The New Jersey Pride, the state's first professional outdoor lacrosse team, announced last week that it will bring the high-scoring, fast-paced, hard-hitting action of its 2004 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) home schedule back to campus.

In 2001, the first year of the league's existence, the Pride played its games at Yogi Berra Stadium. This season the Pride will play its home games on Sprague Field.

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

"We are thrilled to be back in North Jersey," said Bob Turco, founding member and general manager of the Pride. "Although we greatly appreciated the support of the Somerset area lacrosse community, and look for their continued support, we feel it is better to have Pride games played in a traditional lacrosse stadium with its vastly improved sight angles. The Montclair location is by far the most convenient for our entire fan base. Sprague's turf field will allow us to have youth tournaments and clinics that will make our young fans active participants in Pride events. This is something we have wanted from the start but was not possible in the baseball parks."

Turco said the New Jersey Transit train station on Clove Road, which is set to open soon, will provide convenient mass transit access for New Jersey and New York City fans.

Sprague Field seats approximately 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 and soft lacrosse games.

"We welcome the Pride to Montclair State University," said Karen Pennington, vice president for Student Development and Campus Life. "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."

"We think this is a great partnership," said Pride Team President John H. Flood. "This is an opportunity for Major League Lacrosse to tap into a 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 in Essex County."

David Gross, MLL chief operating officer, said, "The League continues to strive to find the best venues to showcase the best lacrosse players in the world and to provide 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."

New Jersey Pride season ticket packages are available 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.