BarbaraPatterson
09-12-2006, 03:24 AM
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/15496525.htm
Lions roar into town
Owners hope third time's the charm for indoor football
BY DAMON LAWRENCE
Staff Writer
Rick Jacobson was involved with the Columbus Wardogs and Chattahoochee Valley Vipers, two indoor football teams that failed to make it in Columbus. Jacobson is now involved with the city's third, and he's confident this one, named the Columbus Lions, won't suffer the same fate as the other two.
"This ownership group is the best we've ever had in Columbus," Jacobson said.
This group, headed by Daytona Beach, Fla., businessman Zack McDonald, introduced itself to the community Monday. Four local business owners, Kike Seda (A-1 Postage Meters & Shipping Systems), Shep Mullin (Premiere Realtors of Columbus) and Joe and Angela Wagenti (VRoooom Technology) also have a stake in the team.
"I think we need some local participation in these minor league sports in order for them to be successful," Mullin said. "That's why I'm buying in and we're excited about it."
The owners, head coach Jason Gibson and Jacobson, who is serving as the team's vice president of sales and marketing, all spoke at the press conference at the Columbus Civic Center. Each expressed enthusiasm and spoke of the potential prosperity that can be achieved in Columbus.
Now comes the hard part, trying to sale indoor football to a community that's been lukewarm at best to embrace it in the past.
After four seasons of low attendance and financial losses, the Wardogs (af2) decided enough was enough and left town following the 2004 season. The AIFL Vipers, last season's Civic Center tenant, was booted out of town after the city terminated their lease agreement last month. McDonald said he wasn't bothered by those past failures.
"I don't think that the programs have ever been run to their fullest potential," he said.
By paying for the team's rent upfront ($30,500) and bringing in local owners, D. J. Jones, who once served in the Wardogs front office, said McDonald has already made big strides in the community.
"I'd like to see a little bit more diversity, but he's on the right trail," Jones said.
McDonald is also part owner and CEO of the Daytona Beach Thunder. The Lions and Thunder, along with teams in Rome, Ga., Augusta, Ga., Raleigh, N.C., and Osceola, Fla., currently make up the WIFL. McDonald said the league is scheduled to start play next February.
The Lions primary colors are royal blue and silver. The owners decided on the name.
"The owners group just kind of liked it and we felt that it was very marketable," McDonald said.
Lions roar into town
Owners hope third time's the charm for indoor football
BY DAMON LAWRENCE
Staff Writer
Rick Jacobson was involved with the Columbus Wardogs and Chattahoochee Valley Vipers, two indoor football teams that failed to make it in Columbus. Jacobson is now involved with the city's third, and he's confident this one, named the Columbus Lions, won't suffer the same fate as the other two.
"This ownership group is the best we've ever had in Columbus," Jacobson said.
This group, headed by Daytona Beach, Fla., businessman Zack McDonald, introduced itself to the community Monday. Four local business owners, Kike Seda (A-1 Postage Meters & Shipping Systems), Shep Mullin (Premiere Realtors of Columbus) and Joe and Angela Wagenti (VRoooom Technology) also have a stake in the team.
"I think we need some local participation in these minor league sports in order for them to be successful," Mullin said. "That's why I'm buying in and we're excited about it."
The owners, head coach Jason Gibson and Jacobson, who is serving as the team's vice president of sales and marketing, all spoke at the press conference at the Columbus Civic Center. Each expressed enthusiasm and spoke of the potential prosperity that can be achieved in Columbus.
Now comes the hard part, trying to sale indoor football to a community that's been lukewarm at best to embrace it in the past.
After four seasons of low attendance and financial losses, the Wardogs (af2) decided enough was enough and left town following the 2004 season. The AIFL Vipers, last season's Civic Center tenant, was booted out of town after the city terminated their lease agreement last month. McDonald said he wasn't bothered by those past failures.
"I don't think that the programs have ever been run to their fullest potential," he said.
By paying for the team's rent upfront ($30,500) and bringing in local owners, D. J. Jones, who once served in the Wardogs front office, said McDonald has already made big strides in the community.
"I'd like to see a little bit more diversity, but he's on the right trail," Jones said.
McDonald is also part owner and CEO of the Daytona Beach Thunder. The Lions and Thunder, along with teams in Rome, Ga., Augusta, Ga., Raleigh, N.C., and Osceola, Fla., currently make up the WIFL. McDonald said the league is scheduled to start play next February.
The Lions primary colors are royal blue and silver. The owners decided on the name.
"The owners group just kind of liked it and we felt that it was very marketable," McDonald said.