News - 12/08/2003

arenafootball2 - Laredo Law

Laredo af2 Team to be Named the 'Law'

Laredo will lay down the af2 "Law" this spring

LAREDO, Texas - Laredo Football Holdings announced Saturday night at the Laredo Entertainment Center that their new entrant into arenafootball2 this spring will be called the Laredo Law. Season tickets are available starting as low as $80. For more information contact the Laredo Law office at (956) 726-GAME (4263).

In front of a raucous crowd at a Laredo Bucks game at the LEC the name and potential logo were announced amid smoke and pyrotechnics during the second intermission.

“There is a new brand of law in town, the Laredo Law,” said Law President John Beckelhymer.

The logo, which is still awaiting league approval, features seven points, the points represent the seven flags of Laredo. The middle of the logo features an overlapping double L which represents a brand honoring the rich cattle history of the Gateway city. The logo is designed to represent an old west Marshall badge. The team colors are black, branding iron red and tan suede.

“Laredo has a long and distinguished history and we felt this name really captured the spirit of the old west along the border,” said Beckelhymer. “This name was selected in part to honor the men and woman who serve and protect us day in and day out. The Laredo Law will play with that same intensity, class and perseverance each game. There is no doubt that justice will be served on the field.”

The team ran a contest inviting the public to submit name suggestions for the team. Thousands of names were suggested, but the name “Law” stood out.

The winner of the name the team contest was Felix R. Tellez. Tellez is a lieutenant with the Laredo Police Department.

The Laredo Law will play a 16-game regular season, with eight games at home, beginning in late March of 2004. Laredo will have a natural rival as Rio Grande Valley will also field an expansion team this season at the Dodge Arena.

In four short seasons the af2 has doubled in size from 15 teams to nearly 30. arenafootball2 promotes a fan friendly attitude with autograph sessions on the field for the home team after each game. The af2 and the AFL strictly adhere to a Fans Bill of Rights which is unique to any major sport. The Fans Bill of Rights includes: every fan is entitled to a wholesome environment for guests and family members, free of violence, profane gestures and language or rude and invasive behavior that could in any way interfere with a first-class entertainment experience; every fan demands that we maintain absolute respect for the game of Arena Football and maintain the integrity of the finest of fair competition at all times; every Fan deserves our very best effort on a consistent basis, on every play on the field, every action in the stands, every call to our office, and every involvement in our community.

Laredo Bucks season tickets holders will have the first right to purchase their seats for the af2 season. For ticket information contact the Laredo Law office at (956) 726-GAME (4263).

Laredo af2 name, 'Law' receives mixed reaction

by Racquel Torres

The name of Laredo's arena2football franchise, slated to begin play this April, was unveiled during the Laredo Bucks dramatic 4-3 win over the Colorado Eagles Saturday night at the Laredo Entertainment Center. Laredo's new af2 team will now be known as the Laredo Law.

The 7,184 fans in attendance for the Bucks game and the announcement at the LEC broke out into a few cheers, but the cheers were quickly drowned out by an overwhelming outpour of boos.

The Laredo Football Holdings group that owns the af2 franchise held a contest to name the team that was open to the public.

Laredo Football Holdings reports that thousands of names were submitted but the name the "Law" stood out.

The winner of the contest was Felix R. Tellez, is a lieutenant with the Laredo Police Department.

Tellez won two lifetime season tickets and was awarded a $500 cash prize after the was name unveiled.

The Law will be coached by El Paso native Scott Maynard.

Training camp will begin March 17, and the Law will play a 16-game schedule that features eight home and away games.

The Law's logo is a badge with seven points that represent the seven flags of Laredo.

Of the teams' name and logo Maynard said, " I like it. I think it's very fitting. It's a good name and the logo is nice.

Maynard added of the upcoming season and his time in Laredo thus far, "I'm looking forward to it and I'm sure the fans are going to enjoy it...I like Laredo a lot. It's a lot like home in El Paso. I like the weather; I'm used to it. The people have also been very supportive and friendly. It's going to be an exciting time for Laredo, the fans and the community," Maynard concluded.

Laredo will have a common rival with the Rio Grande af2 expansion team that is also set to begin play this season at the Dodge Arena.

The Law's season tickets went on sale immediately after the Bucks game Saturday night.

Bucks season ticket holders have until Dec. 31 to retain their seats for af2 play. For more ticket information contact the Laredo Law office at 956-726-GAME (4263).

The Law's season tickets began at $80 each and run to $480 for all eight games.

Single game tickets will go on sale about a month prior to the af2 opener.