Post by fwp on Mar 21, 2010 8:05:52 GMT -5
www.frontiersman.com/articles/2010/03/21/sports/doc4ba5c3cfea8ba231031103.txt
WASILLA — When Hans Deemer initially committed himself to the goal of helping to bring professional indoor football to the Mat-Su Valley, the longtime local coach found a variety motivators.
First and foremost there was Deemer’s clear love for football, both the outdoor and indoor varieties. But in addition to that, Deemer also wanted to help provide another source of entertainment for Valley families.
Now, with the home debut of the Arctic Predators professional indoor football franchise just a week away, Deemer is calling for all the local outdoor football fans to step inside and see what the indoor game has to offer. Deemer also wants fans to leave any prejudice toward pro sports behind. “Some people are so worried about pro sports,” Deemer said, referring to escalating costs that seem to plague some leagues.
Deemer said the Predators organization did its best to keep costs reasonable for local fans. The Predators have divided its home arena, Sicily’s Field at the Menard Memorial Sports Center, into sections with four different prices. Costs for single tickets range from $15 for the upper standing-room-only section to $50 for the sideline club. Premium seats are separated into $25 for the upper section and $35 for the lower section.
The Predators also offer a seven-game season ticket package for $150. Deemer said the team will offer season ticket package discounts for families buying for four fans or more.
Deemer also stressed the importance of ticket sales for the young team.
“It might be the difference between survival and not surviving,” Deemer said.
The Predators will hit the turf for the first time next Sunday at 2 p.m., hosting American Indoor Football Association rival Yakima Valley. The Predators made their AIFA debut Saturday night in San Jose, Calif., against the San Jose Wolves. Results were unavailable prior to press time.
Deemer, a former local coach at the youth and prep level and a past head coach of the Indoor Football League’s Alaska Wild, has lured a group of local mentors to help kick off the franchise. Randy Magner, a longtime head coach of the Colony High School football program, is on board as the team’s director of football operations. Kent Rilatos and Howie Marks, other coaches with local ties, will coach the team’s linemen.
The Predators have also put together the team’s first roster. The list of players includes talent with Division I and prior indoor football league experience. Lineman Eric Gaskins, a former player at Division I Wake Forest, could be a team leader, Deemer said. Deemer also noted lineman DePhillip Harris, who played with the IFL’s Fairbanks Grizzlies last season.
Leading the list of players with local ties is Wasilla native T.J. Crenshaw. Deemer said the former member of the Wasilla Warriors is starting at linebacker.
WASILLA — When Hans Deemer initially committed himself to the goal of helping to bring professional indoor football to the Mat-Su Valley, the longtime local coach found a variety motivators.
First and foremost there was Deemer’s clear love for football, both the outdoor and indoor varieties. But in addition to that, Deemer also wanted to help provide another source of entertainment for Valley families.
Now, with the home debut of the Arctic Predators professional indoor football franchise just a week away, Deemer is calling for all the local outdoor football fans to step inside and see what the indoor game has to offer. Deemer also wants fans to leave any prejudice toward pro sports behind. “Some people are so worried about pro sports,” Deemer said, referring to escalating costs that seem to plague some leagues.
Deemer said the Predators organization did its best to keep costs reasonable for local fans. The Predators have divided its home arena, Sicily’s Field at the Menard Memorial Sports Center, into sections with four different prices. Costs for single tickets range from $15 for the upper standing-room-only section to $50 for the sideline club. Premium seats are separated into $25 for the upper section and $35 for the lower section.
The Predators also offer a seven-game season ticket package for $150. Deemer said the team will offer season ticket package discounts for families buying for four fans or more.
Deemer also stressed the importance of ticket sales for the young team.
“It might be the difference between survival and not surviving,” Deemer said.
The Predators will hit the turf for the first time next Sunday at 2 p.m., hosting American Indoor Football Association rival Yakima Valley. The Predators made their AIFA debut Saturday night in San Jose, Calif., against the San Jose Wolves. Results were unavailable prior to press time.
Deemer, a former local coach at the youth and prep level and a past head coach of the Indoor Football League’s Alaska Wild, has lured a group of local mentors to help kick off the franchise. Randy Magner, a longtime head coach of the Colony High School football program, is on board as the team’s director of football operations. Kent Rilatos and Howie Marks, other coaches with local ties, will coach the team’s linemen.
The Predators have also put together the team’s first roster. The list of players includes talent with Division I and prior indoor football league experience. Lineman Eric Gaskins, a former player at Division I Wake Forest, could be a team leader, Deemer said. Deemer also noted lineman DePhillip Harris, who played with the IFL’s Fairbanks Grizzlies last season.
Leading the list of players with local ties is Wasilla native T.J. Crenshaw. Deemer said the former member of the Wasilla Warriors is starting at linebacker.