Post by Gene on Jul 5, 2007 6:50:12 GMT -5
Through Lavender lenses, Express’ future bright
While their first season as owners was a huge football success, the Express’ Ted and Lisa Lavender intend to build the business side of Reading’s indoor football franchise.
7/5/2007
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
With the sting of a five-point loss in the championship game still fresh in their minds, Reading Express owners Ted and Lisa Lavender are anxious for the team to get back on the field.
The Lavenders wouldn’t mind skipping a few pages on the calendar to speed up the kickoff for the next American Indoor Football Association season.
But they also realize there is plenty to be done during their first offseason as owners. For them and other members of the front office, the 2008 season has begun.
“We’re done with this season; it was a great season,” said Lisa Lavender, the team’s chief operating officer. “But we’re just so fired up right now to fill the stadium next year.”
Season ticket renewals have begun with the rest of the season tickets scheduled to go on sale Sept. 1.
The Lavenders, also owners of Berks Fire Water Restorations, Inc., purchased the Express in February just two days prior to the home opener.
They were encouraged by everything from the Express’ appearance in the AIFA championship to the attendance that averaged about 3,200 for eight regular season games and two playoff games.
“For the first year it went very well,” said Ted Lavender, team president. “We were very excited. Our main goal was to provide a family entertainment package. I think we were very successful in doing that.
“To see those children’s faces after they shake hands with the players is just unbelievable. It’s priceless.”
The Lavenders don’t plan to change a thing about the post game ceremony of allowing fans to come onto the Sovereign Center field to get autographs and talk to their favorite players.
They would like to tweak the schedule a little and do other things in the community to raise the awareness of the Express. The Lavenders would like to play all the home games on Friday or Saturday nights.
This year, two games were played on Sunday, including the home opener Feb. 25.
Ted Lavender also said he will push to get the season started earlier when the owners meet next month in Miami. He hopes to release the 2008 schedule in September.
“I’d like to start the season earlier in February and end it at the end of May,” Ted Lavender said. “It’s a good time to start because people want more football.”
Between now and February, the Lavenders will try to sell Berks County on more indoor football.
Although they are encouraged by the team’s loyal fan base, they realize there is room for growth in an arena that rarely is half-filled.
“Obviously we have a lot of work to do to turn the Reading Express into a successful business beyond the football team,” Lisa Lavender said. “The thing that we have been most comforted by is all the support of the business community.”
The Lavenders also are enthused by the stability of the AIFA, which replaced the American Indoor Football League, in which the Express played during the 2006 season.
Unlike in 2006, when Reading had to scramble to find opponents to fill its last two home dates, all games were played as scheduled.
In addition, league co-owners John Morris and Michael Mink have negotiated a television package and national sponsorships to distribute revenues to each team.
Reading’s 54-49 loss to Lakeland in the AIFA championship game in Florence, S.C., was televised by United Sports Media and distributed throughout the country. The game was shown locally by WFMZ-TV Channel 69, Allentown.
Next season, the Lavenders expect the Express to be featured at least twice during the league’s Game of the Week telecasts.
“John Morris and Michael Mink have done a lot to make it very successful this year in many ways,” Ted Lavender said. “I don’t know of any team that’s going to be leaving. From what I’ve heard, there are going to be a couple of expansion teams.
“I kind of wish it was January now because I’m ready to start over.”
•Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
While their first season as owners was a huge football success, the Express’ Ted and Lisa Lavender intend to build the business side of Reading’s indoor football franchise.
7/5/2007
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
With the sting of a five-point loss in the championship game still fresh in their minds, Reading Express owners Ted and Lisa Lavender are anxious for the team to get back on the field.
The Lavenders wouldn’t mind skipping a few pages on the calendar to speed up the kickoff for the next American Indoor Football Association season.
But they also realize there is plenty to be done during their first offseason as owners. For them and other members of the front office, the 2008 season has begun.
“We’re done with this season; it was a great season,” said Lisa Lavender, the team’s chief operating officer. “But we’re just so fired up right now to fill the stadium next year.”
Season ticket renewals have begun with the rest of the season tickets scheduled to go on sale Sept. 1.
The Lavenders, also owners of Berks Fire Water Restorations, Inc., purchased the Express in February just two days prior to the home opener.
They were encouraged by everything from the Express’ appearance in the AIFA championship to the attendance that averaged about 3,200 for eight regular season games and two playoff games.
“For the first year it went very well,” said Ted Lavender, team president. “We were very excited. Our main goal was to provide a family entertainment package. I think we were very successful in doing that.
“To see those children’s faces after they shake hands with the players is just unbelievable. It’s priceless.”
The Lavenders don’t plan to change a thing about the post game ceremony of allowing fans to come onto the Sovereign Center field to get autographs and talk to their favorite players.
They would like to tweak the schedule a little and do other things in the community to raise the awareness of the Express. The Lavenders would like to play all the home games on Friday or Saturday nights.
This year, two games were played on Sunday, including the home opener Feb. 25.
Ted Lavender also said he will push to get the season started earlier when the owners meet next month in Miami. He hopes to release the 2008 schedule in September.
“I’d like to start the season earlier in February and end it at the end of May,” Ted Lavender said. “It’s a good time to start because people want more football.”
Between now and February, the Lavenders will try to sell Berks County on more indoor football.
Although they are encouraged by the team’s loyal fan base, they realize there is room for growth in an arena that rarely is half-filled.
“Obviously we have a lot of work to do to turn the Reading Express into a successful business beyond the football team,” Lisa Lavender said. “The thing that we have been most comforted by is all the support of the business community.”
The Lavenders also are enthused by the stability of the AIFA, which replaced the American Indoor Football League, in which the Express played during the 2006 season.
Unlike in 2006, when Reading had to scramble to find opponents to fill its last two home dates, all games were played as scheduled.
In addition, league co-owners John Morris and Michael Mink have negotiated a television package and national sponsorships to distribute revenues to each team.
Reading’s 54-49 loss to Lakeland in the AIFA championship game in Florence, S.C., was televised by United Sports Media and distributed throughout the country. The game was shown locally by WFMZ-TV Channel 69, Allentown.
Next season, the Lavenders expect the Express to be featured at least twice during the league’s Game of the Week telecasts.
“John Morris and Michael Mink have done a lot to make it very successful this year in many ways,” Ted Lavender said. “I don’t know of any team that’s going to be leaving. From what I’ve heard, there are going to be a couple of expansion teams.
“I kind of wish it was January now because I’m ready to start over.”
•Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
