Major League Lacrosse announced today that the Connecticut Hammerheads, a new MLL franchise set to play in Fairfield, Connecticut, will be joining the league for the 2020 season.
“We are thrilled to bring the first major professional team to Fairfield,” said MLL commissioner Sandy Brown.
“MLL enjoyed a tremendous experience hosting a 2016 semifinal game at Fairfield, and we know that Fairfield University offers our athletes, fans and partners the ideal viewing experience. With a growing national spotlight in our sport, Connecticut seemed a perfect fit to host the next MLL team.”
The Hammerheads will host their games on Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium, a 3,500-seat venue built in 2015 on the Fairfield University Campus in Fairfield, Connecticut. Play for the 2020 season will begin May 30.
“We are proud to welcome the Hammerheads to their new home at Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium. We appreciate the league’s confidence in Fairfield University and are excited to welcome lacrosse fans from across the region to visit our campus,” said Jennifer Anderson, Fairfield University Vice President of Marketing and Communications.
“We are thrilled to welcome Major League Lacrosse and the Connecticut Hammerheads to the Fairfield University campus,” Paul Schlickmann, Fairfield Director of Athletics added.
“As our athletic programs continue to grow, it is important to build strategic partnerships with organizations like the MLL to expand our reputation nationally and showcase our exceptional facilities such as Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium.”
The league also announced that Bill Warder, former head coach of the Dallas Rattlers, will become the head coach of the Hammerheads. Warder has served as a coach in Major League Lacrosse for twelve years. In that time, he was the assistant coach for the 2008 MLL champions and was named the 2018 MLL Coach of the Year.
The news comes a day after the announcement that the league will not operate the Dallas Rattlers for the 2020 season. Players on the Dallas Rattlers roster that are still under contract with the MLL are expected to join the new Connecticut franchise. The MLL will maintain the Dallas Rattlers’ trademarks and colors for a potential return to the Dallas market.
For information on tickets for the Hammerheads’ 2020 season, please email: info@CTHammerheads.com
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