Post by Banana Cat on Jul 3, 2010 1:06:51 GMT -5
Rumors that the team may join the IFL next season might be true. It would give Tri-Cities some easy wins next year, that's for sure.
www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/jul/02/venom-end-first-year-on-a-good-note-indoor/?sports
www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/jul/02/venom-end-first-year-on-a-good-note-indoor/?sports
Venom end first year on a good note
Indoor football team endures ups, downs in inaugural season
By Brent Stecker / World staff writer
Friday, July 2, 2010
WENATCHEE — Considering where the Wenatchee Valley Venom sat after their first eight games of the year, they couldn’t have wished for a much better final stretch to their season.
The Venom have won five straight since beginning their debut season 2-6.
Team officials attribute the turnaround in part to head coach Brian Smith, who took over after Keith Evans was fired following a road loss to the Arctic Predators in mid-May.
“(Smith) brought discipline to the team, and they’ve really responded,” said Venom general manager and director of football operations Mark Helm. “He hasn’t really changed anything, because he was already the defensive coordinator. He’s been very demanding (of the players), expecting them to perform, and they’ve risen to that expectation.”
“Coach Smith brought discipline and accountability. He brought us together as a team,” said offensive lineman Matt Martinez.
Of course, the players themselves have had a big hand in the strong finish.
“The players pulled it together towards the end,” said wide receiver Maurice Bryant. “We got tired of losing. We made up our minds to nip it all in the bud and do something about it.”
Off the field
Smith said the team has worked harder since he took over.
“I attest (the turnaround) to the hard work, discipline, change of attitude and change of character on the team,” he said. “There was a lot of maturity and development of character. Guys learned to be accountable for their actions, becoming more aware of life’s consequences.”
Helm said Smith cleaned up the team’s act off the field.
“Their behavior in the community has drastically improved,” said Helm. “Guys were going into clubs and bars, and they’re adults and can do that, but it’s how they act there. You get a bunch of guys together and they can overpower a place. You have to be careful because you can be seen in a negative light, even if you’re not doing anything.
“We were having issues with guys out and about, and part of that is we have gotten rid of those guys. But (Smith) definitely made it clear of his expectations for guys in the community, and that has helped, too.”
Fan base
The Venom have averaged a paid attendance of 2,129 per game, which is near the number the team was shooting for.
“When we started this whole thing, we tried to be realistic about attendance and were shooting for 2,200, 2,300. Basically we wanted to get the stadium half-full each game,” Helm said. “We kind of hit that mark, but obviously we wish it was more.”
Wenatchee Valley drew 3,560 in their season opener on March 20, but haven’t drawn more than 2,000 since their second home game on April 24.
“One (factor) is the big time span between games didn’t help us, and the weather getting nicer I think affected us,” said Helm.
As a result, AIFA chief operating officer Mike Mink has mentioned that the league may start the season a month earlier in 2011.
Though the crowd doesn’t quite pack the 4,300-set Town Toyota Center, the fan base is already passionate.
“It seems like we get some pretty excited fans. People say it’s a different group of people than what they saw going to hockey games and concerts, but it’s a pretty loyal fan base. People are already calling us up for tickets for next year,” said Helm.
Martinez, the sole Wenatchee native on the Venom, believes things will only get better.
“If we just keep winning and be a respectable team on the field and out on the town, people will come to the games,” he said. “Wenatchee’s a good place to have something like this.”
The groundwork
Though it isn’t official the team will continue play in the AIFA — Helm said the owners will discuss the issue after the season — those involved are confident the team has laid a firm groundwork for the future.
“A lot of guys are saying they want to be back here next year,” Helm said. “Before their game, San Jose got here a day early, and they were just so impressed with how the community was treating our guys. People are recognizing this is a good situation.”
“I think we have a good deal here,” Bryant said. “From the front office down, it’s pretty solid as far as making sure players have what they need to succeed.”
Helm said that Smith will be welcomed back to the team if they field a team in 2011.
“I expect to hit the ground running,” Smith said. “The bar is raised, and I’m looking forward to that.”
Indoor football team endures ups, downs in inaugural season
By Brent Stecker / World staff writer
Friday, July 2, 2010
WENATCHEE — Considering where the Wenatchee Valley Venom sat after their first eight games of the year, they couldn’t have wished for a much better final stretch to their season.
The Venom have won five straight since beginning their debut season 2-6.
Team officials attribute the turnaround in part to head coach Brian Smith, who took over after Keith Evans was fired following a road loss to the Arctic Predators in mid-May.
“(Smith) brought discipline to the team, and they’ve really responded,” said Venom general manager and director of football operations Mark Helm. “He hasn’t really changed anything, because he was already the defensive coordinator. He’s been very demanding (of the players), expecting them to perform, and they’ve risen to that expectation.”
“Coach Smith brought discipline and accountability. He brought us together as a team,” said offensive lineman Matt Martinez.
Of course, the players themselves have had a big hand in the strong finish.
“The players pulled it together towards the end,” said wide receiver Maurice Bryant. “We got tired of losing. We made up our minds to nip it all in the bud and do something about it.”
Off the field
Smith said the team has worked harder since he took over.
“I attest (the turnaround) to the hard work, discipline, change of attitude and change of character on the team,” he said. “There was a lot of maturity and development of character. Guys learned to be accountable for their actions, becoming more aware of life’s consequences.”
Helm said Smith cleaned up the team’s act off the field.
“Their behavior in the community has drastically improved,” said Helm. “Guys were going into clubs and bars, and they’re adults and can do that, but it’s how they act there. You get a bunch of guys together and they can overpower a place. You have to be careful because you can be seen in a negative light, even if you’re not doing anything.
“We were having issues with guys out and about, and part of that is we have gotten rid of those guys. But (Smith) definitely made it clear of his expectations for guys in the community, and that has helped, too.”
Fan base
The Venom have averaged a paid attendance of 2,129 per game, which is near the number the team was shooting for.
“When we started this whole thing, we tried to be realistic about attendance and were shooting for 2,200, 2,300. Basically we wanted to get the stadium half-full each game,” Helm said. “We kind of hit that mark, but obviously we wish it was more.”
Wenatchee Valley drew 3,560 in their season opener on March 20, but haven’t drawn more than 2,000 since their second home game on April 24.
“One (factor) is the big time span between games didn’t help us, and the weather getting nicer I think affected us,” said Helm.
As a result, AIFA chief operating officer Mike Mink has mentioned that the league may start the season a month earlier in 2011.
Though the crowd doesn’t quite pack the 4,300-set Town Toyota Center, the fan base is already passionate.
“It seems like we get some pretty excited fans. People say it’s a different group of people than what they saw going to hockey games and concerts, but it’s a pretty loyal fan base. People are already calling us up for tickets for next year,” said Helm.
Martinez, the sole Wenatchee native on the Venom, believes things will only get better.
“If we just keep winning and be a respectable team on the field and out on the town, people will come to the games,” he said. “Wenatchee’s a good place to have something like this.”
The groundwork
Though it isn’t official the team will continue play in the AIFA — Helm said the owners will discuss the issue after the season — those involved are confident the team has laid a firm groundwork for the future.
“A lot of guys are saying they want to be back here next year,” Helm said. “Before their game, San Jose got here a day early, and they were just so impressed with how the community was treating our guys. People are recognizing this is a good situation.”
“I think we have a good deal here,” Bryant said. “From the front office down, it’s pretty solid as far as making sure players have what they need to succeed.”
Helm said that Smith will be welcomed back to the team if they field a team in 2011.
“I expect to hit the ground running,” Smith said. “The bar is raised, and I’m looking forward to that.”