Heat Still On in Harrisburg

Published on June 25, 2002 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Harrisburg Heat News Release


Harrisburg, PA - Harrisburg Heat owner Rod Rumberger and front office staff today announced that they have finalized plans for the 2002-03 Major Indoor Soccer League season, unveiling a renewed commitment for a twelfth MISL campaign at the State Farm Show Arena as well as a substantial new incentive for new and returning season ticket holders.

"Thanks to the tireless support of Mayor Stephen Reed, Secretary Samuel Hayes and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and Dennis Grumbine and the State Farm Show Complex, we're able to enthusiastically move forward for the 2002-03 MISL season," said Rumberger. "We believe that the Heat is very valuable to the soccer community in Central Pennsylvania, and to the community as a whole, and through the efforts of all these parties, we think we've found a way to succeed in the long term."

The club will not be increasing ticket prices for the 2002-03 season. Single-game tickets for the 2002-03 season will remain $15, $13, and $11 for adults, and $12, $10, and $8 for youth aged 12 and under.

The Heat will also introduce revamped season ticket plans for the coming year. Fans committing to season ticket packages by August 1 will receive a free parking pass for all 18 of the Heat's 2002-03 home games. Season ticket prices for adults will be $270, $234, or $198, while youth season tickets will be $216, $180, or $144, depending on seat location. The free parking pass will amount to a $90 discount over the course of the season.

"A number of our season ticket holders expressed concern over the paid parking last year," said Rumberger. "Through our negotiations with the Farm Show Complex and the Department of Agriculture, we've been able to address that concern with this new offer." Construction on the new buildings at the Farm Show Complex is expected to be completed by the time the Heat's home season opens, which should allow for on-site parking at all Heat games.

The new season ticket plans will be at the core of a full-throttle sales effort in the coming weeks. The Heat's perennially successful Summer Soccer Camps began on June 17, and the club's popular 3 v 3 Tournaments are scheduled for July 6 in Northumberland and July 20 on City Island in Harrisburg.

The 2002-03 MISL season is expected to commence the final weekend of September, meaning that training camp is likely to begin the first week of that month. The season is likely to run through late March, with the playoffs taking place in April.

The Major Indoor Soccer League will welcome the Dallas Sidekicks, San Diego Sockers, and St. Louis Steamers into the fold this year. The three clubs will join the Heat, Baltimore Blast, Cleveland Crunch, Kansas City Comets, Milwaukee Wave, and Philadelphia KiXX to bring the circuit's total number of teams to nine. The MISL will hold its annual league meetings beginning this Wednesday, June 26, in St. Louis.

"The MISL is pleased to welcome the Harrisburg Heat back for another year of exciting indoor soccer action," stated MISL Commissioner Steve Ryan. "The return of the team for a twelfth season is a fine example of city and state government working together to help preserve a staple of the Central Pennsylvania sports scene, as well as a testament to Rod Rumberger's diligence and dedication to the sport of professional indoor soccer."

"A lot of people have worked very hard this summer to give this franchise a great opportunity to succeed," said Rumberger. "Now we as an organization need to capitalize on that opportunity, and we need the community to step up and show its support."

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Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from June 25, 2002


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