Family Fun Day and season ticket rush continues Hawgs' momentum in Daytona Beach
February 8, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Daytona Beach Hawgs News Release
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. â Scurrying around making their last minute preparations, organizers of the Daytona Beach Hawgs Family Fun Day and Season Ticket Rush glanced outside the doors of the Ocean Center and were rewarded almost right away for their effort.
"Can we declare this a success now and get it over with?" smiled Director of Communications Dan Ryan.
Well, the day wouldn't be over with for another three hours, and the success of the National Indoor Football League expansion franchise's biggest promotion to date grew as the day went along.
An estimated 1,000 people visited the Ocean Center during the three-hour event, meeting the members of the Harleigh Girls Dance Team, Hawg players, and staff. They visited sponsor exhibits, ate free food provided by the Ocean Center, played games, and basically had a good time.
This was on a day when there was also the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona taking place across town at Daytona International Speedway and another professional football league staging its championship game about an hour away.
"I have two rules for today â everybody smile and everybody have fun,'' said Head Coach/General Manager Ervin Bryson, donning a chocolate-colored double-breasted suit for his opening remarks to the crowd.
Ocean Center representatives showed potential season ticket buyers where their seats would be, and many immediately went down to sign up in the Ocean Center lobby.
"The success of this day is beyond my wildest expectations,'' said Ocean Center Assistant Director Chad Smith. "We think the Hawgs are going to an excellent addition to the Daytona Beach area."
Hawgs merchandise â t-shirts and mini-helmets â sold out at a brisk pace, and three addition corporate boxes along the sidelines were also purchased. Visitors had many an opportunity to pick up promotional items and even a free massage provided by the Florida State Massage Therapy Association Flagler/Volusia Chapter's Sports Massage Team.
As two radio stations did remotes, kids tried their hands at skill games manned by Hawg players, including a tricycle race that produced a few Daytona-like pile-ups. The "Herman Edwards Snarl Off" promotion made its debut, though kids turned into a shout off rather than a snarl of Edwards' famous "YOU PLAY .. TO WIN ... THE GAME." soundbite.
With a celebratory Ice Cream cake provided by Cold Stone Creamery, Bryson and owner Tony Pewonski concluded the day by debuting the Hawgs' helmet design.
National Indoor Football League Stories from February 8, 2005
- Family Fun Day and season ticket rush continues Hawgs' momentum in Daytona Beach - Daytona Beach Hawgs
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