THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 13, 1995 TAG: 9508130799
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB MOLINARO
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
Jeff Sias is the closest thing to a point man Hampton Roads has in its effort to upgrade its sports portfolio.
A month ago, Sias was brought down from Boston to fill a new position for the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce - director of sports promotions.
Sias is quick to point out that his primary mission is to organize the Virginia State Games, the amateur competition that rotates each summer between Richmond and Hampton Roads.
Jack Hornbeck, president of the Chamber of Commerce, agrees.
``But obviously,'' he adds, ``we have greater hopes.''
Greater hopes? Anyone familiar with the history and aspirations of Hampton Roads knows what he means.
In national sports circles, Hampton Roads is recognized, when it is recognized at all, as the largest metropolitan area without a major league franchise.
``I don't want to see us on the list of large metropolitan areas without a big league team,'' says Hornbeck.
Well now. That's a lot to throw at a man his first month on the job. Sias, though, takes it in stride. His agenda is wide and diverse.
``The Chamber of Commerce is not intended to go out and court a major league franchise,'' Sias points out. ``What we will do is support other individuals in this effort.''
Sias, then, will serve as a conduit and facilitator for local sports interest groups. He is a paid staffer on the otherwise volunteer Hampton Roads Sports Promotion Task Force.
What he is not is a trouble shooter who can make this area big league overnight. Or ever.
Nothing Sias can do can replace an aggressive businessman with deep pockets. Or a municipality willing to build a new arena.
``I don't have grandiose expectations,'' he explains.
Even so, there is a lot Sias and the task force want to do to upgrade the level of spectator sports.
Like get back the LPGA tournament the area once hosted.
Or lure a PGA Seniors event.
``Just because you don't get a major league franchise, doesn't mean you've failed,'' Sias says.
A native of Huntinton, W.Va., Sias is a former high school wrestler and shot putter. For 10 years, he worked as a civilian for the Department of the Navy as a recreation and sports manager, making stops up and down the East Coast. He spent the last four years at the Naval Air Station in South Weymouth, Mass. While there, he coordinated the New England Air Show, an event that attracted weekend crowds of 175,000.
Sias knows about Hampton Roads' problems in creating a sports identity for itself. But as a newcomer with a fresh perspective, his gaze extends beyond the roadblocks to take in only the possibilities.
Our transient population? The fragmentation of the area? Sias shrugs.
``I don't think that's the big deal everybody makes it out to be,'' he says. ``If we can get a major league team into this region, all the fragmentation will disappear.''
If, if, if.
``We'll work with what we have now,'' he says. ``And we'll work for something different down the line.''
Working with what it has, the Chamber fielded a call last week from the World Arm Wrestling Championships. Later this month, the wrestlers will meet with Virginia Beach officials to see about holding a competition in the tourist city.
Something like that, or a regional youth soccer tournament, says Sias, ``brings in plenty of people who spend nights in hotels.''
This won't remove Hampton Roads from the list that bothers Hornbeck. But as Sias says, ``There are no guarantees one way or the other that we'll get a team or that we'll never get a team. But we'll always be able to attract amateur and professional sports events.''
Says Hornbeck: ``Nothing can happen if we don't get in the game. In order to do that, you've got to have folks that are visible.''
That's why Sias was hired. To make Hampton Roads more visible. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Jeff Sias
by CNB