MONTCLAIR, NJ -- The New Jersey Pride announced today that the team will bring the high scoring, fast paced, hard hitting action of its 2004 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) home schedule back to Montclair State University.

This time, the Pride will feature its home games on Sprague Field, MSU^Òs newly renovated football stadium. In 2001, the first year of the league^Òs existence, the Pride played its games at Yogi Berra Stadium at MSU.

For the past two seasons, the Pride played its games at Commerce Bank Park in Bridgewater. Coming back north allows the Pride to capitalize on a strong lacrosse market, with the highest concentration of youth and high school lacrosse programs, both boys and girls.

""We are absolutely thrilled to be back in North Jersey where we began four seasons ago,^Ô said Bob Turco, Founding Member and General Manager of the Pride. ^Ó Although we greatly appreciated the support of the Somerset area lacrosse community, and look for their continued support, we feel it is much better to have Pride games played in a traditional lacrosse stadium with it's vastly improved sight angles. The Montclair location is by far the most convenient for our entire fan base. The turf field will enable us to have youth tournaments and clinics that will make our young fans active participants in our Pride events. This is something we have wanted from the start but was not possible in the baseball parks. In addition, New Jersey Transit's new station, set to open soon, will provide superb mass transit access for both our New Jersey and New York City fans. I applaud Ms. Holly Gera, MSU Director of Athletics and all those involved for their commitment to the sport and for their hospitality."

Sprague Field seats roughly 6,000 fans bleacher style. In addition, the Pride Fan Zone will be re-done for 2004, complete with numerous interactive events including speed and accuracy contests, soft lacrosse games, etc.

"We welcome the Pride to Montclair State University," said Dr. Karen Pennington, vice president for Student Development and Campus Life at Montclair State. "The team will be able to showcase its talents in our first-class facility, a venue sure to be attractive to existing fans and beguiling to new ones. Montclair State is committed to being not only an educational treasure for northern New Jersey but also a first-class cultural and recreational facility for our many friends and neighbors. We are pleased that the Pride has found a home at Montclair State University."

Last season, the Pride finished their playoff run in the semifinal game against the defending 2002 Champion Baltimore Bayhawks in a thrilling game that saw the Bayhawks win in the last 20 seconds. The game, held at Villanova Stadium in Philadelphia, was rated as one of the best lacrosse games ever played. The Pride finished 2003 at 7-5.

New Jersey Pride Season Ticket packages are available now by calling 973-686-9500 or by visiting www.newjerseypride.com. Game Day walk-up tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for children under 12. This year, we will be featuring an All-You-Can-Eat BBQ for $22 per person. Group Fundraisers are also offered for organizations to raise money. Halftime Youth Games and Group Sales are available on a first come, first serve basis.

"We think this is a great partnership," said John H. Flood, III, New Jersey Pride Team President. "This is an opportunity for Major League Lacrosse to tap into a very strong and loyal lacrosse fan base. We feel the Pride has all the tools necessary to flourish and we look forward to a lot of successful years here in Essex County."

"We couldn't be happier that the New Jersey Pride have found a venue that they feel is best suited for their needs in North Jersey," said David Gross, MLL Chief Operating Officer. "The League continues to strive to find the best venues to showcase the best lacrosse players in the world and to provide our fans with the best lacrosse experience. Sprague Field allows the Pride to adhere to the League's mandate to avoid playing in Minor League Baseball stadiums."