Western New York’s newest professional sports team, the Buffalo Flash will be the official Grand Marshals & Starters for this season’s running of the Sahlen’s Six Hours at the Glen.  2010 marks the second season for the Flash.  The Professional Women’s Soccer Team is a part of United Soccer Leagues W-League, within the Midwest Division of the Central Conference.  Their 12 game season includes 6 home games at Demske Sports Complex in Buffalo, NY.

The Buffalo Flash actually has a game on Wednesday night, June 2^nd, away in London, Ontario, Canada against Division rival London Gryphons.  After getting a few good nights rest, the players will travel down from Buffalo to Watkins Glen for the Sahlen’s 6 Hours on Saturday. 

Beyond waving the Green Flag for the start of the Sahlen’s 6 Hours, The Flash players will be involved in several activities during the weekend.   The players will be attending the Saturday Meeting for ROLEX DP and GT Drivers.  During the race, they will be strolling around the track signing autographs for the soccer fanatics at the track. Then at the end of the race, the young women will be assisting in handing out the trophy’s to the race winners.  Plus, the players will be in attendance to help judge the Saturday evening Sahlen Hot Dog Eating Contest as well as attending the evening’s concert. 

“Everyone at Sahlen’s is honored to have the Buffalo Flash team as our Official Starter for the Sahlen’s 6 Hours.  Beyond Hot Dogs, the Sahlen family has two passions, Racing and Soccer.  So it’s really great to be able to tie those two passions into one weekend.  This should be a great weekend for the Flash players to be able to meet the western New York sports enthusiasts in a brand new environment.  We are working to integrate the Flash into the whole weekend’s activities.” states Joe Sahlen. 

Head Coach for the Flash is Aaran Lines.  Aaran is an experienced international player with 41 appearances for his New Zealand Full National squad, 9 with the U-23 squad, 8 with the U-20 and 10 with the U-17 squad.  Lines participated in the 1999 and 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup with the New Zealand National Team.  Coach Lines’ currently earned a UEFA B Coaching License from his past coaching endeavors in America and abroad in Germany & Australia. 

“I am very excited about the opportunity be a part of the Buffalo Flash from the ground up last year.  The Buffalo area has a very rich soccer heritage.  This is especially true of the youth and women’s programs within the community.  As we work to further refine our roster, the goal is to be able to capitalize upon the strong pool of Western New York talent to form an explosive, exciting team for the Buffalo fans to come out and cheer on.” – states Coach Aaron Lines.

In total, the United Soccer League’s W-League consists of 29 teams playing in five divisions that comprise of three conferences: Eastern, Central, and Western.  At the conclusion of the season, 11 W-League teams will qualify for the post season tournament.  The W-League Championship Game will air on FOX Soccer Channel. 

“We are excited and honored to that the Buffalo Flash have been chosen as the official Grand Marshals for the Sahlen’s 6 Hours.  I have attended the event several times, and it is always an exciting time.” – states Team President Alex Sahlen. 

One Unique tie between Team Sahlen and the Buffalo Flash in 2010 is the partnership with Mazda.  Team Sahlen currently campaigns 2 Mazda RX-8s in the GT class of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 and a MAZDASPEED3 in the ST class of the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.  With the goal for the season to assist Mazda in winning the GT and ST class Manufacturer Championships.  For 2010, Mazda has come on board as the presenting sponsor of the Buffalo Flash.  The team jerseys will have Mazda emblazoned across the front. There will Special Customer Appreciation Day, where Mazda customers can pick up Free Ticket Vouchers at area Buffalo Mazda Dealers.  And several times during the season, Flash players will be attending special customer events at the area Mazda Dealership locations.  Additionally, Mazda is the official vehicle of the Flash.  And as part of that official title, the players will be driving around Buffalo in a special Flash decaled Mazda CX-9. 

“It’s really neat that Mazda is partnered with both Team Sahlen and the Buffalo Flash.  The race team and the soccer team were already integrated together with identical team colors and lighting bolt symbol.  Now with Mazda partnered in the mix, this really brings everything together as one.  I am excited to see the Flash Mazda CX-9 at the track with the Team Sahlen Mazda race cars. It should make for quite a sight.” – states Will Nonnamaker of Team Sahlen 

Fans can keep up with all the latest Buffalo Flash at their web site www.buffaloflashsoccer.com . The web site includes several interactive sections, including ticket ordering.  All ticket sales will be through the web site, with no at event sales occurring. And for the 2010 season, the Flash will be playing their home matches at a new venue. The Flash will play at The Rev. James M. Demske, S.J. Sports Complex also known as Demske Sports Complex located at Canisius College. Demske Sports Complex, located at Canisius College behind the Koessler Athletic Center on Main Street in North Buffalo, is an A-turf multi-use complex that serves as home to the Golden Griffin athletic teams. In 2008, Demske installed a new synthetic turf which happens to be the same type of turf that the Flash practices on at Sahlen's Sports Park. This 1,000 seating grandstand also has locker room in the neighboring Koessler Athletic Center.  Demske Sports Complex: 2001 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208

Buffalo Flash Season Schedule:

Date           Time                    Team                                                        

May 26^th    7:30 pm               London Gryphons                 HOME

May 29^th    8:00 pm               Chicago Red Eleven           

June 2^nd     7:30 pm               London Gryphons      

June 11^th   7:30 pm               Cleveland Internationals      HOME

June 13^th   3:00 pm               London Gryphons                 HOME

June 18^th   7:30 pm               Kalamazoo Outrage             

June 25^th   7:30 pm               Kalamazoo Outrage

June 26^th   8:00 pm               Chicago Red Eleven

July 9^th       7:30 pm               Kalamazoo Outrage              HOME

July 10^th     7:00 pm               Chicago Red Eleven            HOME

July 14^th     7:30 pm               Cleveland Internationals      HOME

July 17^th     7:00 pm               Cleveland Internationals     

The team chose the nickname “Flash” to honor Buffalo’s long historical role in electrical ingenuity and production in America.  The electrical flash can also be found on the city’s flag.  This is a reflection of Buffalo’s history with hydroelectric power from Niagara Falls. Known as the City of Light due to the widespread prevalence of electricity throughout the city, Buffalo was, in fact, the first city to ever use electric street lights.