Steelheads press conference

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Hmmmmm. Sounds a little like Trinity Sports and Entertainment Group (TSEG).

http://www.post-trib.com/sports/140080,steelies.article

The new ownership group is called Showtime Sports and Entertainment LLC, and will also promote concerts and other events at the Genesis Center.

"Our first priority is the Steelheads, but it's a little more than the Steelheads," Harris Jr. said. "We want to bring more traffic to the Genesis Center, and assist the city in making it a destination point for entertainment."

I hope that includes bringing UHL hockey to Gary.

[MJHankel]

I have been dying for some info about what is going on. Their website said they were going to make an official announcement on the 4th of this month a while ago, and there was nothing.

On a side note UHL would be awesome,

Do you think a minor league Arena Football team Could work in the Genesis Center?

The city has already proven that people will come in from other cities for sports i.e. the RailCats, and hopefully with the decreased price of Franchise for the Steelheads they will be able to advertise that better.

I think that Gary could easily support a few more teams... A major league would be nice, but I'd take what I can get.

[MJHankel]

As it is

Victory Sports Group, LLC (Owners of the Gary SouthShore RailCats). Own a UHL team in Moline, Illinois (the Quad City Mallards) maybe the two ownership groups should set something up...Or maybe move the team.

I do not know, just thought I'd mention it...

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I think the Gary area could support hockey, indoor football, AND spring basketball at the Genesis Center. However as a result, the Northwest Indiana sponsorship, season ticket, and group sales dollars would be stretched to the max because you also have Railcats baseball in downtown Gary. I would not want to see arena football come to Gary simply because too many of Gary's minor league seasons would overlap (and I personally prefer a more defensive game since I'm a long time Bears fan). The USBL alone going directly against Northern League baseball alone will be challenging enough.

Hockey would fit-in well though since the Steelheads moved to a Spring league. Currently, the only winter sport going on in downtown Gary is billiards at the Sports bar across the street from U.S. Steel Yard.

[BreakersFan]

As it is

Victory Sports Group, LLC (Owners of the Gary SouthShore RailCats). Own a UHL team in Moline, Illinois (the Quad City Mallards) maybe the two ownership groups should set something up...Or maybe move the team.

I do not know, just thought I'd mention it...

Hmmm that is interesting as the Quad Cities have been rumored to be getting an AHL team

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Link to the Post-Tribune account of the press conference:

http://www.post-trib.com/sports/146217,steelheads.article

"The Gary Steelheads are playing again in April of 2007," said Jewel Harris Jr. "The Steelheads are joining the United States Basketball League," added Harris Jr. as Gary mayor Rudy Clay sat to his right.

"God has smiled on Gary again," said Clay referring to the Steelheads and their new ownership group Showtime Sports and Entertainment. "The city of Gary deserves what they are getting here today," added Clay.


You know you have support from local government when the mayor says something like the above. Denise Pulphus of the ABA Hammond Rollers should have RUN--not walked away from Hammond when she didn't receive such kind words from the Hammond mayor. Too late now though.

Levingston will have plenty of talent to pick from, but he hasn't wasted anytime signing players. The first year head coach extended offers to two former Steelheads, Larry House, who is currently playing in Regionalliga of Germany, and local product Lonnie Randolph.


Yeah that's great, but inquiring minds want to know the really important stuff. Like when is the Draft Party (or is it drafts party)?

[MJHankel]

So does this mean a new floor scheme in the Genesis Center and new uniforms, and is Stealie still gonna be the mascot or is he gonna be replaced too?

I am just curious is all,

They also really need to update their website better, they replaced the CBA button on the top of there page with USBL but when you click it it tells you about the CBA.

Not to mention that when you click on about (not the sub sctions) it still states:

Owner & Chief Executive Officer: Jewell G. Harris, Sr.

Director of Basketball Operations & Head Coach: Duane Ticknor

I mean Duane Ticknor has not been the coach for some time now.

I don't know just rambling now I guess

[MJHankel]

well I guess they have sorta updated the League history article though it still says CBA at the top

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

So does this mean a new floor scheme in the Genesis Center and new uniforms, and is Stealie still gonna be the mascot or is he gonna be replaced too?
...

Steelie is still going to be the mascot. I don't know for certain about the floor scheme, but if I understand this ownership group like I think I do then the new logo will be at center court and any CBA logos will be gone.

Gary gets new uniforms every season and sells some of the old "game worn" jerseys in the merchandise shops. I don't see why that should change. Hopefully, the way they utilize the (two) suites will change though. The Steelheads were missing-out on revenue by not renting out the available suite to corporations.

[nksports]

Currently, the only winter sport going on in downtown Gary is billiards at the Sports bar across the street from U.S. Steel Yard.

That can be pretty mean in itself. Just remember, always use the house cues or they'll think you're trying to hustle them.

[MJHankel]

Ok I know this is totally off subject but why has there been almost nothing at the Genesis Center the past few years?

I just found out that the Hammond Civic Center is Hosting the WWE this month.

The Genesis Center is bigger why no use???

Also they seriously need to replace their signs they have been there a long time and now that they are just dosn the block from the Steelyard they look like crap.

I really hope this new ownership group brings on some new entertainment.