(WINDSOR, ON) The Windsor Express held a press conference today at the St. Denis Centre, University of Windsor. They officially welcomed Isaac Kuon back home and to the Windsor Express.
Dartis Willis, President and CEO of Windsor Express talked about his interaction with Isaac from last season’s All- Star game. He said Isaac understood very early on that nothing was given to him, everything must be earned. Mr. Willis said, “It really begin to hit home that we had the opportunity to bring home, not only a kid with a great attitude but, a kid with a great level of skill; someone that understood what professional basketball is all about. Isaac was a leader on his team and stepped right up to help his team get into the play-offs. We were really excited about some of the things he accomplished in such a small amount of time. We attribute that to self determination and what the coach instilled in him.” Mr. Willis ended stating, “Isaac gives the average kid hopes of playing professional basketball in their city with The National Basketball League of Canada. There is great talent not only in Canada but, right here in Windsor.”
Chris Oliver, head coach of the Men’s Lancers team at the University of Windsor thanked Mr. Willis and the Windsor Express for bringing this “wonderful opportunity to the basketball program and community as well.” Coach Oliver went on to tell a short story of when he first found out Isaac was coming to Windsor by way of some of his former coaches and teachers, “basically saying that he would have no chance of graduating. He wasn’t capable of getting that done.” Coach Oliver went on, “The two proudest moments of my life with Isaac were seeing him graduate from college and seeing him get his Canadian citizenship finally and both of those things happened last year. They happened because of some of the hard work from people in this community.” Then, he passed the reigns to Coach Jones.
A condition of Coach Jones’s contract was a promise from Windsor Express to do everything they could to bring Isaac Kuon back home. “I met Isaac last Thursday and he is a tremendous kid.” He went on, “Coach Oliver got him to this point, now it’s my job to go ahead and develop him and get him to reach what his ultimate goal is and that’s to reach his full potential as a professional basketball player.”
Isaac said he didn’t write a speech for the occasion but, showed some heartfelt gratitude to the Coach Oliver. He said, “When I came here, I told Coach Oliver I wanted to play professional basketball.” Coach capitalized on Isaac’s potential and work ethic spending extra hours and Saturdays conditioning him to reach his goal. Isaac realizes that his main achievement was not being drafted but, developing as a person due to the time and effort given him by the Windsor community. “The people took me in as their adopted son. They really supported me. That support afforded me the chance to be better on the court and obviously to graduate,” he continued gratefully. As for his new role with the team he said, “I’m very excited to be with the Windsor Express. I can take what I learned from the Millrats and help this team. I am a veteran now.” Isaac told the room about the conversations he and Mr. Willis had saying they had to, “Make sure that we get guys that are not Prima Donnas; not afraid to get out into the community. I learned that from Coach Oliver. He had us helping out in the community quite often.” Isaac gave recognition to a fellow Lancer’s professional basketball aspirations before stepping off to the side to answer questions from the media.
Windsor Express will play their opening game at the WFCU Centre on November 2, 2012 against last season’s Championship runner up, the Halifax Rainmen.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
WINDSOR WINS!
Congrats to the WMHA Novice AA team sponsored by Accurate Embroidery & Screen Printing on winning the Orangeville tournament this past weekend.
Game #1. - Windsor 5 - Orangeville 2
Game #2. - Windsor 6 - Guelph 3
Semi finals - Windsor 6 - Orangeville 4
Finals - Windsor 3 - Caledon 1
Great job by Head coach Ryan Gouin and his staff & players
Keep Hockey Growing!
Dean Lapierre
President
Windsor Minor Hockey &
Local 200 FHL Jr
Game #1. - Windsor 5 - Orangeville 2
Game #2. - Windsor 6 - Guelph 3
Semi finals - Windsor 6 - Orangeville 4
Finals - Windsor 3 - Caledon 1
Great job by Head coach Ryan Gouin and his staff & players
Keep Hockey Growing!
Dean Lapierre
President
Windsor Minor Hockey &
Local 200 FHL Jr
Friday, September 7, 2012
WINDSOR EXPRESS IS SEARCHING FOR DANCERS TO JOIN THE TEAM
(WINDSOR, ON) The Windsor Express Professional Basketball Team will hold open auditions for their Female Dance Team for the upcoming 2012-2013 season on September 16, 2012.
Dartis Willis, President and CEO, decided, “We have to have a Professional Dance Team that can keep the crowd entertained just as well as the basketball players, if not more”. Mr. Willis believes the dance team is an aspect that is vital to the entertainment component of the game. Mr. Willis has hired Northstar Cheer to recruit, train, and choreograph routines for the dance team. He stated, “After their stunning performance at our first press conference, we wanted to be on their team”.
Chris Mendes, General Manager for The Windsor Express said, “We are expecting a huge response, over 300 ladies. We want the public to get involved. Local judges will help decide who makes the final cut down to 10 ladies”.
Connie Day, coordinator of events for Northstar Cheer, is very excited about putting together the dance team. She said, “The ladies will have to be good communicators, outgoing, and beautiful inside and out. They will need to possess a desire to help the community because when it boils down to it, that’s what it’s all about; what positive impact can your role have on others”. Connie says she plans to help the girls “build their dossier” so they can be their own brand. “Our expectations are high,” she remarked, “But, we plan to develop them in ways they would not have imagined.”
Connie used to be a dancer with a company that was started by Cheryl McCurdy, owner of Northstar Cheer. She has several years of experience coordinating multifaceted events. The candidates must be able to attend both auditions. There will be a mixer for the ladies and judges after Open Auditions, 9.16.12. Final Call back is the evening of the Invite Only Audition, 9.23.12 and will be open for the public to help determine the final 10. The team is looking for a venue to host the Final Call Back event.
Open Auditions
Cost: $15 Online $20 Same day {12Noon}
Time: 1:00PM – 4:00PM EST
Date: Sunday, September 16, 2012
Location: Northstar Cheer
5590 Outer Drive North Unit #2
Windsor, Ontario N9A 4H7
Invite Only Audition
Time: 1:00PM – 4:00PM EST
Date: Sunday, September 23, 2012
Location: Northstar Cheer
5590 Outer Drive North Unit #2
Windsor, Ontario N9A 4H7
Dartis Willis, President and CEO, decided, “We have to have a Professional Dance Team that can keep the crowd entertained just as well as the basketball players, if not more”. Mr. Willis believes the dance team is an aspect that is vital to the entertainment component of the game. Mr. Willis has hired Northstar Cheer to recruit, train, and choreograph routines for the dance team. He stated, “After their stunning performance at our first press conference, we wanted to be on their team”.
Chris Mendes, General Manager for The Windsor Express said, “We are expecting a huge response, over 300 ladies. We want the public to get involved. Local judges will help decide who makes the final cut down to 10 ladies”.
Connie Day, coordinator of events for Northstar Cheer, is very excited about putting together the dance team. She said, “The ladies will have to be good communicators, outgoing, and beautiful inside and out. They will need to possess a desire to help the community because when it boils down to it, that’s what it’s all about; what positive impact can your role have on others”. Connie says she plans to help the girls “build their dossier” so they can be their own brand. “Our expectations are high,” she remarked, “But, we plan to develop them in ways they would not have imagined.”
Connie used to be a dancer with a company that was started by Cheryl McCurdy, owner of Northstar Cheer. She has several years of experience coordinating multifaceted events. The candidates must be able to attend both auditions. There will be a mixer for the ladies and judges after Open Auditions, 9.16.12. Final Call back is the evening of the Invite Only Audition, 9.23.12 and will be open for the public to help determine the final 10. The team is looking for a venue to host the Final Call Back event.
Open Auditions
Cost: $15 Online $20 Same day {12Noon}
Time: 1:00PM – 4:00PM EST
Date: Sunday, September 16, 2012
Location: Northstar Cheer
5590 Outer Drive North Unit #2
Windsor, Ontario N9A 4H7
Invite Only Audition
Time: 1:00PM – 4:00PM EST
Date: Sunday, September 23, 2012
Location: Northstar Cheer
5590 Outer Drive North Unit #2
Windsor, Ontario N9A 4H7
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
WFCU CENTRE: THE OFFICIAL HOME OF THE WINDSOR EXPRESS
(WINDSOR, ON) City Council approved the Lease to make WFCU Centre home of The Windsor Express last night.
Chris Mendes, General Manager for the Windsor Express, showed his gratitude, “I would like to thank City Council and Administration for all of their support on their decision to allow us go forward with the WFCU lease as well as the basketball floor. The investment will surely get put to good use in this community. Our plan is to involve this community as much as possible, whether it be volunteering at community events, talking to kids, or shooting hoops with our fans. We want to assure you that our plan is to extend our contract after our successful first season, and look forward to the many successful seasons in the Windsor community”.
Dartis Willis, President and CEO, excitedly commented, “The city recognized what we had been trying to profess since we set our sights on Windsor last year as a franchise opportunity. With this partnership, our dreams are coming into fruition for the team and the people of Windsor alike”.
The Windsor Express will play the premier game for the National Basketball League of Canada’s 2012-2013 season on November 2, 2012 at the WFCU Center against the Halifax Rainmen, 2011-2012 season championship’s first runner up.
Chris Mendes, General Manager for the Windsor Express, showed his gratitude, “I would like to thank City Council and Administration for all of their support on their decision to allow us go forward with the WFCU lease as well as the basketball floor. The investment will surely get put to good use in this community. Our plan is to involve this community as much as possible, whether it be volunteering at community events, talking to kids, or shooting hoops with our fans. We want to assure you that our plan is to extend our contract after our successful first season, and look forward to the many successful seasons in the Windsor community”.
Dartis Willis, President and CEO, excitedly commented, “The city recognized what we had been trying to profess since we set our sights on Windsor last year as a franchise opportunity. With this partnership, our dreams are coming into fruition for the team and the people of Windsor alike”.
The Windsor Express will play the premier game for the National Basketball League of Canada’s 2012-2013 season on November 2, 2012 at the WFCU Center against the Halifax Rainmen, 2011-2012 season championship’s first runner up.
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