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GAIT & CLINE RECEIVE SPECIAL HONORS

NLL Hall of Famers inducted into The Boys' Club of New York HOF

11/02/2006

The Boys' Club of New York inducted NLL Hall of Famers Gary Gait and Russ Cline into its own Hall of Fame on Wednesday night at the 31st Annual All Sports Hall of Fame Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Candidates for this recognition are individuals who have recognized the importance of sports in contemporary American society and its influence on children as a vehicle to promote and develop character, community and service.

The Boys' Club of New York's All Sports Hall of Fame Dinner began in 1976 and honors the achievements of the best in sports. Candidates from the world of sports include executives, athletes, educators, administrators, broadcasters, journalists and recent inductees into all major sports Halls of Fames. Some of this year's inductees include track star Evelyn Ashford (2006 Olympic Hall of Fame), gymnast Shannon Miller (2006 Olympic Hall of Fame), and CBS Sports' James Brown (2006 Media Hall of Fame). Past Honorees also include, Frank Gifford, Gale Sayers, John McEnroe, Paul Tagliabue and Lamar Hunt.

Russ Cline, President/Owner of the Philadelphia Wings, was inducted into The Boys' Club of New York Hall of Fame. Cline, who is an NLL Hall of Famer, co-founded the Major Indoor Lacrosse League (MILL) in 1987, which became the National Lacrosse League in 1997. Cline serves as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the NLL and has been recognized as "NLL Executive of the Year."

Cline was previously associated with the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League from 1974-1983. He formed RCA Group, an international sports and entertainment production and promotion company in 1984. In addition, Cline is also the Founder and President of Image Impact, a company that developed cutting edge technology to evaluate and identify sponsorship logos in televised sports and entertainment events.

Cline is actively involved in a variety of Kansas City area civic and charitable organizations including the Board of Trustees of William Jewel College, City Union Mission, and numerous church and community committees.

Gary Gait, Colorado Mammoth Head Coach, was also inducted into The Boys' Club of New York Hall of Fame. Gait, who already has NLL Hall of Fame honors and US Lacrosse Hall of Fame honors, has an illustrious playing career that includes fifteen seasons in the NLL. He retired from his NLL playing career at the conclusion of the 2005 season. Gait collected numerous accolades over his career, including six NLL Most Valuable Player awards, before taking over as Head Coach of the Mammoth. In his first season behind the Mammoth bench, Gait led Colorado to its first league championship.

Prior to joining the NLL, Gait earned NCAA first-team All-America honors three times at Syracuse University. He helped lead the Orangemen to NCAA championships in '88 and '89 and was twice named the USILA national player of the year.

Gait also currently serves as President of National Development Lacrosse (NDP Lacrosse). NDP Lacrosse is the sport's first national college recruitment program and is dedicated to the growth and development of the sport of lacrosse on all levels, youth through adult.