Rogers Promoted to Rivermen Team President
Published on February 17, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
Peoria, Ill. (February 17, 2004) â Owners Anne Griffith, Bruce Saurs and Tim Saurs of the Peoria Rivermen of the ECHL announced today that Bart Rogers has been promoted from General Manager to Team President, effective immediately.
The move comes with the departures of President John Butler and Vice President Mike Nelson.
"We are confident that Bart Rogers is ready to lead this organization," the Rivermen owners said in a collective statement. "He has been tireless in his hard work and dedication to this organization over the last 12 years. And we look forward to Bart's direction as we strive to increase our season ticket base, improve our game night promotions and better entertain families in the Central Illinois region."
"If not for the guidance of John Butler over the last five years, I would not have this opportunity before me," Rogers said. "He's been a tremendous mentor and resource as I have grown and expanded my abilities in the sports marketing world.
"We will continue our customer-focused marketing and business efforts within the community, and we're excited about bringing more innovative ideas and promotions to the table next season to grow our great hockey fan base in Central Illinois," Rogers continued. "The accomplishments of this organization over the last five and a half seasons have been achieved because of everyone's diligent efforts.
The 32-year-old native of Hamilton, Ill. has twice been honored with the ECHL Marketing Director of the Year award after the 1999-2000 and 2002-2003 seasons. For the past five seasons, Rogers has created and coordinated all team marketing initiatives, developed sponsorship and season ticket sales, and directed all team merchandise sales. He will now oversee every aspect of the team's business and hockey operations, while managing partnerships with such championship sponsors as Caterpillar â headquartered in Peoria, the Par-A-Dice Hotel-Casino, OSF â St. Francis Medical Center, Ameren Cilco, Great Plains Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center, CEFCU, Velde Automotive Group, Anheuser-Busch and Auto-Owners Insurance.
Rogers joined the Rivermen after receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Recreation Sports Administration from Western Illinois University in 1992. He spent his first six seasons with the Rivermen as Merchandise Director before moving up to Assistant General Manager over the last five. He and his wife, Kris, reside in Morton, IL with their two daughters â Hannah (5) and Elle (1).
On Tuesday, February 17, the Rivermen face off against the rival Johnstown Chiefs in the second of two in a row between the clubs. Game time is 6:00 p.m. CT at the Cambria County War Memorial. The Peoria Rivermen are a member of the ECHL â America's Premier "AA" Hockey League.
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