More Cowbell
December 13, 2006 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Vermont Frost Heaves News Release
We've got some things going.
Yes, we'd been winning on the road, and now, having returned home, are winning still. Over 72 hours in Barre last weekend, we took down the late-arriving Chicago Rockstars 106-97, and throttled the much-improved Quebec City Kebekwa 99-85. Shooting guard Aaron Cook sank 10 of 18 three-point attempts over the weekend, leading a parade of balanced scoring that left us 8-2, good for first place in the ABA's Blue North Division. But in addition to those Ws, which have me plenty excited, we've begun-only10 games into our maiden season-to put down some traditions.
Attentive fans will notice that, if the officials have whistled against us and Coach Voigt is up pleading our case, our sound man, Seth Armstrong, will punch up the first words of James Brown's "Please, Please, Please."
When Bump the Moose is on the floor, we might regale our fans with a few choice words from Woody Allen's classic routine, The Moose. ("The moose mingles. Does very well. Scores.")
And when a home game ends, if we've won, we punch up the Impressions' "We're a Winner." (Hasn't happened yet, but if we were to lose at home, we have another Curtis classic at the ready, "Keep on Pushin'.")
But the instant tradition that's proven to be the most fun doesn't come from our soundboard. It comes from the stands.
I'll be first to admit that I was opposed when Robert Arrowsmith, the circulation director of one of our sponsors, the Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus, proposed cowbells as an Opening Night giveaway. I thought they'd be obnoxious, certain to drive fans back into the Vermont night even before any had had a chance to sample our product. But the several hundred bells that fans rang with gusto on Nov. 16 had a low, rattling sound that roped spectators into the proceedings. I found myself hoping fans would bring them back on Dec. 7, when we returned to the Aud to play Chicago. Many did-and the T-A had the good sense to give out even more that night.
Now fans who already have those blue cowbells make a point of bringing theirs, and we've moved more than a few at the merchandise stand. In the meantime our ticketing manager, A.J. Fucile, reminds us of the cult Saturday Night Live skit in which Christopher Walken plays an egomaniacal record producer who wants "more cowbell."
Last Saturday, when Carl Parton, our p.a. guy, said in his best Walken soundalike voice, "I've got a fever, and the only cure is more cowbell," assistant coach Wayne Lafley nearly lost it, in-game, on the bench. More important, the fans gave Carl . . . more cowbell.
The challenge now is to implant in Burlington a tradition that has taken root in Barre. If you'll be at our game with the defending ABA champion Rochester Razorsharks tomorrow night at Memorial Auditorium, please bring yours if you have one. Or make a point of swinging by the merchandise table for your cowbell, which comes emblazoned with VERMONT FROST HEAVES INAUGURAL SEASON, 2006-07. While no longer a giveaway, each is a collector's item and costs only five bucks. We'll need every bit of the home-court advantage against the Sharks, who feature such major-college studhorses as former Syracuse floor leader Lazarus Sims, ex-Duke forward Ricky Price and one-time Virgina sniper Keith Friel.
It'll be ABA Retro Seventies Night. We've got Walt Baumann, who coached St. Michael's College during that glorious decade (and now delivers color commentary on UVM radio broadcasts), lined up as the Northfield Savings Bank 110% Community All-Star. We've got a new player, point guard Kelvin Parker, signed and ready to play. We're fitting Bump the Moose with a headband and over-the-calf tube socks. And at halftime, during a Saturday Night Fever-inspired contest, we'll walk fans through four different dance steps. (We've got basketball names for each: travel, rebound, crossover, spin move.)
So pull those over-the-calf tube socks out of the bottom of your drawer and join us as we face our biggest test of the season. Advance tickets are available at the Flynn Regional Box Office at 153 Main Street in Burlington or 159 Pearl Street in Essex, or by calling 802-86-FLYNN or going to flynntix.org.
For more information about the Vermont Frost Heaves and to purchase team gear, go to vermontfrostheaves.com.
By Alexander Wolff
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
American Basketball Association Stories from December 13, 2006
- Silverbacks top Ballerz, 119-97 - Buffalo Silverbacks
- Noise defeat Mud Frogs, regain first place - Knoxville Noise
- Todd Day autograph pictures available at Sunday's Aeros contest - Arkansas Aeros
- More Cowbell - Vermont Frost Heaves
- Jam Comeback Falls Short 94-91 - Jacksonville Slam
- Champions expand marketing staff, start ticket campaign - Anderson Champions
- Slam rout Sacramento, 134-104 - Bellingham Slam
- Rosario Powers Tropics To Third Win Vs. Jam - Miami Tropics
- Man does not fly in the house of Modibo - Cape Cod Frenzy
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.
