Post by fwp on Jan 30, 2010 10:59:58 GMT -5
www.lacrossetribune.com/sports/article_504c1cbc-0d65-11df-9c76-001cc4c002e0.html
A look of concern momentarily flashed across Chris Kokalis' face Friday night. There was nothing to see here - at least not yet.
A couple of gate crashers at the La Crosse Center wanted to start La Crosse Spartans Family Night - otherwise known as the unofficial start of Act Three of indoor football in the Coulee Region - a bit early. It was 5:25 p.m. The kids football clinic was scheduled to start at 5:30. The opening-night itinerary said so. Kokalis, the Spartans' co-owner, said so. No exceptions.
"Do not open the doors," Kokalis told one of his employees. "We have to make sure everything looks good."
Kokalis was referring to the field. But he seems just as committed to making the Spartans a franchise to be admired. And even after the La Crosse Night Train (2002-03) and La Crosse River Rats (2000) - the city's last two indoor football teams/dumpster fires that left us charred and scarred - we owe him that.
Friday night was a scrimmage/get-to-know-us event - the Spartans' dress rehearsal to the dress rehearsal. They'll host the Green Bay Blizzard in an exhibition game Feb. 21. Their home opener is April 3 against the Omaha Beef. How they play during their five home games in April will go a long way toward attracting a fan base.
Kokalis said he hoped to draw 2,000 spectators to the Spartans' coming-out party (and it was a party, complete with inflatables and a rock band). There still were people filing in when I left at 7:30, but I'd guess Kokalis' goal fell short by about 1,000.
That's OK, though. It's also all right if you're looking at the Spartans with some degree of skepticism. They've got some time to win you over and not just be the team coached by former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle/Super Bowl champ Gilbert Brown.
The seven years between the Night Train's demise and the Spartans' arrival left the Center without a local sports team for far too long. Don't feel too bad for Center director Art Fahey. He has two other events booked this weekend. He seemingly has no problem filling open dates.
But Fahey is a sports fan. And the sight of people in his building on a chilly Friday night, even if it just was a scrimmage, made him smile.
I believe an indoor football team can succeed here despite an economy that's been worked over more than Brett Favre was last weekend by the New Orleans Saints. Judging by the advertisements on the dasherboards and around the Center - I counted more than 30 - quite a few local businesses didn't run screaming from Kokalis when he approached them.
But it all comes down to the product on the field when it comes to putting fannies in the seats for the Spartans' eight home games. The River Rats and Night Train were a combined 7-35. I don't know how good the Spartans can be. No one does.
But Kokalis really wants the Spartans to be a success story. He has said time and again he wants to be here for the long haul. Let's give him a chance to show it.
A look of concern momentarily flashed across Chris Kokalis' face Friday night. There was nothing to see here - at least not yet.
A couple of gate crashers at the La Crosse Center wanted to start La Crosse Spartans Family Night - otherwise known as the unofficial start of Act Three of indoor football in the Coulee Region - a bit early. It was 5:25 p.m. The kids football clinic was scheduled to start at 5:30. The opening-night itinerary said so. Kokalis, the Spartans' co-owner, said so. No exceptions.
"Do not open the doors," Kokalis told one of his employees. "We have to make sure everything looks good."
Kokalis was referring to the field. But he seems just as committed to making the Spartans a franchise to be admired. And even after the La Crosse Night Train (2002-03) and La Crosse River Rats (2000) - the city's last two indoor football teams/dumpster fires that left us charred and scarred - we owe him that.
Friday night was a scrimmage/get-to-know-us event - the Spartans' dress rehearsal to the dress rehearsal. They'll host the Green Bay Blizzard in an exhibition game Feb. 21. Their home opener is April 3 against the Omaha Beef. How they play during their five home games in April will go a long way toward attracting a fan base.
Kokalis said he hoped to draw 2,000 spectators to the Spartans' coming-out party (and it was a party, complete with inflatables and a rock band). There still were people filing in when I left at 7:30, but I'd guess Kokalis' goal fell short by about 1,000.
That's OK, though. It's also all right if you're looking at the Spartans with some degree of skepticism. They've got some time to win you over and not just be the team coached by former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle/Super Bowl champ Gilbert Brown.
The seven years between the Night Train's demise and the Spartans' arrival left the Center without a local sports team for far too long. Don't feel too bad for Center director Art Fahey. He has two other events booked this weekend. He seemingly has no problem filling open dates.
But Fahey is a sports fan. And the sight of people in his building on a chilly Friday night, even if it just was a scrimmage, made him smile.
I believe an indoor football team can succeed here despite an economy that's been worked over more than Brett Favre was last weekend by the New Orleans Saints. Judging by the advertisements on the dasherboards and around the Center - I counted more than 30 - quite a few local businesses didn't run screaming from Kokalis when he approached them.
But it all comes down to the product on the field when it comes to putting fannies in the seats for the Spartans' eight home games. The River Rats and Night Train were a combined 7-35. I don't know how good the Spartans can be. No one does.
But Kokalis really wants the Spartans to be a success story. He has said time and again he wants to be here for the long haul. Let's give him a chance to show it.