Newest Copperheads GM committed, focused
June 19, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Texas Copperheads News Release
As a former Corpus Christi radio talk show host, newspaper editor, and pro football team media liaison, Mike Aradillas knows a thing or two about engraining himself into a community. The Texas Copperheads newest selection to guide the business side of the franchise took over in February, and he has brought with him a very committed, focused attitude towards what it will take to turn around the struggling af2 team.
"We are going to do things the right way, and are going to focus on the details of every aspect of this football team," said Aradillas. "We strive to be champions and have very high expectations. For anybody worth their salt, that should be the only goal you have."
Aradillas has been on board for a little over five months, and has settled into his role as the Director of Sales and Marketing underneath Vice President Larry Linde and team owner Doug MacGregor, who controls nine different af2 franchises. His first move was to evaluate the current status of his operation before he made any decisions, and since then, he believes that he has begun to steer the ship in the right direction.
Despite the many obstacles that the Copperheads face in turning themselves into a profitable and successful endeavor - such as trying to turn around the negative aura that many local business owners and Cypress area residents have, the sluggish ways of the Cy-Fair ISD bureaucracy when they ask for marketing help, and a last-place record on the field - Aradillas is hopeful about his chances to improve on the team's average of just over 2,300 fans per home game, the third lowest mark in the league.
"We truly believe that we will be able to convince the general public to spend their hard-earned dollars with us," said Aradillas. "We sell family-oriented entertainment that is very affordable, and you get a lot for your money at a Copperheads game."
Another challenge that Aradillas faces is trying to trying to engrain the idea into the local sports fan's head, that Houston has another professional sports team to follow other than the Astros, Rockets, Texans, Aeros and Dynamo. "Unlike some of the other af2 teams that play in a smaller market, we're up against the big boys in a city that has over a million people. In a lot of those other places, their game is the only one in town."
Although he has no exact marketing strategy, Aradillas has taken a two-pronged approach in the team's effort to advertise their product. All of the Copperheads home games are being broadcast live on ESPN Radio 97.5 The Ticket, and he has thrown a blanket over the 15-mile square radius around the Berry Center to try and reach residents with a direct marketing campaign. In addition, the team donated close to 4,000 game tickets to Cy-Fair ISD students and employees this season.
The team is in the second year of a three-year contract to play games and rent space at the Berry, and Aradillas is not sure when negotiations will begin with the district on the next contract. But he insists he has never been given any indication from ownership that they are not in it for the long haul. "We are completely committed to the members of this community, to our fans, and to the goal of winning a league championship."
First-year head coach Ollie Guidry has his squad at 2-9 following a 2-14 campaign last year. "But the difference is that our players, coaches and the entire staff is giving it everything they have trying to improve, get better, and win games this year," said Aradillas. "When you watch us play, there's no doubt about our effort."
Management has already begun plotting their strategy for the 2009 season, as the team prepares to play three of their final four regular-season games on the road. The last two chances to catch the 2008 Copperheads in action at the Berry will be this Saturday night, June 21 at 7:30 pm against the Corpus Christi Sharks and on Saturday, July 12 when they take on the Central Valley Coyotes at 7:30 pm.
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
