IL1 Columbus Clippers

Voices of The Coop

Published on May 9, 2007 under International League (IL1)
Columbus Clippers News Release


The Columbus Clippers are celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of The Coop by sharing with you "The 75 Voices of Cooper Stadium". We hope to capture some of its voices through the unique insights of 75 people representing various ages and perspectives.

Ken Schnacke

President and General Manager, Columbus Clippers

What time period is your affiliation with Cooper Stadium?

I was fortunate to be the last front office person hired by George Sisler, Jr. in November 1976. I started as an administrative assistant and worked my way up from there. I knew baseball in Columbus had a great chance to be something special, and it certainly has become that at Cooper Stadium.

What is your fondest memory of Cooper Stadium?

During my time here, I've seen more than 2,500 games at Cooper Stadium. As you can imagine, a lot of memories blur into time; however, there are a few that stand out:

Opening Night 1977: It was a wet, rainy night for the opening of the stadium, which wasn't even done yet. These conditions didn't stop people from coming, in fact, they just kept coming. Fans were sitting on wet concrete just to watch the game. The Captain's Club didn't have windows yet. The Clippers won and everyone went home happy. I can see it as if it were yesterday.

The Night of the Chicken: In 1981, we hosted the famed San Diego Chicken for the first time. We had more than 20,000 people show up to see "The Chicken." I remember George Sisler asking me to re-take the attendance because he couldn't believe so many people were there.

1992 Governor's Cup Playoffs: It was Game 7 of the playoffs in a season when the Clippers had been dominant. We won the game in the bottom of the ninth. It was a great night for the city and the franchise.

And of course, Cooper Stadium was the first real concert venue in town. Great bands such as Aerosmith and Bob Dylan (twice) played here. We drew more than 15,000 people for the six nights of Garth Brooks concerts, which helped to pay for the field conversion from Astroturf to grass.

Garth Brooks concert

The biggest event ever at Cooper Stadium was the 1993 Billy Graham Crusade when more than 130,000 attended the multi-day event. The Sunday crusade alone drew 47,000 people.

Bill Graham Crusade

What is your favorite physical aspect of Cooper Stadium?

My favorite aspects are the box seats that look out at a perfect setting: a baseball field with trees just beyond the home run fence and the downtown skyline in perfect sight. I also enjoy walking in the stadium after the game when the old, classic stadium is empty. It's just a special feeling.

If the seats at Cooper Stadium could talk, what do you think they would say?

I think the seats would talk about the great baseball they've seen played by some of the game's greatest players. They'd talk about watching families come and sit together for a game. They'd share the stories they overheard from within a family or between a father and a son, or a mother and a daughter as they enjoy a special moment together.

Describe something about Cooper Stadium you think other people should know about the ballpark.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the stadium to tour guests or those at Cooper Stadium for the annual Terror Park event is the tunnel connecting the home team clubhouse to the dugout. It's about a 100-foot walkway that takes approximately 15 seconds to complete. It's really so simple, but the anticipation of the end results is something that you never forget. Walking from that tunnel to see 115,000 square feet of perfectly cut, beautiful green grass is a special feeling.

If you could take one thing from Cooper Stadium to the new Huntington Park, what would it be?

I want to take the feel of baseball history at Cooper Stadium and fan involvement in the game to Huntington Park.

Please describe a Clippers game at Cooper Stadium through your eyes. Tell us what you see, what you hear and what you think.

There are two facets to what happens. First, there is the game itself. I'm critiquing pitchers strategically as they change velocity, location and pitch while a smart hitter quickly counters with his own aggressive approach. I'm also watching managers implement game strategy by utilizing player tools such as speed and power.

This is all highlighted by the action in the stands. The sights and sounds of Cooper Stadium are truly unique. You know when it was a good night by the demeanor of the fans. For me, it's a "perfect night" when the Clippers win in front of 10,000 or more fans at Cooper Stadium.

What do you believe is unique about a Clippers baseball game at Cooper Stadium that differentiates it from other sporting events or venues?

The frequent, predictable and natural intermissions of a baseball game are unlike any other sport. At Cooper Stadium, these times really allow for the family experience: to talk, to enjoy on-field stunts between innings or even to just walk around and soak in the atmosphere.

If you could take one part of Cooper Stadium for yourself, what would it be?

I would (and will) take the engraved paver bricks from the stadium and move them to Huntington Park as a symbol of the baseball foundation we have in Columbus.

What are you most excited about in regard to the new Huntington Park?

I'm excited about reinvigorating this franchise by expanding the base of people that will encounter the Clippers baseball experience. There will be new families who can enjoy time together a new way, and there will be out-of-town visitors who can walk over from the Convention Center to catch a game while they're in town. I'm excited for this city.

And of course, I'm looking forward to the first Dime-A-Dog night in Huntington Park!

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International League Stories from May 9, 2007


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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