Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Hires Arena Football "Pioneer" Berryman as New President/General Manager
April 25, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers News Release
Wilkes-Barre, PA â The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers are pleased to announce that professional sports entrepreneur Dave Berryman, who has operated teams in the parent Arena Football League, arenafootball2, and the East Coast Hockey League, has been hired as the team's new President/General Manager.
"We're elated to have attracted someone I consider to be among the best team operators in all of sports, minor or major leagues," said Pioneers Operator Greg Smith. "Dave is a proven winner."
Berryman most recently served as President/Chief Operating Officer of Orlando Predators Entertainment (OPE), which had controlling interest in the AFL's Orlando Predators as well as a handful of arenafootball2 organizations, including 2002 ArenaCup champions, the Peoria Pirates. Berryman resigned from OPE in February 2003.
"Being the operator of the first team to sign up for arenafootball2, the Arkansas Twisters, it is indeed an honor to come to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton organization to help build a strong foundation for future success," said Berryman.
Before OPE, Berryman served as President and CEO of Arkansas Sports Entertainment, which operated the af2's Arkansas Twisters and the Arkansas Riverblades of the ECHL. Berryman's guidance helped the Twisters to become one of the most successful organizations in arenafootball2, averaging 13,766 fans per game during the team's inaugural season in 2000. In 2001, Arkansas again led the af2 in attendance.
Berryman was also recognized as the ECHL Executive of the Year in 1996 for his work with the Louisiana IceGators, where he served as General Manager. During his tenure in Louisiana, the IceGators set the all-time attendance record for minor league hockey with an average attendance of 11,433 for the 1996-97 season, a record that still stands today. The team's success led to recognition in several national and international media outlets, including Sports Illustrated, CBS This Morning, and CBC Hockey Night in Canada. In addition, he was the recipient of the Ernst and Young "Louisiana Entrepreneur of the Year" award in 1997.
The Pioneers will hold a press conference early next week to officially introduce Mr. Berryman to the community.
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