[StBernard] St. Bernard Parish Night at the Hornets game supports the team's attendance goals

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish Night at the Hornets game supports the team's attendance
goals

Local children part of opening ceremony on court with players 

and greet players in the Half-Time Tunnel; 

President Craig Taffaro recognized at half-time as team thanks parish for
its efforts

 

When St. Bernard Parish President Craig P. Taffaro, Jr. sponsored St.
Bernard Parish Night at the Hive Monday, January 24 for the heart-pounding,
fantastic match-up between the Hornets and Oklahoma City Thunder, the
Hornets weren't the only winners in the New Orleans Arena when the game
ended with a breath-taking finishing shot for a score of 91-89. 

 

Some of the children whose families purchased through the event were able to
stand in front of the players on the court for the singing of the National
Anthem in the pre-game show. Additionally, a group of local children were
able to five high fives to the players and coaches as they exited the locker
rooms to return to the court after half time.

 

St. Bernard Parish President Craig P. Taffaro said it was a fun event and it
was good to be part of helping the Hornets make their attendance goals. 

 

"We are pleased to have been part of assuring that the Hornets are here for
at least another year,"
said Taffaro. "We look forward to continuing to find a long term solution to
keep the New Orleans Hornets home." The event generated more than 100 in
ticket sales. 

 

A portion of each ticketed purchased will be donated to FUEL, the St.
Bernard program started by President Taffaro that sponsors activities for
middle and high school students. Additionally, Taffaro donated "St. Bernard
SWARMS the HIVE" t-shirts for all those who bought a ticket as part of the
event. St. Bernard Parish provided two buses to enable residents to attend
the event. 

 

Taffaro was part of Governor Bobby Jindal's pre-game press conference Monday
with key Hornets officials and key area leaders where it was announced that
the Hornets met attendance goals of the 14,735 game average required in the
team's lease to keep them in New Orleans for another year.

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