GRAND RAPIDS. MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Apr. 14, 2023) – After 15 years, the DeVos family once again has a second pro sports franchise to call its own at Van Andel Arena.
While the Grand Rapids entry in the Pro Volleyball Federation was formed this past December, with Cathy George named as its first coach, the team gained an identity on Friday evening when the name “Rise” was unveiled during the first intermission of the Grand Rapids Griffins hockey home finale against Rockford. According to team officials, the Rise’s primary logo features a fiery phoenix, with some similarities to the griffin that adorns the hockey team’s logo, talons gripping the word RISE set in front of a glowing sun beneath the words GRAND RAPIDS. The team’s colors will be Elevation Red, Ascension Blue and Sunshine Gold.
Five persons among 829 who submitted entries in a “Name the Team” fan contest that ran for 11 days in February had “rise” as their suggestion, with the organization determining not only the winning name, but tabbing Luis Hernandez of Byron Center as the contest winner for the earliest submission of “rise.” He will receive two season tickets for the 2024 inaugural campaign, with the other four getting two ducts for the home opener, among other prizes and honors.
Along with the name and colors, DP Fox also established a website for more information on the first women’s major league pro sports team to be based in West Michigan.
DP Fox, headed by Dan and Pamela DeVos, has run just the Griffins since the demise of the Arena Football League Grand Rapids Rampage in 2008. The NBA G-League Grand Rapids Gold is a paying tenant at Van Andel Arena.
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