GARRITY NAMED NLL EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR 
JORDAN NAMED TICKET SALES EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
SWARM ATTENDANCE INCREASED BY 2,000 FANS PER GAME

   SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The National Lacrosse League (NLL) announced today that Minnesota Swarm President Tom Garrity has been named NLL Executive of the Year and Joel Jordan has been named Ticket Sales Executive of the Year.

    The Swarm set a single season attendance record as 91,247 fans attended their eight regular season home games in 2008 for an average attendance of 11,405.  Minnesota’s average attendance in 2008 was exactly 2,000 better than the club’s 9,405 average in 2007.  The increase of 2,000 fans per game was the largest in the NLL this season and marked the second straight season the Swarm has increased its average attendance.  Minnesota’s attendance has risen 36% from an average of 8,372 fans per game in 2006 to 11,405 in 2008.

    The Swarm finished the regular season with a franchise best 10 wins and finished second in the East Division.  Over 11,000 fans watched Minnesota’s first-ever home playoff game, an 11-8 loss to the New York Titans on May 3 at Xcel Energy Center.

    Garrity, 44 (1/8/64), is in his second season as President and Governor of the Minnesota Swarm and first season as Vice President of Corporate Sales and Service for Minnesota Sports and Entertainment (MSE).  In this role, Garrity continues his duties as President of the Houston Aeros hockey club, the primary developmental affiliate of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, and is also responsible for overseeing the Wild’s Corporate Sales and Service and Suite Sales and Service projects.

    Garrity was named the NLL Marketing Executive of the Year in 2007 as the franchise increased average attendance by more than 1,000 fans per game and established a new club record for single-game attendance when 14,144 fans attended its April 14 season finale against the Arizona Sting. 
   
    His successful 15-year career in sports administration and sales has also included occupation with the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Minnesota North Stars and Dallas Stars, the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Minnesota Timberwolves, Major League Soccer’s (MLS) San Jose Clash and at the collegiate level with the University of Minnesota.

    Jordan is in his third season with the Swarm and second in New Business Development.  He started as a ticket sales intern in 2006 and was the Swarm’s top salesperson in 2008.  His hard work and dedication to the Swarm are a big reason behind the team’s average attendance increasing in each of the past two seasons.

    For more information on Swarm season tickets call 888-MNSWARM or info@mnswarm.com.