Post by Gene on Dec 28, 2011 21:24:29 GMT -5
December 26, 2011 @ 12:00 AM
DAVID WALSH
The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON -- Dan Fisher, Michael Owens and Veronica Hordubay made their pitch to Huntington Hammer football fans last week.
They then turned those fans loose at a Wednesday night event to inspect and choose their new seats inside Big Sandy Superstore Arena for the 2012 Ultimate Indoor Football League season.
"Seeing people pick seats, having players here. ... football's right around the corner," Owens, the Hammer's head coach, said as Choose Your Seat Night wrapped up. "People are ready for football."
Fisher wears the hats of owner, general manager and director of communications. Hordubay is the team's new marketing director.
Jim and Iva Sullivan came over from Proctorville, Ohio, bought season tickets and headed home to watch Marshall beat Florida International in the Beef 'O'Brady's Bowl.
"I like the action. It's fast," Jim Sullivan said. "It's hard-hitting and exciting."
"It's something nice to do and price is OK," said Iva Sullivan.
Leigh Anne Welch is a super fan from South Point, Ohio. She was a regular at Huntington Heroes games for three seasons and Hammer games last year. She made the trek to Pikeville, Ky., to see the Hammer play Eastern Kentucky.
"There's excitement. You're right down on top of the action. You feel it," Welch said.
Huntington Hammer training camp opens Feb. 15 with 40 players. The season opens March 10 against the Tennessee Rail Runners in East Ridge, Tenn. The first of seven home games is March 16 against the Tennessee Rail Runners.
"I wish there were 14 games," Welch said. "I get on Facebook and tell the guys all about Huntington. I tell them how friendly the town is, about the support and help them find a job. I do whatever I can for this team. I talk them up at work and church."
Welch's son, Jeffrey, is known as the Hammer Heckler. He can't wait to start riding opposing coaches and players. He said he's not well liked in Pikeville.
"It's a thrill to get on the other team," Welch said. "I start on Facebook. I get online and look up the roster. I call the players by name. They know me. I stay in my section. I don't cuss."
Of the 40 players set for training camp, between seven and 10 will be holdovers from the 2011 playoff team. The rest will be new faces. One is a veteran quarterback named Dixie Wooten, the 2010 Man of the Year in the Indoor Football League. He played with the Wichita Wild and Nebraska Danger in the IFL.
"He brings a lot of experience to the table," Owens said. "This says we're trying to build something here."
The Hammer had one of the league's best defenses in 2011, but Owens knows indoor football is all about offense.
Owens said the motto for the Hammer this season is "Trust, Attitude and Unity."
"It's going to be tough to make this team," Owens said. "They're all competing for a position."
Another plus for the Hammer is the return of Garry McPeek as the player personnel coordinator. He's been a coach for the River Cities LocoMotives (2001), Heroes and af2's Lexington Horsemen.
"He's got connections," Owens said.
Hordubay has been busy since arriving in July. She's attended more than 200 events. As for seating at Big Sandy, she's arranged Kids Zone, College Zone and Thunder Club (corporate).
"Our goal is to be a presence in the community," she said.
"It's a team effort on and off the field," Owens said.
Pullman Plaza Hotel will be the official "Home of the Hammer for 2012." Last season, the Hammer had a housing agreement with the Hampton Inn in Barboursville.
Deals are currently in the works with several alternative workout options, part-time job availability, entertainment options, and "Hang Out With the Hammer" nights at area establishments. The Hammer have a workout agreement with Marshall's Recreation Center.
The Hammer's Dance Team for 2012 has been chosen. Members are Jami Stevenson, Shauntay Heyliger, Terrin Farley, Hannah Gainey, Brittany Hensley, Emilee Quintrell, Brittany McDonnell, Elizabeth (Liz) Stinnett, Taylor Aitken, Leigh Ann Booth, Kerianna Cook, Annie Weible, Ashley Neal Gillum and Carmen Franklin.
www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x990419818/Huntington-team-makes-pitch
DAVID WALSH
The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON -- Dan Fisher, Michael Owens and Veronica Hordubay made their pitch to Huntington Hammer football fans last week.
They then turned those fans loose at a Wednesday night event to inspect and choose their new seats inside Big Sandy Superstore Arena for the 2012 Ultimate Indoor Football League season.
"Seeing people pick seats, having players here. ... football's right around the corner," Owens, the Hammer's head coach, said as Choose Your Seat Night wrapped up. "People are ready for football."
Fisher wears the hats of owner, general manager and director of communications. Hordubay is the team's new marketing director.
Jim and Iva Sullivan came over from Proctorville, Ohio, bought season tickets and headed home to watch Marshall beat Florida International in the Beef 'O'Brady's Bowl.
"I like the action. It's fast," Jim Sullivan said. "It's hard-hitting and exciting."
"It's something nice to do and price is OK," said Iva Sullivan.
Leigh Anne Welch is a super fan from South Point, Ohio. She was a regular at Huntington Heroes games for three seasons and Hammer games last year. She made the trek to Pikeville, Ky., to see the Hammer play Eastern Kentucky.
"There's excitement. You're right down on top of the action. You feel it," Welch said.
Huntington Hammer training camp opens Feb. 15 with 40 players. The season opens March 10 against the Tennessee Rail Runners in East Ridge, Tenn. The first of seven home games is March 16 against the Tennessee Rail Runners.
"I wish there were 14 games," Welch said. "I get on Facebook and tell the guys all about Huntington. I tell them how friendly the town is, about the support and help them find a job. I do whatever I can for this team. I talk them up at work and church."
Welch's son, Jeffrey, is known as the Hammer Heckler. He can't wait to start riding opposing coaches and players. He said he's not well liked in Pikeville.
"It's a thrill to get on the other team," Welch said. "I start on Facebook. I get online and look up the roster. I call the players by name. They know me. I stay in my section. I don't cuss."
Of the 40 players set for training camp, between seven and 10 will be holdovers from the 2011 playoff team. The rest will be new faces. One is a veteran quarterback named Dixie Wooten, the 2010 Man of the Year in the Indoor Football League. He played with the Wichita Wild and Nebraska Danger in the IFL.
"He brings a lot of experience to the table," Owens said. "This says we're trying to build something here."
The Hammer had one of the league's best defenses in 2011, but Owens knows indoor football is all about offense.
Owens said the motto for the Hammer this season is "Trust, Attitude and Unity."
"It's going to be tough to make this team," Owens said. "They're all competing for a position."
Another plus for the Hammer is the return of Garry McPeek as the player personnel coordinator. He's been a coach for the River Cities LocoMotives (2001), Heroes and af2's Lexington Horsemen.
"He's got connections," Owens said.
Hordubay has been busy since arriving in July. She's attended more than 200 events. As for seating at Big Sandy, she's arranged Kids Zone, College Zone and Thunder Club (corporate).
"Our goal is to be a presence in the community," she said.
"It's a team effort on and off the field," Owens said.
Pullman Plaza Hotel will be the official "Home of the Hammer for 2012." Last season, the Hammer had a housing agreement with the Hampton Inn in Barboursville.
Deals are currently in the works with several alternative workout options, part-time job availability, entertainment options, and "Hang Out With the Hammer" nights at area establishments. The Hammer have a workout agreement with Marshall's Recreation Center.
The Hammer's Dance Team for 2012 has been chosen. Members are Jami Stevenson, Shauntay Heyliger, Terrin Farley, Hannah Gainey, Brittany Hensley, Emilee Quintrell, Brittany McDonnell, Elizabeth (Liz) Stinnett, Taylor Aitken, Leigh Ann Booth, Kerianna Cook, Annie Weible, Ashley Neal Gillum and Carmen Franklin.
www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x990419818/Huntington-team-makes-pitch