March Monday Madness and Blood Drive Night close out Condors regular season

Condors Mike Hofstrand presented with Real Heroes Award; Jersey Auction raises $31,600

March Monday Madness:

Only one March Monday Madness game remains and it's the Condors regular season home finale! So if you haven't joined in the madness yet, this is your last chance. On Monday, March 31 it is Condors Blood Drive Night, sponsored by KUZZ 107.9. All blood donors during the month of March can present the voucher they received from the Houchin Blood Bank and receive $1 admission to the game. One lucky donor will also be selected to sit in the R & D Leather Furniture "Best Seat in the House," while another will be dropping the honorary first puck. A third lucky donor will be watching the Condors game in his or her new team- signed Condors jersey, as everyone who donated blood during March was entered into a drawing to win these prizes.

Thanks to the Condors Mucho Season Ticket Giveaway, 19 Condors fans have received a free season ticket for next year! For every goal the Condors score during March Monday Madness games, one fan is randomly drawn to win a season ticket for the 2008-09 season. Also on Monday, the first 2,000 fans will receive a Colonel Claw'd magnet, the fifth and final magnet of the March Monday Madness Magnet Collectors Series.

During the first intermission Monday, Colonel Claw'd and Baby Cal will again win Condors gear for fans in the Condors Slingshot for Merch. Two lucky fans will receive any merchandise items placed on the oversized bowling pins that the mascots knock down. If you're not one of the two lucky fans and you want merch, don't worry, all Condors jerseys are 50% off at Monday's game!

Mike Hofstrand Honored with Real Heroes Award:

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For quite some time Condorstown has known that Condors F Mike Hofstrand is a hero in the community, but on Friday, March 28 it was made official as he was given a Real Heroes award by the Kern Chapter of the American Red Cross. Hofstrand was presented with the Adult Role Model Award in front of a full house at the Holiday Inn Select at the official luncheon last Friday.

The Condors organization has always had a strong presence in the community, but Hofstrand has gone above and beyond the call of duty. Using his status as a professional athlete he has visited over a dozen schools to encourage the students to work hard to achieve their dreams. Hofstrand has also frequented pediatric units at local hospitals as well as the Jamison Center.

It was, however, his work with a young cancer stricken child that caught the attention of the Real Heroes committee. Diagnosed with cancer, Ian Rodgers, a huge Condors fan, received an unexpected visit from Mike Hofstrand. Hofstrand brought the three year old an autographed Condors jersey as well as hope and encouragement. At the time of the visit, Ian was feeling down from chemo treatments and the prospect of losing his hair. However, after Ian met Hofstrand, and saw that Hofstrand shaves his head, the young fan was ready to part with his hair.

"That is just one example of the kind of person Mike is," said Condors President Matthew Riley. "We strive to give back to the community that has given so much to us and Mike exemplifies our organization."

Game-worn Country Music Jerseys raise $31,600:

Last night, the Country Music Jerseys Off Our Backs Auction brought in a grand total of $31,600 to benefit the Valley Achievement Center, coming up just $600 shy of the highest Condors jersey auction all-time total. Five authentic Country Music jerseys were also raffled off to lucky fans in attendance.

This Week in Condorstown:

Monday, March 31: Mark Derlago is back in Condorstown and will be discussing his stint with Manitoba in the AHL and his return to the Bakersfield lineup on "There It Is!" with Jake Stevens on the All- New KGEO AM1230. The show begins at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Tuesday, April 1: Turn your dial to the All-New KGEO AM1230 to catch the "Voice of the Condors" Kevin Bartl as he discusses the Condors push to the playoffs on "There It Is!"

Thursday, April 3: Condors mascot Colonel Claw'd will help students understand the importance of reading by acting out scenes as a children's book is read aloud at Old River Elementary School during their Celebrity Reader Program, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 3: The Condors Coach's Show will air from Phoenix before the Condors take on the RoadRunners. You can catch Head Coach Marty Raymond and a Condors player, along with the "Voice of the Condors" Kevin Bartl on the All-New KGEO AM1230, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Condors Ticket Info:

Individual game tickets are on sale and may be purchased through Rabobank Arena Box Office, which is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and opens at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday with extended hours on game days. Tickets may also be purchased by phone at 322-2525, online at www.bakersfieldcondors.com, or at any Ticketmaster location.

Season tickets, mini plans and group outings are available at the Condors office located at 1001 Truxtun Avenue or by calling 324-PUCK (7825)

To stay up-to-date with all Condors events, log on to www.bakersfieldcondors.com and sign up for Face Off, the Condors E-newsletter.