THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 21, 1996 TAG: 9601210192
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
It's a calling. An adventure. A glamorous break from the ordinary.
Employment with a professional sports franchise can appear to be all of those things. The bottom line, of course, is that it's a job, a paycheck; never more precious than when it might be disappearing.
That's why these are especially anxious times for employees of the Canadian Football League Pirates, who find their economic lifelines tethered to a wounded and badly listing ship. And one in search of a home port.
Told to scram last week by politicians in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, rejected in their attempt to negotiate a lease at Old Dominion University, the Pirates have until Jan. 31 to find a new home, or they'll shut down operations for at least a year.
``I guess we're not wanted,'' said Josh Logan, the 20-something business manager of the Pirates. ``At least I still have a home to go back to in Ohio. They'd take me back.
``I think they would, anyway.''
Forgive employees of the Address Unknown Pirates for feeling a little insecure, a little rejected after a two-month encampment in Hampton Roads.
``I was shocked,'' said Kevin Schweers, the team's football operations assistant. ``I've moved here. It's a beautiful area. I was looking forward to living here.''
Schweers and Logan are two of a handful of front-office employees brought to the area from Shreveport, La., where the Pirates played last season. Plans were to hire about 35 locals to fill a variety of other jobs.
``I'm sure that didn't cross (politicians') minds,'' Logan said. ``It should have. It was a slap in the face. They said they had higher aspirations than this league and this organization.
``I don't see how political leaders can make that decision for the people of Hampton Roads. And how can they say, don't bring your business to our area?''
They can and they did, leaving employees like Schweers and Logan with one option.
``Start pounding the pavement,'' said Schweers, who started as an intern and moved up the ladder with the Pirates. ``But it's a tough business to get your foot in the door. I don't look forward to it.''
``I'll move back to my hometown and explore my options,'' said Logan. ``I'll be unemployed for a while, that's for sure.''
A period of unemployment could also be in the future of many of the Pirates players. If the team folds, some would be chosen in a dispersal draft. Others would be out of football.
``I don't know what I'd do,'' said Will White, a defensive back who is spending the offseason in Florida working on a master's degree in leisure management. ``I'll take it as it comes.''
White got a certified letter recently informing him that the Pirates were picking up the option year in his contract. The letter also informed him the team would be playing in Virginia Beach.
But he began to hear rumblings and rumors and tried to check them out.
``I haven't been able to get in touch with anybody,'' he said. ``I've been calling, my agent's been leaving messages.
``All this uncertainty is pretty much (expletive) to me,'' he said.
So was a $1,000 bill for physical therapy received by White. The Pirates have worked out a payment plan with the company providing the therapy to injured players, but several players received bills nonetheless.
``That was the last straw. That really (ticked) me off,'' White said. ``I get home, and bam, here's a thousand-dollar bill. That really left a bitter taste.''
Terry Beauford, an offensive lineman, received a four-figure medical bill as well. But he was more sanguine about the whole situation.
``The last I heard, we were going to be in Virginia,'' Beauford said. ``I guess we'll be on the side of the road somewhere with a sign: `Will play for stadium.' ''
Beauford, 27, is under contract for one more year. He said he's confident he'll land with another team if the Pirates fold.
``If they fold, I'm free to do whatever,'' he said. ``If they don't pay you, you're not under contract. It may be good news.''
Brandon Hamilton, a defensive back finishing an undergraduate degree at Tulane, said he'll look for another team if necessary, but prefers to stay with the Pirates.
``I'd like to be with them, whether they're in Virginia or Mexico,'' he said. ``But it's out of (the players') control. All we can do is sit and wait and continue our lives wherever we are, and hope that the Pirates find a home.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
STEVE EARLEY/The Virginian-Pilot
Josh Logan, left, the Pirates' business manager, and football
operations assistant Kevin Schweers feel more than a little
rejected
KEYWORDS: CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE by CNB