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VERMONT HOOPS STAR TO APPEAR IN GRANITE CITY

Taylor Coppenrath Coming to Support Barre Partnership, Homecoming Days

Barre, Vt. (July 26, 2007)- The man who led the University of Vermont basketball team to its first ever NCAA tournament victory will be in downtown Barre this weekend.

Taylor Coppenrath, who currently plays professionally in Italy, plans to make dual appearances at Barre Homecoming Days on Saturday and Sunday. His first stop will be an autograph signing at City Hall Park on July 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. At 2 p.m., he will then march with the Barre Partnership in the Homecoming parade through the city center. Coppenrath is back in the Granite City July 29 as a celebrity judge for the 1st Annual Barre Waffle-Off, a king-of-the-mountain-style waffle making competition scheduled at LACE from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Coppenrath, a 6-foot-9 forward, is no stranger to central Vermonters. After graduating from St. Johnsbury Academy, where he was coached by Spaulding High School alum Layne Higgs, Coppenrath attained stardom at UVM. In 2005, he was the leader of the Catamount squad that upset perennial powerhouse Syracuse University in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The three-time America East Player of the Year finished his storied career as the school's second all-time leading scorer. The Boston Celtics signed Coppenrath to its Summer League team last season, and he hopes to eventually reach the NBA.

Taylor is a Vermont hoops luminary and one of the most famous personalities in the state, said Partnership Executive Director Matt Lash. We are very pleased to welcome him back to Barre, where he competed during his high school years. His presence will certainly be a big draw at an event that is already huge for our region.

Barre Homecoming Days, slated for July 26-29, celebrates the culture and history of the community and traditionally attracts 15,000-plus people. Over 50 initiatives are on tap, including live music, street dances, art exhibits, central Vermont's largest parade and fireworks. A complete schedule can be found at various downtown Barre businesses, on http://www.barrecity.org or at Barre City Hall.

About The Barre Partnership

The Barre Partnership, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, coordinates activities that maintain and improve civic pride and the economic, social and cultural quality of life in Barre, Vt., with a particular concentration on the downtown. The Partnership provides opportunities for economic development and employment, strengthening the tax base and increasing private and municipal investment. Headquartered at Barre City Hall, its board of directors is composed of local business people, including President John Mayfield (Sean and Nora’s), Vice President Amy White (KeyBank), Secretary Carol Day and Treasurer Bob Sager (Bob’s Camera and Video).

For more information, please contact Executive Director Matt Lash at (802) 476-0267, barpart@barrecity.org or http://www.barrepartnership.org.

News Flash

Another newsflash for you! This morning the Burlington Free Press featured an article about Taylor's Treasure Hunt! You can read it here!

NewsFlash!

Last night local news station WCAX and JJ Cioffi did a wonderful segment on Taylor and his Teasure Hunt. Check it out here (click on the little camera to watch the video).

This morning there was an article in the Burlington Free Press about Taylor, former teammates TJ and Chris Holm and their post-college plans. Read it here.

Don't know about you guys, but we love seeing this stuff in our local media!

Where in Vermont is Taylor Coppenrath?

It’s not easy to hide when you’re 6’9”

Colchester, VT- - Summer is officially here and what better way to celebrate and combat summertime boredom than with a treasure hunt? Beginning June 28th Professional Basketball player, Taylor Coppenrath will be located at area attractions and offering clues to his whereabouts on his blog (taylorcoppenrath.blogspot.com). When you’ve figured out his location you can meet him there for an evening of fun! Kids (and adults) across the state can participate in four separate treasure hunts with one huge prize- - free admission to Taylor Coppenrath’s Summer Slam Basketball Camp. Not to mention four opportunities to hang out with Vermont’s favorite basketball player! Each child who successfully finds Taylor will be entered to win a free week at his basketball camp. The dates will be June 28, July 5, July 9, and July 12 but the locations aren’t finalized yet, so if there is someplace you think Taylor should go… hop on his blog and let him know!

Designed for Boys & Girls ages 8-15, the camp (July 30- August 3) will focus on the fundamentals of basketball such as ball-handling, passing, shooting, dribbling, footwork, defense and rebounding. Print Registration Form: www.town.colchester.vt.us/recreation

Exciting Announcement

Taylor has an exciting announcement coming tomorrow! I hope everyone out there is ready for it! Stay tuned here and in the local media for the news!