THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 4, 1996 TAG: 9602040193
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
The Hampton Roads Admirals weighed the bottom line against fan safety Saturday night and postponed their contest with Roanoke until March 10.
Admirals president Blake Cullen said he postponed the game because of icy road conditions in the area.
``So many of our fans called and said they weren't planning to come,'' Cullen said. ``They told us that the roads were in terrible shape. I just think it's the right thing to do.''
It was also an expensive decision to make. More than 7,700 tickets were sold for the game, and attendance at the makeup game isn't expected to be nearly as large. Sunday games generally draw poorly at Scope.
Cullen's decision was reinforced by the city of Norfolk, which declared a state of emergency and began to open up rooms in Scope as an emergency shelter.
``Frankly, I was worried about the fans Friday night. We announced five times during the game that conditions were deteriorating and urged fans to leave early,'' Cullen said. The Admirals defeated Nashville 7-3 in that game.
The Admirals even offered fans a $20 rate at the downtown Howard Johnsons Hotel if they didn't feel safe driving home.
``I worried all night about our fans driving home,'' Cullen said. ``It made today's decision easier because the roads had not improved much.''
Nonetheless, the decision apparently didn't sit well with Roanoke officials. Cullen said he asked Roanoke coach Frank Anzalone to come into his office to discuss whether to postpone the game. Instead, Anzalone sent his trainer.
``The message he delivered was that they expected to play,'' Cullen said.
Cullen then telephoned ECHL commissioner Pat Kelly, who agreed to the postponement and the makeup date.
``Only Pat can make the decision on a postponement and a makeup date,'' Cullen said. ``So it's official.''
Fans holding tickets to Saturday's game can exchange them for any game remaining on the Admirals' schedule. The Admirals' ticket office reopens Monday at 10 a.m. For information, call 640-1212. by CNB