ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — SPHL champions, Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs are enjoying their win and are inviting the community out to celebrate with a parade and celebration on May 6.
After winning their first-ever President Cup Championship title on May 2, the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs made history and it won’t be forgotten. Starting at 3 p.m. the parade will kick off at the corner of 2nd Street/Gainsboro Road and Church Avenue and end on Second Street NE behind the Berglund Center.
Mac Jenson, the Captian for the Rail Yard Dawgs, shared that this moment is surreal and is something that they have been working toward.
“The Dawgs have had a long journey, with how close we were the year before, falling short and now it’s finally a dream come true,” said Jenson.
The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs made history throughout its 2022-2023 season setting a new franchise record for longest winning streak of nine wins, most regular season wins at 32, and the highest regular season standings finish fourth.
“It feels unbelievable. Every time we touch the puck out there obviously when we are in the stadium, it is unbelievably loud. Then when we are going to the grocery store and stuff like that we are getting stopped asked for autographs,” said Matt O’Dea, Rail Yard Dawgs defenseman. “It is pretty incredible.”
Each night, the increased average home attendance also grew by 1,000 fans from the previous year. To bring the season to an end, the Rail Yard Dawgs took home the SPHL Championship title and are celebrating the win throughout Saturday.
After the parade, there will be a celebration in Berglund Center Coliseum until 5 p.m. Fans will be able to purchase merchandise and take pictures with the President’s Cup and enjoy the moment with the Dawgs. The event will be free and open to the public.
“It’s awesome to see how much the crowd has supported us growing in the last four years that I have been here,” said Josh Nenadal, Rail Yard Dawgs right-winger.
For more information about the Rail Yard Dawgs celebration, visit their Facebook page.
