Wizards Host Meet the Team

On Wednesday, the Washington Wizards will kick off their 2008-09 season when they host the New Jersey Nets at 7:00 p.m. While most of the franchise's fan base will see the Wizards for the first time this season at Verizon Center, all VIP, Season Ticket, and Half Season Ticket holders were able to get their first glimpse of the Washington Wizards at the annual "Meet the Team" event held at the Newseum yesterday.

Doors to the event opened at 6:30 p.m. with the ticket planholders being greeted at the door by the Wizard Girls. By the time the evenings MC's, Steve Buckhantz and Big Tigger, came out at 7:00 p.m., the Newseum was filled wall-to-wall with Wizards fans. Buckhantz and Tigger discussed the upcoming season and introduced the 2008-09 Wizards players and coaches to the raucous crowd. At that point, the players spread out amongst the crowd, signing autographs and talking to their fans.

“It is an honor for me to be here. Being born and raised in Washington D.C., I know the Washington Wizards very well," said Wizards Fan Lynne Holcomb-Gober. "I think this is great. This is my first time at one of these events and I never expected so many of our fans to be here or to get this close to the players.”

While many fans were excited about the opportunity to talk with their favorite players and get autographs, it was also a chance for the players to show their appreciation to their dedicated fan base. Last season, the Washington Wizards sold out over half of their games, and true to form, the fans had a huge turnout, overflowing the multi-level Newseum.

“It is always fun to get out here in the community and get to meet the people who support you," said Caron Butler. "This is my first time ever down here at the Newseum and I’m very excited that we got to have it here and the greeting from the fans when we came out was great. They have four levels here and to see the fans looking down from the balcony and cheering for us made for a great reception and it made us feel real good as players."

“Anytime we get to see our fans it is great. They are the ones that are out their every game rooting for us whether it is the regular season or into the playoffs. So to have the opportunity to interact with them is great," added DeShawn Stevenson.

The event venue was also much different than in years past, as for the first time since 1996, the event was held outside of the Wizards Home Arena. The decision to host the event off-site turned out to be a great one, as the Newseum was a hit for both players and planholders.

"I think it was a great choice to have this event at the Newseum," Hakimah Muhammad, a teacher at Anacostia Senior High School. "It’s a beautiful place and as an English teacher it is definitely a place I would like to bring my students.”

If you would like the opportunity to attend future events like "Meet the Team", visit the WashingtonWizards.com ticket plan page and become a planholder today!