Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 23, 1993 TAG: 9301250244
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
RAMPAGE FANS' LETTER CRITICAL OF OWNER
A strongly worded letter signed by more than 300 hockey fans criticizing club owner Larry Revo has created the latest stink in a Roanoke Valley Rampage season some would describe as odoriferous.The letter contends the Rampage players are not allowed to play "aggressive" hockey because they fear having to pay fines to the East Coast Hockey League out of their own pockets and possibly losing their jobs.
Mary Ann Wyrick, a Rampage season-ticket holder, headed the petition drive.
"If I had had more petitions and had gotten more people to help, we could have easily tripled the number of signatures," she said.
Wyrick said some of the Rampage players have told her and other season-ticket holders that they have hesitated to fight on the ice because Revo disdains fighting and refuses to pay their fines to the league.
"We were told by more than one player about the fines and chance of losing their place on the team," Wyrick said. "Several people told [the players] they would pay the fine if they wouldn't just stand there and not take the punches. They were concerned about their jobs. Since that time, two of the players that expressed their views are no longer with the team.
"Hockey is checking, fighting. It is an aggressive, rough sport. Many times our guys are checked hard and are punched. Our guys appear to be scared to check hard or to throw a punch when they're hit."
Rampage coach Steve Gatzos, holding a copy of the letter, argued against the fans' thinking.
"They state here they want to see more fighting and checking, which will in turn help home-game attendance," he said. "Number one, it's an absolute myth, and part of the reason why hockey here has been struggling attendance-wise is because of very misinformed fans.
"This letter, although they are trying to do something positive and constructive for our team, which I appreciate, is absolutely absurd in some of the things they say.
"No player, I repeat, no player on this team pays his own fines for fighting or for rough play. Who paid the $100 when Devin Derksen left the dressing room and got involved in a fight? Larry Revo, that's who.
"The only fine a player would ever have to pay out of his own pocket is a fine in regards to stupidity. If you skate up and swear to the referee and get a 10-minute penalty, you get fined by the league. If you skate down the ice and throw your stick up into the stands and get thrown out of the game, you get fined by the league.
"In those [instances], the player would be responsible for [the fine]. They are stupid penalties that's costing the team. Those are the type of penalties that not only our team but every team in this league, their players pay."
Responding to another insinuation in the letter, Gatzos said Revo never has ordered him or the players to play a certain style of hockey.
"If we wanted to fight every night, just how many guys in that locker room right now could or would do it?" Gatzos asked. "Maybe one or two, that's all.
"The fans are going to have to understand that hockey is getting away from fighting and rough play. You can't play that way and be successful anymore, especially in this league."
Asked to comment on the letter, Revo said: "It's so ridiculous that it doesn't warrant a response."
The Rampage has struggled to a 10-31-1 record after Friday night's 13-2 loss at Hampton Roads.
\ LETTER TO REVO\ \ To: Larry Revo
We would like for you to hear our complaint concerning the Roanoke Valley Rampage Hockey team. When you met with the season-ticket holders, you stated that the coaching of the team would be left up to Steve [Gatzos]. It appears to us that this is not the case. Hockey, as you are aware, is a very aggressive sport. Many times our guys are checked hard and are punched by the other team. Our guys appear to be scared to check hard or to throw a punch when they are hit. In out-of-town games they may not be winning but they check hard and do throw punches. A group of us feel the fans see better games out of town. This certainly does not help our home game attendance.
We would very much like for you to "try it different" and see if attendance doesn't improve along with the fans seeing a game that is played by a group of capable players who are not afraid of being fined or losing their spot on the team.
(This letter was signed by more than 300 people.)