Albany, NY – The Albany FireWolves Professional Lacrosse Club have enjoyed an incredible 2023-24 National Lacrosse League (NLL) season as they have clinched a playoff berth in a complete turnaround from finishing the previous season in last place. The Capital Region community has responded by rallying around them this year at home games with loud and engaged crowds at MVP Arena.
In their third NLL season in Albany, the FireWolves and Albany FireWolves Foundation are proud to be able to reciprocate that loyalty by giving back to the fans and to the Capital Region community through service and support.
The FireWolves play nine regular season home games, but the team’s impact in the community is present throughout the year as they work to build relationships with as many people as they can in the Albany area and be a part of something bigger than just sports. The FireWolves players, coaches, front office staff, and Wolf Pack Dance Team have made it a priority to dedicate their time to support businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout the region so they can work together to build a thriving community.
“The FireWolves and Albany FireWolves Foundation take a lot of pride in being a part of the Capital Region community,” said Jaden Krueger Director of Game Presentation for the FireWolves. “We are only in our third season, which, in the grand scheme of things, means we are still fairly new to the area. It’s important for us to get out in the region and be involved with all of these different organizations to show our support and commitment to the causes they represent. We’ve supported organizations that focus on youth development, health and wellness, boxing out hunger, promoting mental strength, and providing meals for the less fortunate. It has been really encouraging to see that support reciprocated back to us at our home games.”
The FireWolves have made over 45 visits to organizations this season including the Ronald McDonald House of the Capital Region, Capital City Rescue Mission, U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal, The Regional Food Bank, Albany Parks & Recreation, Homes For Orphaned Pets Exist (H.O.P.E.) Adoption Clinic, and Price Chopper Supermarkets with even more visits planned this Spring.
If you want to get your organization involved please reach out to Jaden Krueger at: jaden@albanyfirewolves.com
This season, the Albany FireWolves Foundation has been very active with donations to over 25 organizations of checks, In-Kind donations, and tickets to support their initiatives and help them achieve their goals. The AFW Foundation has made donations to the RED Bookshelf, Ndakinna Education Center, the Mechanicville Community Center, United Way of the Capital Region, Bethlehem Traditional Irish Dance, the Social Enterprise and Training (SEAT), Center Beyond the Spectrum (BOTS), Iroquois Museum, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Shaker Lacrosse, Columbia Lacrosse, Burnt Hills Ballston Spa Jr. Spartans, Colonie Baseball, Josephs House Troy, YMCA -Champions of Hope, Food Pantries of Capital District, and other organizations all over Albany.
You can support the AFW Foundation through the online auctions throughout the entire year, participating in the 50/50 at each of the team’s home games, and participating in the Foundations annual golf outing on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.
“The Albany FireWolves Foundation is proud to support the Capital Region in all that we do,” said Chris Porreca President of the Albany FireWolves. “We aim to go beyond the field of play with our dedication to the entire community through donations, school visits, events, and more. We hope to continue to ignite passion for purpose, utilize our platform to support our community, and strive for victories on and off the field.”
Along with the FireWolves players, the Wolf Pack Dance Team are a big presence at home games, but also in the community. They have played such a huge role in supporting the Capital Region through visits to nonprofits, helping with the school reading program, and hosting dance clinics.
“The success of the FireWolves doesn’t happen without our community,” said Megan Grabowski Head Coach of the Wolf Pack Dance Team. “There is truth that it takes a village! Having the Wolf Pack attend community events like Take Back the Night, Breast Cancer and Alzheimer’s walks, and reading programs in local schools allows us to make an impact off the field and get to know our fans. Our Game Day Experience Clinic in February and recently working with Dick’s House of Sports – Latham were both highlights for the Wolf Pack this season. It allowed young dancers to learn from the Pack, showcase their talents on game day and have a better understanding of what it’s like to be a Wolf Pack Dancer.”
The FireWolves are helping grow the sport of lacrosse in the area through the AFW School Program presented by Dick’s House of Sport – Latham where the FireWolves players teach students basic skills, tell them what it’s like to play pro lacrosse for the FireWolves, and encourage them to follow their dreams. FireWolves players Sam Firth, Justin Geddie, Will Johansen, and Tye Kurtz have been making 3-4 school visits per week since November for a total of 67 so far this season and roughly over 6,500 students impacted. Through their passion for the sport and ability to connect with the students, they have inspired dozens of kids to want to play lacrosse as well as come out to FireWolves games to cheer on their hometown team.
“We’ve had so many teachers/schools interested in having the players visit and share lacrosse with the students,” said Cassie Wun School Liaison for the Albany FireWolves. “We’ve had lots of positive feedback from kids, parents, and administration and we notice new fans in the stands every game as a result of us visiting and giving back to the community. The players have enjoyed working with staff and students to help increase awareness of the game, as well as inspiring kids to try a new sport!”
Every time the players step into a classroom or school gym they get a chance to make an impression on students who may have never held a lacrosse stick before. If that visit can inspire a young kid to want to play lacrosse or even want to come out to a FireWolves game, then that is a win for everyone involved as that kid gets a boost of confidence knowing they are a part of a bigger community.
If you would like to schedule a school visit please reach out to Cassie Wun at: Cassie@albanyfirewolves.com
“The name ‘FireWolves’ symbolizes ‘community and gathering,’ so we believe that working together with schools and all businesses, whether small or large, will only create a sense of unity and partnership,” said Wun.
The Capital Region has made the FireWolves feel at home since the team came to Albany in 2021 and the organization is so grateful for their support. There is such a bright future ahead as the wins continue to pile up for the FireWolves on the floor and in this wonderful community.
Come party with us at Recovery Sports Grill and cheer on the FireWolves on Sunday, April 14th as the FireWolves hit the road to take on Panther City! The party and the game begins at 5pm. We’ll see you at Recovery Sports Grill in Rensselaer, NY on April 14th!
For more information regarding tickets, visit www.albanyfirewolves.com or call/text the FireWolves ticket hotline 518-612-4196.
About Albany FireWolves
The Albany FireWolves is the Capital Region’s very own Professional Box Lacrosse team, playing in the National Lacrosse League out of the MVP Arena in downtown Albany, NY. For more information, contact the Albany FireWolves Front Office at (518) 362-4900 or visit AlbanyFireWolves.com. Follow the team on Facebook at facebook.com/AlbFireWolves, Twitter @AlbFireWolves, and Instagram @AlbFireWolves.
About the National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is North America’s premier professional lacrosse league. Founded in 1986, the NLL ranks third in average attendance for pro indoor sports worldwide, behind only the NHL and NBA. The League is comprised of 15 franchises across the United States and Canada: Albany FireWolves, Buffalo Bandits, Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth, Georgia Swarm, Halifax Thunderbirds, Las Vegas Desert Dogs, New York Riptide, Panther City Lacrosse Club (TX), Philadelphia Wings, Rochester Knighthawks, San Diego Seals, Saskatchewan Rush, Toronto Rock, and Vancouver Warriors. For more information, visit NLL.com and find @NLL on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About MVP Arena
MVP Arena is a full-service entertainment and sports facility featuring a wide variety of family shows, sporting events, trade shows and concerts. Owned by Albany County and managed by ASM Global, MVP Arena opened in 1990 and is home to the Albany FireWolves of the National Lacrosse League, the Albany Firebirds of the Arena Football League and the Division I Men’s College Basketball Siena Saints. For more information, please visit https://www.mvparena.com/
