COMING ATTRACTIONS A STRONG IMPRESSION
Sports and faith have had ties about as long as there have been games to be won and people drawing on a larger power to win them. So the roots of The Conquerors run deep and strong. Comprised of Christian athletes from various sports, The Conquerors use feats of strength to captivate audiences while delivering their message about the power of Jesus Christ. The Conquerors will headline Faith and Family Night presented by Cornerstone University when they appear at Van Andel Arena on Sunday, Feb. 17 while the Griffins face the Charlotte Checkers in a 4 p.m. contest. Their feats of strength, combined with upbeat music and message, are designed to make a “strong” impression on people young and old. Led by Mike Benson, an evangelist from Resurrection Life Church in Grandville, this sports ministry will lift spirits with its performance. Benson, whose background in bodybuilding, powerlifting and martial arts makes him the ideal captain, is joined by a group of unique individuals with unique skills. The Conquerors include Greg Molchan, a former Grand Valley 6 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
State University defensive end; Shawnna Smith, who can rip a 1400-page phonebook in half; and Yago Williams, a massage therapist who specializes in snapping bats around his back with his biceps. For a unique presentation of athletic ministry, The Conquerors are hard to beat. GRIFFINS GIVEAWAYS Upcoming Griffins home games will feature a number of good-looking giveaways. On Saturday, Jan. 26, the first 2,000 fans will receive a Griff garden gnome, courtesy of Comerica Bank. A week later, on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2,500 fans will receive a Gustav Nyquist bobblehead, courtesy of Lake Michigan Credit Union. Finally, on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2,500 fans will receive a Francis Pare bobblehead, thanks to Harold Zeigler ChryslerDodge-Jeep-Fiat. SECOND ANNUAL PURPLE COMMUNITY GAME Deep Purple, Harold and the Purple Crayon, Barney the Purple Dinosaur and the Purple People Eaters have company. Nothing rhymes with “purple,” but nearly everything at Van
Andel Arena will be in sync with the color associated with cancer survivors on Friday, March 8, when the Grand Rapids Griffins host their second “Purple Game” to benefit the Van Andel Institute (VAI). The Griffins will wear special purple jerseys, which will be autographed and auctioned to the public in the Fifth Third Bank Vault restaurant after the game, with proceeds benefiting VAI. There will be purple concession items and purple-related songs, videos and graphics, including purple logos embedded in the arena’s ice surface. STAR WARS NIGHT The 501st Legion returns for another Star Wars Night to benefit the Griffins Youth Foundation, when the Griffins try to access the Force to battle the Lake Erie Monsters on Saturday, March 9. Sponsored by Consumers Energy, Star Wars Night will feature over 50 costumed characters roaming the arena and interacting with fans. In addition to light sabers and Griffins Star Wars-themed pucks and T-shirts being sold on the concourse, a photo area will be set up for fans to get their picture taken with their favorite characters for a small donation.