Spokane businessman Irv Zakheim announced today that he has entered into an agreement to purchase the Spokane RiverHawks baseball team. The RiverHawks were established in 2003 as a local collegiate summer team, showcasing prospects from colleges throughout the West.

“This is a great organization, and I’m extremely excited to become a part of it,” Zakheim said. “It’s amazing to see the success that this team has achieved in only a few short years. It’s a tribute to Coach Hertz and the many other people who have been involved with this organization.”

As part of the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League, the Spokane RiverHawks are led by head coach and general manager Steve Hertz, the 24-year veteran head coach of the Gonzaga Bulldogs. In his first year as head coach of the RiverHawks, Hertz, along with fellow coaches Keith Snyder and Barry Matthews, led the team to the 2006 WCCBL regular season title with a 28-14 record.

“I’m expecting even better things this year. We’ve got a solid group of players coming back and some promising new talent lined up,” Hertz said. “I couldn’t be more excited about Irv joining the organization. He knows the sport, he knows the players and coaches, and he knows what it takes to be successful.”

Zakheim is president and CEO of Zak Designs, a company he started in 1976 and relocated to the Spokane area in 1992. Before he entered the business world, Zakheim was a standout baseball player at California State University at Northridge where he was part of the 1970 NCAA Championship Team that won the College World Series. From there, Zakheim moved on to play professionally with the Chicago White Sox. Because of his passion for the sport, Zakheim has been an active member of the continually growing baseball community in the Inland Northwest.

“This is a great opportunity to take my involvement in Spokane baseball to the next level,” Zakheim said. “What the team accomplished last season was extremely impressive, and I can’t wait to see what we’ll do this year.”

The RiverHawks kick-off their home schedule June 14 against Kelowna. Tickets can be purchased at the gate, online at www.spokaneriverhawks.com, or by calling 509-747-4991.

The WCCBL is dedicated to player development, player exposure and to providing affordable summer entertainment to its member communities.