Koolbeck to lead Cedar Rapids
January 31, 2005 - All American Professional Basketball League (AAPBL)
Hutchinson BallHogs News Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa â The All American Professional Basketball League announced Monday that Mike Koolbeck has been named Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the league's Cedar Rapids entry. The team nickname â BallHogs â also was announced at the press conference.
"Today's announcements are exciting steps towards putting something tangible into the Cedar Rapids community," AAPBL President Worth Christie said. "We're happy to have someone with Mike's reputation and abilities available to us in Cedar Rapids. He has a great sports background and we have no doubt that he will put forth the effort needed to make this work in Cedar Rapids."
Koolbeck comes to the BallHogs from the Cedar Rapids Kernels professional baseball team, where he was director of marketing, media and public relations for the past three years. Before that he worked 17 years for the Cedar Rapids Gazette, working his way up from part-time status to deputy sports editor. He covered minor league baseball and basketball, as well as the University of Iowa, Iowa State, small college and prep beats.
"I am most grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this venture," Koolbeck said. "Cedar Rapids is a great sports community and, in particular, a city that loves its basketball. We look forward to working with the many entities within the community to make this the model franchise for the AAPBL and minor league basketball in general.
"In order to accomplish that goal, we are going to have to sell a lot of tickets. That's good, because I am sure we will have many fans of all ages wanting to enjoy the fun, family-oriented environment that we will provide for BallHogs games at the U.S. Cellular Center."
Koolbeck is a 1976 graduate of Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School. He attended Kirkwood Community College and the University of Iowa.
Koolbeck lives in Cedar Rapids with his wife Tammy and son Tyler, age 11.
All American Professional Basketball League Stories from January 31, 2005
- Hog wild for hoops - Hutchinson BallHogs
- Koolbeck to lead Cedar Rapids - Hutchinson BallHogs
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.
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