PrairieThunder introduces members of ownership group
Published on July 22, 2008 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Bloomington PrairieThunder News Release
Family is the best word to describe members of the new ownership group, who initially invested in the Bloomington PrairieThunder earlier this year.
Bloomington-Normal lawyer Tim Leighton came forward as the "lead owner" of the PrairieThunder when Muskegon businessman Tony Lisman sold the team, stating it was in the best interest of the International Hockey League franchise to have local ownership.
At the time, other members of the initial owners group were not identified for various reasons and circumstances. Those members include a pair of husbands and wives; a set of brothers and a retired millwright.
Paul and Donna Wampler of Nomal; John and Paula Hardy of Bloomington; Nick Hozian of Normal and brother, Anthony of Riverside, Conn., along with John Gahm of Saunemin comprise the initial ownership group.
All were drawn to the team because of their love of hockey and desire to help the PrairieThunder, U.S. Cellular Coliseum and the Pepsi Ice Center to be successful.
"Our entire family loves hockey and we wanted the opportunity to directly support the team," said Paul Wampler, a 40-year employee of State Farm Insurance who now serves as a program manager. "Our family attends the games regularly and we have three grandchildren playing hockey."
Wampler's wife, Donna, added that "we want to support having hockey in our community," said Donna, a 34-year employee of State Farm Insurance, who works as a finance manager. "The best way to do that is invest in the PrairieThunder and contribute to the success of the team. Professional hockey brings fun and excitement that we've never had in our area.
"We want to see the Coliseum and the Pepsi Ice Center be successful. Professional hockey in Bloomington-Normal will contribute substantially to that success in the future."
The Hardys have been hockey fans all their lives, first in the Chicago area watching the Blackhawks, then traveling to Peoria to take in the Rivermen.
"We were very excited about the prospect of hockey coming to Bloomington and the building of the Coliseum and Pepsi Ice Center," said John Hardy, a respiratory therapist, whose wife, Paula, is a banking clerk at Country Financial. "This is the best way for us to support hockey."
Gahm believes being an owner is "a great opportunity to be part of a local group to help build a strong reputable winning sports team that the Central Illinois region can be proud of.
"One of the biggest attractions for me was the family-friendly attitude of the PrairieThunder players and management," Gahm added. "There is no rush to usher fans out of the Coliseum. Instead, they are welcome to meet the players to talk about the game and get autographs. You don't find that openness to interact in other area sports venues."
Nick Hozian is the owner of Liberty Storage in Downs, while brother, Anthony, is a hedge fund trader at the New York Stock Exchange.
"My brother and I grew up watching the Chicago Blackhawks and when we could drive, we went to as many games as possible," said Nick. "The PrairieThunder was, of course to me, the best news I had heard since coming to the community in 1993.
"My brother and I have always wanted, but never had the opportunity, to go into business together. Our shared love of hockey made it an easy decision to invest in the PrairieThunder."
Leighton said that "Bloomington-Normal is a powerful market. All sorts of economic factors make our Twin Cities an awesome place to invest. Our town needs hockey as part of the entertainment fabric of our community and we, as the new owners, are determined to be part of the solution.
"Our local ownership group will bring energy and infectious enthusiasm for the PrairieThunder's potential. It is obvious people in Bloomington-Normal and the surrounding communities enjoy PrairieThunder hockey. All you have to do is look at the attendance figures."
During its first two seasons as a franchise, the PrairieThunder has drawn over 261,600 fans to its game for an average of just under 3,500 per game.
"I have worked very closely with (PrairieThunder general manager) Jerry McBurney throughout this process and look forward to building with him and our talented staff in the future," said Leighton. "I want to get to know the players and fans and let them know that the new owners care about them.
"We want to continue to bring fun, entertainment and professional hockey to U.S. Cellular Coliseum for years to come. The support and loyalty shown by the fans, who attend the games, by the City of Bloomington, and by the businesses and vendors in Bloomington-Normal have impressed this group of new owners.
"We appreciate very much what they have done in the past in helping the PrairieThunder organization grow. We are excited about working with them in the future. We firmly believe that local people take care of local people."
International Hockey League 2 Stories from July 22, 2008
- PrairieThunder introduces members of ownership group - Bloomington PrairieThunder
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- Muskegon Fury News - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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.
