FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Honorary Owner, Edward Garber Fired Up to be a part of Blaze's Inaugural Season
Edison, NJ - May 25, 2010:  It's clear when you walk into tax expert Edward Garber's office that the man is in love with sport. Adorning walls left, right and centre in his modest Edison workplace are New York Yankees logos, players, bats and other merchandise. However, one thing in particular has taken pride of place in his private space: a recent report in the Sentinel confirming the New Jersey Blaze's first ever game in the National Premier Soccer League.

You see, while Ed has always been a part of the Yankees' legacy of 27 World Series titles as a fan, he's always wanted to be closer to the action not just on the field, but off it too. This opportunity was presented to him when Ed, as the team's leading local sponsor, assumed the role of honorary owner for the New Jersey Blaze in the squad's inaugural season. His connection to the Blaze is an undoubtedly special one.

While the Blaze are new to the league this season, Ed is new to the sport in general. It's his passion for the local community as well as competition on the field that drives him to take the brave jump into the unknown - like the Blaze themselves in their first year - and it's proving to be a leap he knows was worth taking. He has been involved in athletic activities since the age of ten and, 39 years later, his love for sport has grown to cover new ground.

"My neighbor has been gloating about how great soccer is for ten years. It was only a matter of time before I sat up and listened," Ed explained. "Now, I'm absolutely hooked!"

As one of the lesser-followed sports in the US, it's not easy for someone completely new to the concept to pick up the game. Ed is not intimidated by soccer in any way, however, and is starting at the very beginning, proudly brandishing the book "Soccer for Dummies" which his wife Randi bought for him in preparation for the new season. The egalitarian nature of the sport is something that really appeals to him - something he believes separates it from most other team games in schools and colleges across the country.

Describing his stance on the game, Ed continued: "Soccer is in a different class to other sports because a person new to the sport just has to know how to kick a ball and run. As they grow older, they can pick up rules and tactics while fine-tuning their individual abilities and role on the field."

Soccer, and sport in general, means much more to Ed as a regional businessman as well as a fan. "Sports are very important to the local community as a way in which people from an area can get together to have a great time, enjoying each other's company," Ed continued. "By being involved with the Blaze, I feel I am giving back to the community."

His love for sport is shared by his wife Randi, a first grade teacher in Irvington who encouraged his move. Ed explained: "She feels that when children are involved in sports when growing up, they are more likely to be well-rounded individuals. This is because sports, especially soccer, teach them core skills such as teamwork and communication, proving that school is not just a classroom or homework."

Embracing his honorary owner role, Ed is already getting closely involved with the team. This began when attending training, as he was practising to kick out the first ball of the home season. As the ball went out, he brushed up on his fancy footwork by passing it back to the players. Afterwards, he held a meet-and-greet with a handful of the team at his office in Edison. "When I met the players on the field and at the party, I was really impressed. They are a great bunch of guys; there's no air about them and they're really good fun to talk to. They loved seeing their team report framed on my wall!"

A true man of the area, Ed is looking forward to fulfilling his role of honorary owner to the best of his abilities. The first game he is attending is this Friday's home opener against Pocono Snow, the very team whose defeat was given a fitting prologue in the Sentinel report on his wall. "I have always wanted to be involved with a sports team," Ed concluded. "I am having the time of my life!"