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Greetings to all,
I have been very blessed and thankful to have such a good family with true friends along side in good times and bad. As I reviewed the opportunity to purchase the Canton Legends in 2005, I spent a week working in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Experiencing loss of life, broken families, lost homes and devastation all around, it was truly a life changing experience. Being a faith guy and doing small gestures provided a big need for a few, I was certain we could do the same in our community. Looking at the Legends in such a great football area also made perfect sense.
We had great success winning the championship our first year in 2006, second place in 2007 and certainly struggled in a few areas last year. Weekly we are asked to donate something in the community for a nonprofit organization. We have provided over 15,000 tickets to underprivileged groups in the last four years. Knowing we have made an impact in the community, almost 200 organizations have sent thank you notes and cards to us for donations, tickets, visiting their school or having us participate at one of their events.
The last four years we have been doing business with hundreds of mom and pop businesses, but only 4 out of the 30 largest companies in
Stark
County. We are anticipating a better response from the community. It has been up to a small investors group to provide the best family entertainment experience in the County. Hearing what great times people had at the games, seeing our players competing at higher levels, winning a championship and getting to know many of you have kept the Legends going year after year. We are not claiming to be perfect, but have always tried to make things right with sponsors and fans now and in the future.
This is a great opportunity with AFL not playing in 09. The Legends are the only game from
Cleveland to
Columbus and have had our sport truly validated by Bernie Kosar and the arena football teams. We have had discussions with the City, County, Gladiators,
HOF and other
businesses for theme nights, advertising concepts, promotions and sponsorships. We have been very thankful to have Jamar Martin, McKinley and Dallas Cowboy great to assist Head Coach Rashan Hall this year with a roster of players ready to take the field and bring home another championship. Our dance team, lead by Central Catholic, OU standout Lisa Gardner has selected 12 Lady Legends to perform this year and practice weekly preparing for kickoff. Our front office is in place checking off our to do list each day with transportation, meals, equipment, physicals, practice schedules, lease agreements, sponsorships, etc.
By being part of our economically challenged times and issued the worst game day schedule since our inception with one home game on Sunday in March and one home game in April, the day before Easter, we are opting to follow the AFL's lead to restructure in 2009 and to return for the 2010 season. The Hercules tour we spear headed in December with over a dozen business owners was very exciting with many possibilities for the city and perhaps the Legends. We welcome a facility which welcomes the Legends.
It takes over 200 people to put on a Legends home game and we certainly want to thank all who helped to make this work, from our marketing committee which meets monthly at the chamber, to Leroy at the
Civic
Center who turns out the scoreboard at the end of the game. I want to pay special tribute to the league, the Mayor's office, our front office, coaches, players, dance team, team chaplin, game day opps, mascot, sponsors, team photographer, media partners, videographer, volunteers, family and friends. A special thanks to Paul Cipar, Ted Rhodes, Dr. Roger Palutsis, Dick Brahler and John Hoffman from
New Philadelphia,
Louisville,
Alliance, N.Canton and Green who personally helped make this a successful program. Also, Sam Burquin, Joe Palmisano and Dr. Maria Lam at
Malone
University with her 21 students who recently did an eight week marketing study on the Legends.
A few of our players went to
Harrisburg,
Pa. last week to play in the All Star Classic, to get ready for the season. I met with the dance team Tuesday night and stated due to the economy, we are looking to restructure for the 09 season and return in 2010. They would still like to perform and be part of the community at your grand openings and festivities to help get ready for 2010.
We look forward to returning in 2010 season better than ever, with plans on hosting camps and clinics for youths in the future. We apologize to Shirley Daniluk who turns 75 on our home opener and was to have a birthday announcement on her special day with her husband and family. Happy 75th birthday... we will get this done for your 76th celebration. Also to our on hold season ticket holders, the boy scouts unable to obtain merit badges, the U.S. Marines to be sworn in on Heroes Night and the pee wee football teams that planned to perform at half time. For more information or comments, contact our office at 330 453 8440. |
