Chicagoland Sports announces chief operating officer to oversee UHL and UIF teams

Published on August 1, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Chicago Hounds News Release


Hoffman Estates, Ill. (July 31, 2006) -- Chicagoland Sports, LLC is extremely excited to announce Art Clarkson has accepted the position as Chief Operating Officer. Clarkson will oversee all front office and team operations. Eric Margenau, CEO/Chairman of Chicagoland Sports, LLC made the announcement.

Clarkson brings more than 20 years of experience as a team owner and managing partner of minor league teams. He brings a winning attitude and proven formula for success in both indoor football and minor league hockey. In 2001, Clarkson was awarded the Thilman & Filippini Executive of the year award and in 2003 he was recognized with the Arena Football2 Executive of the Year award. His passion for sports and commitment to the fans will be obvious as the seasons start.

Most recently, Clarkson was an owner of the United Indoor Football (UIF) league's Rock River Raptors in Rockford, IL (previously the Tennessee Valley Vipers). While with the Vipers/Raptors, Clarkson was involved in every aspect of the organization from front office to football staff. Under his leadership, the Vipers/Raptors won their division 6 of 7 years, played in the semi-finals 5 consecutive years, and battled to an appearance in the Arena Cup game. Clarkson attributes this success to his affiliation with some of the finest coaches in the indoor football.

Prior to the Raptors, Clarkson was instrumental in bringing hockey to Birmingham, Alabama when he introduced the Birmingham Bulls as an expansion team in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). Clarkson's Bulls set 6 ECHL attendance records, including the league's third largest crowd ever of 15,141.

"Art Clarkson understands how to give the fans a great experience," said Eric Margenau, CEO/Chairman of Chicagoland Sports, "he knows how to put together a winning operation and how to motivate success. This will be a very exciting year for fans that come out to see UHL and UIF games and we are fortunate to have Art driving these teams."

Clarkson's move to Hoffman Estates is supported by his wife, Kathy, and two grown children, Matt and Alison. "I moved down from Rockford for one simple reason, this opportunity with UHL, UIF, and the Sears Centre was too good to pass up," explained Clarkson about his decision to relocate, "I am excited about this opportunity and the people I am working with right now."

Both the UHL Hounds and the UIF team will be playing in the all new Sears Centre located in Hoffman Estates, IL. The hockey season will begin play in October 2006 with their inaugural home game coming November 3rd at the Sears Centre. Indoor football starts March 2007.

The Sears Centre is an 11,000-seat state of the art multi-purpose family entertainment, sports and cultural center under construction in Hoffman Estates' Prairie Stone Business Park. Located right at I-90 and Route 59, it will host more than 135 events each year, and is projected to attract more than 750,000 annual visitors.

Season ticket and sponsorship packages are now available -- for more information on Chicagoland Sports, LLC and the Chicago Hounds please call 847.882.2255 or visit www.chicagohounds.com.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from August 1, 2006


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