In a world where we hear about what is going on almost before it happens, we have become a society of whiners when we don't get things when we want them. The phrase "in a minute" is WAY to slow! Facebook and Twitter have spoiled us in the world of sports where we hear about contracts and firings almost the instant they happen. Sometimes this is a bad thing.
When new ownership takes over a franchise or a new franchise all together starts in a new town, things take time people. We cant have all the contracts signed on the first day, the web site up before we have anything to put on the site, and mascot and logos with out a name.
Well we have a logo, a great design by the way, negotiations with players are underway as I type, mascot is being selected by you the fans at the Blazes team booth at the McLean County Fair.......i like the name smoke, because as you know "where there's smoke there's fire!" But that's not why I'm writing tonite. I wanted to let all the fans know the front office and the staff at Bloomington Blaze HQ is totally psyched about the upcoming season and all 3 (yes that's right just 3 staffers) of them are working hard and as long as needed to bring you a quality product come October.
How do I know this? Magic of course. No really I recently spoke with someone about the state of the team in terms of how things are shaping up for the fans. Things sound like they are picking up each and every day. What does that mean for fans or future fans of the Blaze? Well, for one they want to build a "positive tradition" with this franchise starting with how business is conducted. Building on momentum from the past season is great when the same team returns. Building from scratch when a new franchise starts up is difficult. Season ticket lists are property of the previous team so contacting past STH (season ticket holders) is very difficult. Some get called and some don't. Not because they don't want your business but they don't have the resources to make contact. If you happen to read this blog and are a STH from last year and have not been contacted, please feel free to call Patrick Kelley at the Blaze home offices, find him on facebook and he Will make it his business to get you taken care of immediately. I know this because he emailed me at almost midnight a couple of nights ago to give me ticket info. Pretty impressive. If you would like to become a new STH call and the same importance will be given to you as well.
Ticket sales, off seasons events, in season events with players, civic pride and working with all the area communities are part of what it's gong to take to build this "positive tradition". Along with all that the team did in it's last carnation there are many new things taking place with in game activities and the like.
When you get to the arena and the game starts things will feel different and sound different. How you ask? Well maybe a song you hear is really familiar...well maybe you submitted it to the facebook profile of the Blaze and it got accepted. The Blaze PR dept is trying something a little different this year. They want fans included on the game atmosphere that they are attending. Letting the fans "feel some ownership" is one way to make the game experience more enjoyable. More giveaways, more fan prizes are just a couple of things being worked out now. Better executed theme nights are also in the works. Theme nights last season were thrown together and not really followed thru to the best they could be. This season will be different. The PR dept wants to "pay attention to detail" in a way that will provide a "new and better hockey experience". Better intermission games, better music all this adds up to a great night for all. Players and fans.
When the Blaze are doing what they do when they don't play, the Blaze staff will be working hard to make sure the fan base grows and stays strong. They are working in all the communities to build the fan base. Working with communities to set up booths at county fairs, local businesses for sponsorships. All good things, but my favorite community they are working in is the internet community. Social networks facebook and twitter are proving to be a great way for teams to get a feel for what fans want. Most of our social lives revolve around these two networks. If you read this blog you prove my point. The team used facebook to deliver the news and photos of the new logo and jersey design. Fans were excited to hear the news that way. The local paper followed up almost 3 hours later. (They need to work harder to make hockey more important in their sports section) A youtube site is coming where player profiles, fun interviews and game highlights can be viewed at any time. Hockey in the 21st century is now a 24hr sport.
So fans, Call Patrick Kelley and get your tickets, prizes, entertainment, and great hockey are coming your way if you do. This small core team of three believe in this team and this sport. They are working hard to provide you a great team, and great experience at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Lets give them our support this off season! GO BLAZE!!!
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