Meet Fuego! Coachella Valley Firebirds unveil mascot
The Coachella Valley Firebirds are heating up the excitement for the upcoming AHL hockey season with a fun announcement: the introduction of their team mascot.
The mascot goes by the name Fuego, which is a Spanish word for fire. Fuego made its first appearance in front of a cheering crowd of local children at the Classic Club on Thursday morning.
Get fired up... please welcome to the team... FUEGO🔥 🔥 @FuegoFirebirds #IgniteTheSeason #BringTheHeat #Fuego #BuildingAnOasis #OneValley #Firebirds #CoachellaValley #AHL #Hockey pic.twitter.com/IQcgfqUXHP
Get fired up... please welcome to the team... FUEGO🔥 🔥 @FuegoFirebirds #IgniteTheSeason #BringTheHeat #Fuego #BuildingAnOasis #OneValley #Firebirds #CoachellaValley #AHL #Hockey pic.twitter.com/IQcgfqUXHP
— Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) August 4, 2022
Sports Director Blake Arthur had the opportunity to have some fun with Fuego in exclusive, very important interview!
Lot of fun foolin' around with @FuegoFirebirds, the official mascot of the @Firebirds! @AcrisureArena @KESQ @TheAHL @oakviewgroup pic.twitter.com/4ntD4ODyIM
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) August 5, 2022
The team is also announcing the launch of a series of community pillar programs, which the mascot will champion, as well as introduce the Firebirds’ new director of broadcast & communications, Evan Pivnick.
"The Firebirds and Acrisure Arena are committed to educating fans of all ages about health and wellness. The inaugural season will focus on two core programs that advocate for mental and physical health: Extinguish Bullying: Fuego’s Anti-Bullying Operation and FIND Food Bank partnership," the team shared with News Channel 3 in a statement. "Physical health begins with the food we eat so it is necessary to provide adequate nutrition to fuel our bodies."
Extinguish Bullying: Fuego’s Anti-Bullying Operation is a school-based program that introduces students in grades K-5 to “Fuego’s Four Helpful Tips” for dealing with bullying:
- Talk to a trusted adult
- Don't bully back
- Support the bully target
- Stick with your buddies
The program will launch this fall at various C.V.U.S.D. and D.S.U.S.D. elementary schools.
Also launching in local schools, adding street hockey to physical education classes.
"Starting this August, all three Unified School Districts will implement street hockey in PE classes," the team shared. "Programs will be managed by each school district directly with training from Firebirds Street Hockey instructors. Additionally, a Firebirds Comprehensive Street Hockey Guide will be provided. The guide offers a complete series of core skills and drills, for players with different skill levels from beginners to elite."
Student participation will also extend to K-5 participants from 14 Coachella Valley Unified Elementary Schools and 20 Desert Sands Unified Elementary Schools, in the shape of learning reading skills. "The Coachella Valley Firebirds and Acrisure Arena are igniting the “Stick to Reading” program for the 2022-2023 Academic Year," the team promised. " The program is strategically designed to enhance reading skills, writing skills, vocabulary, comprehension, and creativity. The primary objectives of this program are to promote education and help local school districts improve California State Assessment scores. Every student will have an opportunity to win a prize based on effort, improvement, and performance on their iReady Diagnostic Assessment results."
News Channel 3 streamed the announcement live. You can view it at the top of this article.
Check Out our Firebirds Section for the latest team news and the full schedule
Although this is the first time we'll be introduced to the Coachella Valley Firebirds mascot, it seems the bird may have already been checking out our area.
For weeks, the team has been showing just parts of the mascot at recognizable Coachella Valley locations.
🔜 @AcrisureArena #Firebirds #IgniteTheSeason #AHL #GetFiredUp #CoachellaValley #AcrisureArena #BringTheHeat pic.twitter.com/xwultu5IQo
— Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) August 4, 2022
🎾 #Firebirds #IgniteTheSeason #AHL #GetFiredUp #CoachellaValley #IndianWells #BringTheHeat pic.twitter.com/SOkJbJF6Nv
— Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) July 29, 2022
Meet The Coachella Valley Firebirds First Two Players
🌵 #Firebirds #IgniteTheSeason #AHL #GetFiredUp #CoachellaValley #DesertHotSprings #BringTheHeat pic.twitter.com/UklnAxc0rT
— Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) July 26, 2022
🚗 #Firebirds #IgniteTheSeason #AHL #GetFiredUp #CoachellaValley #RanchoMirage #BringTheHeat pic.twitter.com/XljyxyQHVC
— Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) July 22, 2022
Meet the Firebirds Head Coach and Assistant Coach
🎨 #Firebirds #IgniteTheSeason #AHL #GetFiredUp #CoachellaValley #PalmDesert #ElPaseo #BringTheHeat pic.twitter.com/jmhnlSRl7E
— Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) July 28, 2022
⭐ #Firebirds #IgniteTheSeason #AHL #GetFiredUp #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #BringTheHeat pic.twitter.com/lyoNRIOoxj
— Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) July 14, 2022
The Firebirds will kick off their inaugural season on Sunday, October 16. The first real home game of the season will take place on Sunday, Dec. 18.
The team will play road games and some home games in Seattle while it waits for Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms to be completed.
To book an appearance for your organization, click here.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.