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Family Circle Cup 35th Anniversary Kick-Off Event to Feature Player Appearances and Fireworks

CHARLESTON, SC (March 4, 2008) -– For 35 years, the Family Circle Cup has set a standard of excellence as a premier event on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. In recognition of this impressive tenure, the Family Circle Cup’s 35th Anniversary Celebration will formally commence with legendary tennis commentator Bud Collins welcoming the entire 2008 player field onto Family Circle Magazine Stadium court to greet the fans in a special ceremony at 6:00pm on Tuesday, April 15th. Collins will emcee this unique evening that will feature a variety of special activities and conclude with the Family Circle Cup’s first ever fireworks display, as well as a host of other events throughout the tournament. The Family Circle Cup, America’s only Tier I clay court event, is scheduled April 12-20, 2008 at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Family Circle Cup’s 35th Anniversary Celebration will officially kick-off with many special activities never before offered to its fans at 6:00pm on Tuesday, April 15th, presenting an action-packed experience from start to finish throughout the night session. Fans are encouraged to be seated in Family Circle Magazine Stadium promptly at 6:00pm for a rousing fanfare performance from the Burke High School marching band, one of Charleston’s most colorful high school bands. Immediately after the band exits the stadium in parade style, famed columnist and tennis commentator Bud Collins will take the stage and welcome the entire 2008 Family Circle Cup player field as he formally introduces each player to the fans in attendance. Following the player introductions, a commemorative video will create a memorable look back at the many incredible Family Circle Cup moments etched in history. In addition to these on-court tennis activities, The Citadel Color Guard will present colors as a prelude to a special military salute recognizing the men and women who valiantly defend our great country.

Coinciding with our 35th Anniversary Kick-Off Celebration is our “Ladies Night Out” promotion sponsored by The Post and Courier. Between the evening session matches, The Post and Courier will present an entertaining “Queen of the Court” activity emceed by Bud Collins. To conclude the Family Circle Cup’s 35th Anniversary Celebration kick-off extravaganza, a thrilling fireworks display will entertain fans of all ages and cap off a perfect night under the stars. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com, charge-by-phone at (843) 554-6060, and at local Publix outlets.

“We’ve designed this exciting kick-off celebration to thank our fans for their dedication and support of the Family Circle Cup throughout our 35 year history, and to recognize this important milestone in women’s professional tennis,” commented Robin Reynolds, Family Circle Cup Tournament Director. “Our fans are in for a special treat as they enjoy Bud Collins’ unique energy, our entire player field together in the stadium, world class tennis on the court, and a fireworks show at the end of the evening.”

As part of the tournament’s 35th anniversary, Bud Collins will be at the tournament throughout the week serving in a variety of capacities either on the court or at special tournament events. Known for his colorful wardrobe and unique nicknames for players, Collins is synonymous with professional tennis and has worked in the media since 1963 when he began his newspaper career at The Boston Globe. His has covered tennis on network television since 1968 and has appeared on both CBS and NBC. Collins called the inaugural 1973 Family Circle Cup final from the NBC booth, the first women’s match to be televised on national network television, and every televised Family Circle Cup match that followed until NBC’s final broadcast of this event in 1998.

The 2008 Family Circle Cup will be held April 12th-20th at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston, South Carolina. The Family Circle Tennis Center is a public facility owned by the City of Charleston and operated by Family Circle Magazine that hosts a variety of events including concerts, festivals, tennis events and other special activities throughout the year. With over 21 million readers, Family Circle is one of the most widely read monthly magazines in America and is one of 14 leading subscription magazines owned by Meredith Corporation. The Tennis Center features a 10,200 seat stadium, a Grand Lawn, 17 tennis courts lighted for night play, a beach tennis court, a racquet club featuring a full service pro shop, and locker room facilities. Ticket packages, individual session tickets, business hospitality options, and sponsorship opportunities are now available. For more information on the Family Circle Cup or Tennis Center, please call (843) 856-7900 or visit us on-line at www.familycirclecup.com.

Posted on March 4, 2008
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