Post by Free Agent Fan on Mar 27, 2007 18:27:44 GMT -5
Nichols’ ownership fantasy turned to reality
By JIM WALKER/Tribune Sports Editor
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Fantasy became a reality for Dr. Bill Nichols.
The fantasy leagues allow individuals to put build teams on paper and compete against others based on the statistics of the real players.
But Nichols was able to realize a real-life dream of owning a professional football team when he had a percentage of the now-defunct Huntington Locomotives arena football team five years ago.
The team folded after just one season, but another group of investors — including Nichols — brought back arena football to the Tri-State last year with the Huntington Heroes of the American Indoor Football Association.
Nichols used his experience with the Locomotives to help the Heroes becomes more successful. He contacted Fred Davis who was an owner with the Locomotives and the two discussed starting a new franchise. He then talked to Andrew Haynes who helped the fantasy become a reality.
“We talked and worked out a deal to make it more feasible for someone who is not a millionaire to make it,” said Nichols. “This area can’t support a $50 or $60 ticket.”
Greg Ramey, who played for the Locomotives, told Nichols he would be interested in owning a team.
“He told me if I ever get things going, call him,” said Nichols.
The ownership came together and the Heroes — named in honor of the war veterans — were founded. Arena football veteran Garry McPeek became the head coach and the Heroes surprised everyone by posting a 9-5 record and making the AIFA playoffs.
“I called Greg Ramey and asked him if he was still interested and he hopped right on it. We made it through the first year and we made the playoffs,” said Nichols. “Now we just need to build on it.”
Nichols said it is exciting to be an owner, but because of his chiropractic business in Ashland, Ky., he was unable to continue with his partnership and sold his shares a few weeks ago. He has remained
It was a difficult divorce.
“I enjoyed the ownership aspects, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. It’s a high investment and a low return,” said Nichols.
“But I do like the business part of it. I didn’t like cutting players. That was difficult. I like getting things arranged. I liked signing contracts and putting a team together. Building a team and keeping the costs down and still having a good team was fun.”
Football has flowed through Nichols veins for most of his life. He played at Rock Hill High School where he graduated in 1986. He walked-on at Kent State but came back home after one season and attended Ohio University.
He attended chiropractic school in Iowa and continued with his love affair with football by attending high school games on Friday nights.
“We’d just pick a team and cheer for them,” said Nichols. “When I came back I was introduced to Fred Davis who had the Locomotives and at that point I never left it alone.”
Even though Nichols has limited his involvement, he hasn’t ruled out future ownership.
“The reason I did this was to get back in here and I felt I had some good ideas. It’s something that’s still in the future. There’s excitement in saying, ‘That’s my team down there,’” said Nichols.
By JIM WALKER/Tribune Sports Editor
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Fantasy became a reality for Dr. Bill Nichols.
The fantasy leagues allow individuals to put build teams on paper and compete against others based on the statistics of the real players.
But Nichols was able to realize a real-life dream of owning a professional football team when he had a percentage of the now-defunct Huntington Locomotives arena football team five years ago.
The team folded after just one season, but another group of investors — including Nichols — brought back arena football to the Tri-State last year with the Huntington Heroes of the American Indoor Football Association.
Nichols used his experience with the Locomotives to help the Heroes becomes more successful. He contacted Fred Davis who was an owner with the Locomotives and the two discussed starting a new franchise. He then talked to Andrew Haynes who helped the fantasy become a reality.
“We talked and worked out a deal to make it more feasible for someone who is not a millionaire to make it,” said Nichols. “This area can’t support a $50 or $60 ticket.”
Greg Ramey, who played for the Locomotives, told Nichols he would be interested in owning a team.
“He told me if I ever get things going, call him,” said Nichols.
The ownership came together and the Heroes — named in honor of the war veterans — were founded. Arena football veteran Garry McPeek became the head coach and the Heroes surprised everyone by posting a 9-5 record and making the AIFA playoffs.
“I called Greg Ramey and asked him if he was still interested and he hopped right on it. We made it through the first year and we made the playoffs,” said Nichols. “Now we just need to build on it.”
Nichols said it is exciting to be an owner, but because of his chiropractic business in Ashland, Ky., he was unable to continue with his partnership and sold his shares a few weeks ago. He has remained
It was a difficult divorce.
“I enjoyed the ownership aspects, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. It’s a high investment and a low return,” said Nichols.
“But I do like the business part of it. I didn’t like cutting players. That was difficult. I like getting things arranged. I liked signing contracts and putting a team together. Building a team and keeping the costs down and still having a good team was fun.”
Football has flowed through Nichols veins for most of his life. He played at Rock Hill High School where he graduated in 1986. He walked-on at Kent State but came back home after one season and attended Ohio University.
He attended chiropractic school in Iowa and continued with his love affair with football by attending high school games on Friday nights.
“We’d just pick a team and cheer for them,” said Nichols. “When I came back I was introduced to Fred Davis who had the Locomotives and at that point I never left it alone.”
Even though Nichols has limited his involvement, he hasn’t ruled out future ownership.
“The reason I did this was to get back in here and I felt I had some good ideas. It’s something that’s still in the future. There’s excitement in saying, ‘That’s my team down there,’” said Nichols.