FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 28, 2001
Contact: Bryan Dolgin, Director of Media & Public Relations
843-918-6016
Saunders Named Pelicans’ GM
MYRTLE BEACH, SC — Gary Saunders is the new General Manager of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Professional Baseball Club. Saunders advanced from his post as the team’s Assistant General Manager & Director of Ticket Sales. He will continue his management of the ticket department through the remainder of the 2001 season.
Steve Malliet resigned from the Pelicans’ GM post on May 11 after accepting a similar position with the Joliet (IL) Jackhammers of the independent Northern League. Malliet has stayed on with the Pelicans through Capitol Broadcasting Company’s search for a new GM, and Malliet’s final day is July 13. Matt Harris will continue his role as the Pelicans’ Assistant General Manager & Director of Corporate Sales, but he will now be the team’s sole Assistant GM.
Saunders has been employed with the Pelicans since February of ’98, over a year before the very first pitch was thrown in April of ’99. He held the director of ticket sales title since joining the team and was promoted to the assistant GM position in November of ’99. The 2001 season marks his ninth in professional baseball administration having worked with affiliated teams in Springfield, IL and Asheville, NC as well as independent teams in Meridian, MS and Mobile, AL.
Saunders is a graduate of Virginia Tech. He and his wife Eileen reside in Surfside Beach, SC with their two sons, Travis and Austin. For more information, Gary Saunders can be contacted at 843-918-6014. Steve Malliet can be contacted at 843-918-6010. Capitol Sports Executive Vice-President George Habel can be contacted at 919-687-6531.
Quote – Jim Goodmon, President & Chief Executive Officer of Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc.: “Gary has been with us from the very start, and he played a major role in the Pelicans’ very successful debut. He knows the staff, is involved in the community and understands the market. I’m pleased with the continuity of this management change. It’s very positive for our team and the fans at Coastal Federal Field.”
The Pelicans begin a three-game home stand versus the Potomac Cannons tonight at 7:05 PM. The first 1,000 fans will receive Collector’s Baseball #2 courtesy of Myrtle Beach Key Attractions/Broadway At The Beach. It’s also Budweiser Thirsty Thursday! There will be dollar drafts from 5:30-8:00 on the Bud Light Berm. Fans have a chance to win a brand new Mercedes Benz thanks to Johnson Agency/Nationwide Insurance in the “Pitch’n Win Car Giveaway.” For tickets, please call 843-918-6000, order on-line at www.myrtlebeachpelicans.com or stop at the Coastal Federal Field ticket office.
The Pelicans also have announced that Strand Regional Specialty Associates (SRSA) will continue to be the “Official Team Doctors” for the third consecutive season. SRSA specialize in orthopaedic surgery, sports medicine, neurological surgery, neurology, opthalmology, plastic and reconstructive surgery. Their partnership with the Pelicans includes advertising on the team’s radio broadcasting, stadium signage, print advertising and sponsorship of promotional giveaways. SRSA can be contacted at 843-449-2336.
The Pelicans will continue riding in style to the seven other Carolina League cities. Sunway Charters & Tours will provide the Pelicans with their team bus for the third consecutive season. Their Van Hool 900 Series buses are equipped with reclining seats, extra leg-room, air-conditioning, televisions, a VCR, and a restroom. Sunway has been operating in the Myrtle Beach area for the last 25 years. Sunway can be contacted at 843-293-1773.
The Pelicans’ Director of Corporate Sales, Matt Harris, can be contacted for additional information at 843-918-6012 or mharris@mb-baseball.com.
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans quest for a “three-peat” as the Carolina League’s Champion begins on April 6 versus the Winston-Salem Warthogs. Season ticket packages and group tickets are on sale now. Individual game tickets will be available for purchase on Saturday, March 10 beginning at 10 AM at Coastal Federal Field. The Pelicans’ ticket office can be contacted at 843-918-6000 or e-mail us at the team at info@myrtlebeachpelicans.com.
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAL-Digital, WRAL-FM, Microspace, the North Carolina News Network, DTV Plus, Wolfpack Sports Marketing, and Capitol Sports Management in Raleigh, NC; WJZY-TV and WFVT-TV in Charlotte, NC; WILM-TV in Wilmington, NC; WRAZ-TV and the Durham Bulls Baseball Club in Durham, NC; and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Baseball Club in Myrtle Beach, SC; Capitol Broadcasting Company also founded Local TV on Satellite in Raleigh, NC.
