Heat to Bring Back Professional Indoor Soccer to Harrisburg
Published on May 2, 2012 under Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Harrisburg Heat News Release
The Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL) and the Harrisburg Heat Sports Group, LLC (HHSG, LLC) jointly announced on Wednesday that the PASL Board of Directors has unanimously approved the return of the Harrisburg Heat professional indoor soccer franchise for the 2012-13 PASL season. Additionally, the Harrisburg Heat, named after the original Harrisburg Heat first formed in 1991, are set to play their home matches at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center beginning in November, according to David Grimaldi, General Manager of HHSG, LLC, the operating group of the Harrisburg Heat.
"My words may not accurately express how excited and proud we are to 'turn up the Heat' again in Harrisburg," stated Grimaldi during an early afternoon press event at The Farm Show. "This day has been our goal for many years. We thank the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its Department of Agriculture for their approval and for paving the way for the Heat to once again call The Farm Show our home. To the Heat fans of Harrisburg and central Pennsylvania, we thank you for your patience and your loyalty. We are also pleased that Sports City will once again serve as the official business office and training center of the Harrisburg Heat."
Professional indoor soccer, also known as arena soccer, was last played in Harrisburg in 2003. The original Harrisburg Heat played 12 seasons at the Farm Show as part of the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) which became the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) and often blazed to the top of the league in attendance while under the ownership of Dr. Rex Herbert.
Led by such notable coaches as Jim Pollihan and Richard Chinapoo, the fantastic Harrisburg Heat fans were witness to such great players as Mark Pulisic, Bill Becher, Lee Tchantret, David Bascome, Bob Lilley, Doug Petras, and Todd Smith, to name a few, as the Heat won two division titles and made one championship appearance (1994-95 season).
"The addition of the Heat marks a milestone for the league as this expands our footprint to the East Coast," said PASL Commissioner Kevin Milliken. "Harrisburg has a strong arena soccer history and we're excited to bring the sport back to that market. We are fortunate to have someone like David Grimaldi managing the Heat. His career in our sport has spanned five decades, at all levels, and his experience invaluable."
"We recognize that the Heat has a long and storied history at the Farm Show and we are also excited for the return of the Heat and professional indoor soccer to Harrisburg and central Pennsylvania." added Patrick Kerwin, Executive Director of the Farm Show. "Hosting these games adds to our vast portfolio of offerings for all to enjoy and reaffirms our commitment to provide first-class, affordable, and family-oriented events."
Season ticket packages are available through the Heat's official website at HarrisburgHeat.com. All season ticket plans include a 10-game package (8 regular season games, 1 playoff game, plus one additional game to be determined) with each box seat priced at $160, with centerfield seats at $130 per seat, while seats behind each goal cost $100, and a general arena bowl seat is priced $80. Parking fees are included in the season ticket price.
Grimaldi was a four-year letterman at Rutgers University, serving as team captain for his junior and senior seasons. The defender was drafted by the Dallas Tornado of the NASL in 1977. His playing rights were traded to the Memphis Rogues where he played for the legendary player and coach Eddie McCreadie. Grimaldi started his professional indoor soccer career with the Cleveland Force of the original MISL in 1979 where he also played with and was coached by McCreadie. He was also team caption for the Force. Following his playing career, Grimaldi entered the business world where he worked for American Express and Federal Express. Later, Grimaldi joined the front office of the MISL and ascended to Deputy Commissioner before being named Commissioner in 2009.
About the PASL
With the addition of the Harrisburg Heat, the PASL enters its fifth season boasting 14 members, counting the Illinois Piasa, Cincinnati Kings, Ohio Vortex, Louisville Lightning, Detroit Waza, Kansas Magic, San Diego Sockers, Anaheim Bolts, Arizona Storm, Tacoma Stars, Revolucion Tijuana, Turlock Express, and the newly announced Dallas Sidekicks. The season runs from November through March with each team playing 18 games, comprised of 16 regular season league contests (8 home/8 away), plus two US Open tilts. The top four teams based on win percentage at the conclusion of the regular season advance to PASL playoffs. The semifinals winners proceed to the championship where they play for The Ron Newman Cup. The game schedule for the upcoming season is expected to be announced in late summer or early fall. The developmental league of the PASL, the Premier Arena Soccer League (PASL-Premier), is now in its 15th season as the nation's top amateur arena soccer league. The PASL and PASL-Premier are members of Federacion Internacional de Futbol Rapido (FIFRA).
About the Pennsylvania Farm Show
The Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, a historic arena built in 1939 with a fixed seating capacity of 7,318, is home to a host of exciting events. Featuring more than 200 shows and events each year, and utilizing nearly one million square feet of indoor floor space, the complex is one of the premier event locations in Pennsylvania. The flexibility of the complex allows it to host major events around the entire facility, a private meeting, or anything in between. That flexibility also allows it to hold numerous events of different types throughout the complex, while providing each with the intention it deserves.
About Sports City HBG
Sports City HBG stands as the original indoor soccer facility in Harrisburg, providing wall-to-wall excitement to the central Pennsylvania community since 1990. Sports City offers leagues, tournaments, instruction, and pickup games for many sports, including soccer, lacrosse, basketball, field hockey, volleyball, and any other sport one can play indoors. They also host special events such as trade shows, professional sporting events, corporate expositions, and parties. All fields, rooms and courts are available for rent for parties of all kinds including birthday, graduation, and team parties. We also have a snack bar and video games available for our customers' use.
Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from May 2, 2012
- Heat to Bring Back Professional Indoor Soccer to Harrisburg - Harrisburg Heat
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