The OSC Interview: Trenton Freedom Owner Dennis Williams
by Fran Stuchbury
June 5, 2014 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Trenton Freedom
OurSports Central Contributor Fran Stuchbury recently interviewed Trenton Freedom co-owner Dennis Williams. The Freedom is playing its first season in the Professional Indoor Football League.
Fran Stuchbury: What interested you and Michael Schubiger in bringing an indoor football team to Trenton? How did you come up with the nickname Freedom?
Dennis Williams: Mike and I both grew up in New Jersey and I, in particular, grew up in Trenton. With both of us living right across the river today, it seemed natural to pick Trenton. And since we're both football fanatics, indoor football seemed like the natural choice. As far as the name 'Freedom,' it was like picking a name for a child or a pet. You come up with something and then you say it over and over to yourself until you decide if you like the "sound" of it. And we certainly went through a lot of possibilities. Ultimately, we wanted a name that referenced Trenton's history and that said something about the city. Given the role Trenton played in the American Revolution, Freedom became the best choice.
FS: Why did you choose to play in the Professional Indoor Football League compared to other leagues that were options?
DW: We liked the PIFL because it had a track record of success and was actively expanding into our area, creating some natural rivalries. We also liked the business model where we are free to promote our teams as the "hometown guys", much as they do in minor league baseball, rather than focus on the league.
FS: How do you like the arena, the Sun Bank National Center? Was that the only place that was considered for the Freedom to play?
DW: The Sun National Bank Center was our first choice and we were fortunate to craft an agreement with the arena's management early on in the process. We didn't really "shop around" because we really wanted our team to play in Trenton.
FS: What was the decision-making progress on playing on a red turf? I have been to a game and it looks great.
DW: The original turf we had was simply not up to professional level. Our sons, Will Schubiger and Jimmy Andrews, did a lot of research on types of turf that were available and could be ready for the season. They really liked the idea of doing something "different" and sold us on the red carpet concept. We're glad they did.
FS: Are you happy with the job Freedom head coach Kevin O'Hanlon has done so far this season?
DW: We're an expansion team with the best record in the league and we're in control of our own destiny as far as the playoffs are concerned. I couldn't be more pleased with the job Kevin has done.
FS: Great move by the Freedom to have the coaches show in two different areas, Hamilton, NJ, and Yardley, PA, to cater to fans who live in the area. Is the team marketing itself to parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania since Trenton is not that far a trip for fans?
DW: We've learned that more than half of the Trenton Thunder's fans come from Bucks County and we're actively trying to market there as well as in Mercer County and surrounding areas of New Jersey. It is challenging, though, because we don't get the same level of press coverage that we enjoy with the two Trenton newspapers.
FS: Do you feel the team is developing a good rivalry with the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks, since the teams are not the far from each other?
DW: The Steelhawks' management has been extremely helpful to us in getting our team off the ground, and the on-field rivalry is a great benefit to both clubs.
FS: The Freedom has done a wonderful job keeping fans updated on social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Is that an important way to keep fans up to date on what is going on with the Freedom?
DW: I'm a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to technology, but I have to admit social media is the future. We put a lot of time and energy into keeping fans informed using Facebook and Twitter. They're the most cost-effective and most immediate forms of communication we have.
FS: Talk about some of the things they have done this season to make the fans feel like they are part of the team.
DW: I'm particularly proud of the community outreach activities the players have performed, such as reading to children and playing sports with kids at area schools. Another great success has been our relationship with ARC-Mercer, which started as a simple request for some tickets to a game but now we have ARC clients as our ball boys and locker room attendants and both organizations support each other's programs and events.
FS: Right now the Freedom has the best record in the PIFL at 6-2. How big would it be for the community if the Freedom continue its winning ways and goes on to win a championship?
DW: I think anything we can do to highlight the positives that take place in Trenton is important. A championship would go a long way to promoting the city as well as the Freedom.
FS: Is the Freedom committed to coming back for the 2015 season?
DW: Absolutely. We're already making our plans and arrangements for next year.
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Professional Indoor Football League Stories from June 5, 2014
- Great Harrisburg Red out with the Herd - Harrisburg Stampede
- The OSC Interview: Trenton Freedom Owner Dennis Williams - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- The OSC Interview: Trenton Freedom Owner Dennis Williams - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- The OSC Interview: Trenton Freedom Owner Dennis Williams - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
