THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 19, 1995 TAG: 9511190466
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 122 lines
Some in Hampton Roads are ecstatic about the Shreveport Pirates decision to relocate to Norfolk's Foreman Field, such as Jack Hornbeck, president of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.
``We're excited about the Canadian Football League coming to Hampton Roads,'' he said. ``It's a great opportunity to promote the region nationally and in Canada and to provide the people of Hampton Roads'' with entertainment.
Others, such as Norfolk Tides baseball team general manager Dave Rosenfield, are skeptical, especially of the team's plans to sell 15,000 season tickets.
``If they sell 15,000 season tickets,'' he said, ``I'll shinny up to the top of a flagpole. And if they're still here in three years, I'll do it again.''
Most reaction wasn't quite as strident as Rosenfield's either way. Area residents contacted by The Virginian-Pilot seemed cautious but optimistic about the Pirates. The following is a sampling of that reaction:
Norfolk mayor Paul Fraim: ``I'm a great proponent of athletics at all levels, including professional football. But it's still unclear what's being asked of the city and what we would receive in return. There are a lot of very positive aspects of the CFL coming to Norfolk. But we still think we should proceed with caution.''
Hampton Roads Admirals president Blake Cullen: ``I found this to be a fantastic sports market from day one. I know the Tides were very helpful when I came here, so I hesitate not to be helpful to the next guy. I have some concerns about the overlapping of baseball, hockey and football, which baseball and hockey do not have. But they've picked the most loyal and dedicated fan area that I have ever seen.''
Tides general manager Dave Rosenfield: ``I don't believe summer football will be successful. If it was fall football I would think it would have a greater chance. I also think he hasn't made a three-year commitment to this area, and he's asking people to make a three-year commitment to him. ... They keep telling everybody they're going to contact me and I haven't heard from them. I don't know what I'd tell them, it depends on what they ask me. Before I would help them I've got to know a little more about their plan of action. The things that I've heard make me very skeptical. I don't have a great deal of confidence in what their plans are. It's far different from when Blake Cullen came here. I knew Blake and I knew he had a squeaky-clean reputation. I knew him to be totally a man of his word. I know Blake didn't leave someplace owing back rent.''
Norfolk State athletic director Dick Price: ``If it's good for the area, I'll support it, but we are concerned that they haven't contacted anyone from Norfolk State. To succeed, they need to get the entire community involved and right now the feeling is that they've isolated part of the community. I don't know if they've talked to any blacks in the community, or if they they have any blacks in the group that's advising them. This is a lukewarm town when it comes to pro sports. We've had them before. Sometimes these people warm up to you ... if you warm up to them.''
Norfolk Tides president Ken Young: ``I would hope it would succeed, because right now in the Hampton Roads area there are two franchises that are successes and I wouldn't want to see anybody come in and hurt that reputation. I would support a team coming in, but I would hope that it would have the right organization and not just be a shotgun thing. ... Certainly I look at it as additional competition for the entertainment dollar. But at the same time I think if they can market it well and it can be a success I don't think it has to hurt the Tides.''
Hampton Roads Admirals coach John Brophy, who is a Canadian citizen: ``I think it will work. People love football here, especially on the Peninsula. Canadian football is a lot different than American football. It's wide open, a faster game. Once they get used to it, I think they'll like it a lot. The players are outstanding. The only reason most of the players are not in the NFL is that they're not big enough.''
Art Collins, secretary of the Sports Authority of Hampton Roads: ``We wish them the very best. They've got a football team, but who are they going to play? The stability of the Canadian Football League remains a big question mark. They say they eventually will need a new stadium. If it appears a large percentage of the residents enjoy the Pirates, if they demonstrate strong and continuing support, then the prospects for a stadium are enhanced.''
Jack Ankerson, sports director at WTAR radio and former general manager of the ABA's Virginia Squires: ``I have several concerns. This area has been bruised and bloodied before and the future of the Canadian Football League is very much up in the air. If they pull up and leave, is it one more black eye for the area? But maybe this is our level. Maybe the NFL is out of reach. I guess I'm cautiously optimistic.''
Virginia Beach City Councilman Harold Heischober, a member of the Norfolk and Virginia Beach sports clubs: ``While it surely falls short of the NFL, any time our area is recognized by a league like the CFL it's good for our image. I wish them luck. I hope they're successful and I hope the region is eventually able to build them a nicer stadium.''
Larry Grossman, associate administrator for The Barry Robinson Center who purchased 18 season tickets hours after the sale began on Tuesday: ``I think it's a great thing for the area. We need a professional football team. A lot of people are excited about the Pirates. I think they're going to be very successful.''
Roy Shivers, general manager of the CFL's Birmingham Barracudas and a former St. Louis Cardinals player: ``I remember that city as a great Continental Football League town in the days of the old Norfolk Neptunes. You drew well there. I heard you sold 800 season tickets the first day and that's fantastic. We only sold 1,500 all of last year. I think Norfolk will do well.''
Jerry Sazio, athletic director at Maury High School and a long-time CFL scout: ``It's big-time football, but not big-time in pay. I think the area needs something like this to get all of the cities together. I'd like to see the same kind of flavor that the Norfolk Neptunes had. They brought the area together. It might catch, but it's got to be totally promoted. By everybody.''
Jack Hornbeck, president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce: ``When people in your business write about the CFL, they will write about Hampton Roads. It will enhance recognition of Hampton Roads as to who we are and where we are.''
Cadillac Harris, football coach at Green Run High School: ``It's a great idea to have a professional team here. We need one. ... They might compete with high schools and that's a concern. It depends on their marketing and when they play their games.'
Virginia Beach mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf: ``I wish them well. I am not a great football fan, but I know some teams do very well and others can leave a lot of heartache. Virginia Beach is very grateful to be home to the (Hampton Roads) Sharks, who have contributed an enormous amount to the welfare of the community through their programs to reach out to students in our schools.'' MEMO: Staff writers Tom Robinson and Rich Radford contributed to this story. by CNB