville Patriots (N.C.), Charleston Lowgators (S.C.), Huntsville Flight (Ala.), Roanoke Dazzle (Va.), Columbus Riverdragons (Ga.), and Asheville Altitude (N.C.).

The league offers players the opportunity to develop their talent in a highly competitive atmosphere under the NBA's umbrella. Eighteen NBDL players representing 22 callups, three coaches and three game officials have been called up to the NBA since the start of the league's inaugural season in November 2001.

Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the NBDL serves as a source of on-court talent for the NBA's 30 teams and as a diverse human resources pool for the NBA and its teams by training employees in management, operations, public relations, sales and marketing positions.

The Riverdragons open their 2003-04 home schedule on Friday, November 28th at the Columbus Civic Center against the Asheville Altitude. For more information, log on to www.columbusriverdragons.com or call Riverdragons Media Relations Manager Tim Becwar at 706-225-1104.

This article was taken from www.nba.com/nbdl/columbus/.  All rights reserved.