(October 16, 2102)… After defeating the United States Saturday, the Iroquois Nationals knelt in front of their home goal and posed for a team photo with the Bowhunter Cup. The Nationals triumphantly carried the trophy off the turf after a hard-fought 12-10 victory at The Blue Cross Arena.
Although the Nationals won the Cup, both teams were presented with gifts that night. Rochester Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres came bearing custom-made Under Armour® lacrosse sticks themed with the colors of their respective nations. As the owner of Team 22, he handed the players and staff limited-edition sticks that were complete with Charge and Unleashed heads on 6000 Blatiflage print handles.
“These American dyed sticks were beauties,” said USA starting goalie Jake Henhawk. “That was very nice. I am thankful to Curt and Team 22 for giving every player a stick dyed in USA and Iroquois colors.”
The Americans stick had red, white and blue strings, along with an American flag design on the head. The Iroquois stick was equally impressive with the purple, black and yellow colors of the Nationals, along with the Haudenosaunee flag. The sticks were well received by the players in the Third Annual Bowhunter Cup, which included 10 members of the Rochester Knighthawks.
“I was called off the turf during warm-ups to see our owner, Curt Styres, and I was surprised with a custom Team USA Under Armour® stick. It was an honor receiving a limited piece, especially before suiting up for the red, white and blue,” said Walters, who had four assists in the game. “The stars and stripes design on the top of the stick really looks sharp. It's definitely a nice piece to add to the mantle.”
“It's awesome. He always does the best gestures to the teams,” added Cody Jamieson of the Iroquois Nationals, who also plays for the Knighthawks and represents Team 22. “Once again he showed why he is the best owner in the league.”
Team 22 is owned by Styres, Knighthawks VP of Lacrosse Paul Gait and Knighthawks President Lewis Staats. Operating beneath the Under Armour® banner, Team 22 designs, manufactures and distributes lacrosse equipment. Under Armour® stands as a world-wide developer, marketer, and distributor of branded performance apparel, footwear and accessories. Team 22 displayed its latest lacrosse equipment at its promotional booth at The Blue Cross Arena Saturday night.
The Bowhunter Cup, which was won by the Iroquois for a second straight season, features the United States and Iroquois Nationals in an international contest. The game serves as a fundraiser for the upcoming 2015 FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championships, and gives executives an opportunity to evaluate talent for the national teams. It was also a chance for Team 22 to honor the players for their participation in the international event.
“The Bowhunter Cup is a celebration of lacrosse and served as a great venue for us to engage avid lacrosse fans,” said Team 22 President Paul Gait. “We also wanted to award each nation with Under Armour® sticks to commemorate their participation in the international game.”