Wild About Reading Concludes For 2012

FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno Grizzlies have announced that its extensive, award-winning Wild About Reading program enrolled over 97,000 students across the Central Valley in 2012, setting a new record for total enrolled students. The seven-year-old program experienced an increase of over 26,000 students from last year's previous record of 71,000 students.

"It is amazing to see the amount of interested schools and students for Wild About Reading this year," said Grizzlies' Community Relations Manager Ryan Moran. "To watch the program grow to extraordinary levels over the last couple of years, we are proud of the Central Valley students that are striving to reach their reading goal and cannot wait to see them at a Grizzlies game."

The reading program encourages students to read 10 books in five weeks. If a student reaches the goal, he or she receives two free tickets to a 2012 Grizzlies home game. Students can redeem their tickets for the specific game date designated to their school. This year's Wild About Reading game dates are April 15, April 20, April 29, May 11, June 3 and June 10.

In addition to the goal of reading 10 books, Wild About Reading features an interactive assembly held at schools from as far north as Merced to a southern-most reach of Lemoore. In 2012, Grizzlies mascot Parker, Eddie the Owl from EECU and the Grizzlies front office staff performed the assembly at 165 schools. The program runs for three months from January to March.

Wild About Reading is presented by PG&E, National Parks Conservation Association, Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU), Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, and Ruiz Foods.

The Fresno Grizzlies kick off their 15th season in Fresno on Friday, April 13th when they take on the Tacoma Rainiers, Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Fans are encouraged to Orange Out Opening Day for the 7:05 pm game. Tickets are available through the Chukchansi Park Box Office, online at www.FresnoGrizzlies.com or by calling 559.320.TIXS.