The OSC interview: Dallas Desperados COO Shy Anderson
by Fran Stuchbury
Published on September 8, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados
OurSports Central correspondent Fran Stuchbury talked to Dallas Desperados Chief Operating Officer Shy Anderson at arenafootball2's ArenaCup in Bossier City, Louisiana. Anderson has been involved with the Desperados from the time the franchise joined the Arena Football League as an expansion team in 2002, and he also is involved with the Dallas Cowboys.
Fran Stuchbury: What interested you in working for the Dallas Desperados?
Shy Anderson: We started the Desperados about five years ago, and we're going into our fifth season this year. When we started, it was something I felt a passion for. Our family has been involved in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys for 18 years. Football is in our blood. It was something I felt that would be good for the youth. It would help us grow youth people into being Cowboy people. It started out to be a big success for us.
FS: How do you like working under Cowboys owner Jerry Jones? Is he a good person to deal with?
SA: I couldn't think of a better boss. Besides being my father in-law, he is also my boss. He's the type of guy that lets talent go where it needs to go on its own. He gives it some direction, but he really is a wonderful guy to work for.
FS: Is this a must-win season for Desperados coach Will McClay? Is there a lot of pressure on the Desperados to put out a winning product this season?
SA: Every season there is pressure to win in sports. It's important for Will to win, and he wants to win. Will's a champion at heart. Will is in the last year of his contract, and I think he wants to stay on; we want him to stay on. As coaching goes, it depends on your win-losses, so there is a lot of pressure for everyone to win.
FS: What do the Desperados do to try to get fans to come to the game? What type of marketing do they do?
SA: We spend a lot of time with the youth. We do a lot of work with youth football and flag football. We have really done well over the past several years. We have grown our base. Last year was out best attendance we had in three years. We got through that sophomore jinx, and we're trying be as much as part of the community as we can.
FS: Will the Desperados be aggressive in the free agent market?
SA: I think we will be one of the most aggressive teams in the free agent market. We look to improve our team as much as possible.
If you have any questions or comments about this interview, feel free to drop me an email at arenazone@yahoo.com and I will be more than happy to get back to you.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from September 8, 2005
- Moss returns to Preds - Orlando Predators
- AFL online auction to raise funds for relief efforts - AFL I
- The OSC interview: Dallas Desperados COO Shy Anderson - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Force's Derek Lee signs with Atlanta Falcons - Georgia Force
- Rush to hold tryouts for Adrenaline Rush dancers - Chicago Rush
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
