Lilavois Announces Major News About Bolts' Future
December 12, 2012 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Anaheim Bolts News Release
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Bernie Lilavois, who started the current PASL campaign as CEO, Managing Partner and Head Coach of the Anaheim Bolts, has announced that Saturday's road clash with the Arizona Storm will likely be his last on the Bolts bench. Following a rocky start to the season off the field, Lilavois has decided to focus all of his attention on the franchise's business and operations. The search for a new Head Coach starts immediately.
Going forward, Lilavois' title will be that of General Manager, as the former star striker will oversee a sweeping overhaul of the club whose struggles behind the scenes translated into publicly visible problems in this past Sunday's home meeting with Turlock Express. As his first order of business, Lilavois has postponed the December 14 U.S. Open Cup first round match in order to completely revamp the Anaheim Convention Center Arena and turn it into a top-notch venue for the December 27 home game against the Mexico Toros.
Plans for several exciting promotions for the clash with the Toros are already in the making and will be announced over the course of the coming two weeks. Anyone who has purchased tickets to Friday's Open Cup match may still use them for the new date (to be announced shortly) or exchange them for tickets to any 2012-13 regular season home fixture. For more information, please call the Anaheim Convention Center Arena box office at 714-765-8980.
"We realize we let down our fans, the ownership group, our sponsors and partners, and the city of Anaheim on Sunday," Lilavois said. "In addition to the attendance continuing to be below expectations, it is completely unacceptable for a team with such high ambitions to have to play a game without plexiglass around its turf and with patches of that turf coming loose and advertising banners falling down during the match.
"All those problems were a reflection of operational issues behind the scenes that have made our life difficult since the beginning of the season. I have decided that enough is enough and that our supporters deserve better. That's why I am dedicating all my time and energy to turning the Bolts into an organization worthy of being called Anaheim 's third professional sports franchise. That means fixing the operational problems we have and attracting more fans to our games."
Lilavois and the Bolts front office are currently working very closely with the City of Anaheim and the Anaheim Convention Center Arena, both of whom have done everything in their power to support the franchise's new direction.
"We'd like to thank everyone who has stood by us through our recent growing pains and has continued to believe it's our destiny to thrive in Orange County," the Bolts General Manager said. "We'd also like to extend our gratitude to those who spoke up after Sunday's game to voice their concerns and offer suggestions.
"It has been a humbling experience to receive so much encouraging and constructive feedback, and that has reassured all of us in our commitment to turning the Bolts into one of the premier professional sports franchises in Southern California . We'd like to invite everyone to come check us out in two weeks to witness some of the major changes firsthand, as we look to create a gameday experience that is in line with the standards of excellence that have won the Anaheim Convention Center Arena the 2012 IAVM Venue Excellence Award."
The Bolts' December 27 meeting with the visiting Mexico Toros is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. PT . Tickets start at $12 and may be purchased through Ticketmaster or the Anaheim Convention Center Arena box office. Parking is free. For more information, please call the Bolts front office at 714-321-9898 or the Anaheim Convention Center Arena at 714-765-8980.
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