Kirk Ferentz Speaks To Area Business Leaders
Published on February 16, 2005 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa - The Quad City Steamwheelers hosted a breakfast meeting Monday morning, February 14, at the Mark of the Quad Cities that featured several guest speakers and concluded with a message from the University of Iowa Head Football Coach, Kirk Ferentz. The meeting was organized by Jim Foster, managing owner of the Steamwheelers, in order to better promote the sport of Arena Football and market the Quad City franchise to area local business owners.
In addition to the Capital One Bowl Championship Coach, was af2 Executive Director, Jerry Kurz, Former Executive Director of the Mark of the Quad Cities, Steve Hyman, Don Winterton, Owner of the af2 Manchester Wolves franchise, and Steamwheelers Minority Owners, Larry Bush and Mike Wayland as well as Steamwheelers Head Coach, Rick Frazier were all on hand. Members of Davenport One and the Quad City Chamber of Commerce as well as special messages provided by AFL Commissioner, David Baker and Former Head Coach of the Chicago Bears and now part owner of the AFL Chicago Rush, Mike Ditka.
Looking at the lineup for this breakfast meeting one might think this is a lot of fire-power and you would be right. We all know the Quad Cities is a great sports market and to support that type of culture you need three things. "I like to call it the three legs of a milking stool," explained af2 Executive Director, Jerry Kurz. "You have to have a good on-field performance, a strong fan base, and the community support which is also the business support. We've had teams with out a great product on the field but because they had a solid fan base and strong community sponsorship support, the team was able to compete and succeed."
Minority Owner, Larry Bush added, "We have to recruit from outside and if you're going to do that, you have to be able to offer the entire package." Mr. Bush was referring to what the Quad City community could offer to the players.
There are multiple ways to support a professional sports team such as the Steamwheelers. Jobs need to be available so when players come in to play, they find work to support their financial needs. Under the af2 player compensation package there is a $200 weekly payment to each player and an additional $50 win bonus. So jobs are much needed to keep the talent around to play. Other sponsorships that help from the business community vary. They range from a corporate sponsorship worth several thousand dollars to buying season tickets for themselves or employees. One of the most innovative ideas to come along is something the Steamwheelers started up last year called the Gold Helmet Huddle VIP Membership Club. This is a cost effective way for business to support the Steamwheelers and meet other business needs if the corporate sponsorship plans do not meet the marketing initiatives of certain businesses. "The Gold Helmet Huddle is a very good alternative," stated Steamwheelers Managing Owner, Jim Foster. Several Gold Helmet members were in attendance to listen and meet University of Iowa Head Football Coach, Kirk Ferentz.
Coach Ferentz spoke to an enthusiastic crowd after watching the game winning touchdown replay of the 2005 Capital One Bowl championship game on the overhead videotron display. Kirk reflected on how the Hawkeyes 2004/2005 season got started. "We suffered the worst loss at Arizona that I've ever been associated with in my career and we got off to a two and two start. We went on to win our last eight games. Six of those games we were the underdogs in...we won six out of eight that we weren't suppose to win. We were two and two on the season and we had two choices and what we chose was to do something about it. We found a lot of different ways to win. We won our last eight games and we finished last in the NCAA in rushing."
While Kirk was certainly talking about his Hawkeye season, the message was clear that it takes more to winning than just showing up. It takes more than just having fans come to a game, it takes a full community support effort.
In closing, Coach Kirk Ferentz shared with the audience a number of players he has had that have moved on to play in the NFL and then he mentioned the players that have come to play Arena Football particularly with the Steamwheelers. The likes of Tony Burrier, Fred Barr (Iowa Co-Captain), and Tim Dodge just to name a few. Corey Brown was another that was mentioned as he is returning to play this season with the Steamwheelers. "I've been here to see several games," stated Ferentz. "I love to watch them play. They have a great team and they are great for the community."
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