Are you ready for Thunder football on PBS?
December 13, 2005 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Daytona Beach Thunder News Release
In what can be described as a very unique partnership, the Daytona Beach Thunder of the American Indoor Football League and DBCC Public Broadcasting Channel 15 - the area PBS affiliate - have teamed up for the 2006 season.
DBCC Public Broadcasting Channel 15 will produce and air eight editions of "Thirty Minutes of Thunder and Lightning," featuring game highlights, profiles of players, dance team members and the team's community involvements. A documentary detailing the development of an indoor football team will also be produced and distributed nationally. In return, owners Kevin and Zack McDonald announce that the Thunder's playing field in the Ocean Center will be named "PBS 15 Field" for the 2006 season.
"This is an extremely exciting development that is going to take this team to new heights," Zack McDonald said. "We are all about getting our players visibility so they can make it to the next level. This is the first vehicle."
"To be associated with an organization with the prestige of DBCC Public Broadcasting Channel 15 is incredible," stated McDonald. "This is going to be a great partnership."
The show is among the first of its kind among the five indoor leagues nationally.
Granted, indoor football may not be among the typical PBS fare, but it is part of WCEU General Manager Bruce Dunn's commitment to providing local programming.
Dunn, a former ballplayer himself and freelance producer for ESPN's College Gameday and Big Ten football broadcasts, read the Thunder's newsletter in the Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce's monthly mailing and, after noticing members of the Thunder staff and the team's community involvement, contacted the team.
"It's a unique opportunity to be involved with a football franchise from the outset,'' Dunn said. "The Thunder's energy and commitment to becoming a first-class operation is impressive. We're going to have a lot of fun as well as producing a top-of-the-line program to showcase the community."
Thunder video coordinator Ryan Charlick, a DBCC student, will serve as an assistant producer for the show and has been given office space at DBCC Public Broadcasting Channel 15 and access to the station's state-of-the-art production facility. After the shows airings on the station, it will then be converted and downloaded on the team's web site.
"Ryan's office is bigger than mine,'' McDonald kidded. "It's a great opportunity for him and I'm thrilled that he has it."
Head Coach/General Manager Ervin Bryson will be joined by host Hank Foley in breaking down the game film.
"It's a dream come true to have not only a coaches' show, but a program that highlights the hard work of everybody involved with the Thunder," Bryson said.
DBCC Public Broadcasting - Channel 15 is a department of Daytona Beach Community College and the local PBS affiliate. Channel 15 will air this program as part of its ongoing commitment to quality programming. For more information, contact Camri McCormick at (386) 506-4415.
The Thunder, an expansion team in the second-year American Indoor Football League, begins play February 2006 in the Ocean Center. Locally owned and operated the Thunder is committed to providing first-class, family-oriented sports entertainment while serving its community in a professional manner. For more information, contact (386) 423-0560 or visit www.dbthunder.net.
American Indoor Football Association Stories from December 13, 2005
- WR Lindsey signs with Renegades - Rome Renegades
- Rebels to Host Final Tryout of 2005 - Raleigh Rebels
- Rebels to hold press conference Thursday - Raleigh Rebels
- Are you ready for Thunder football on PBS? - Daytona Beach Thunder
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.
