THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Monday, January 13, 1997              TAG: 9701130191
SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A6   EDITION: FINAL 
SERIES: THE NHL IN HAMPTON ROADS
SOURCE: Stories researched, written and compiled by staff writers
        Harry Minium, Karen Weintraub, Ed Miller, Mylene Mangalindan, Battinto
        Batts, Lon Wagner, Larry Bonko and Carl Fincke.
                                            LENGTH:   44 lines

RHINOS 101: THE PLAYERS

George Shinn

A Charlotte businessman who has applied for an NHL expansion team that would be named the Hampton Roads Rhinos. Shinn, who owns the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, was responsible for bring big-league sports to Charlotte. He initially made his millions through a chain of business schools.

Tom Ward

Vice president of marketing for the NBA's Charlotte Hornets. Ward is the point man for Shinn's efforts to bring an NHL team to Hampton Roads. In Charlotte, Ward was in charge of sales, marketing and promotions for the Hornets, who led the NBA in attendance six of the last eight years.

Paul Fraim

Mayor of Norfolk. Fraim, an attorney, is perhaps the area's biggest booster of the Rhinos. The sports-minded Fraim believes that a big-league team would provide an invaluable boost to the region's image. As a city councilman, Fraim played a role in Norfolk's decision to build Harbor Park.

Bob O'Neill

Hampton city manager. O'Neill is a member of the Hampton Roads Partnership's three-man negotiating team that hammered out an arena agreement with Shinn. O'Neill is known for aggressively pushing redevelopment in Hampton.

Art Collins

Executive director for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission. Collins also is leader of the Hampton Roads Sports Authority and is a member of the Hampton Roads Partnership's negotiating team that worked with Shinn on an arena deal. ILLUSTRATION: [Photos]

KEYWORDS: NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE FRANCHISE