| Higgins Resigns as Whoopee GM; Roberts to Run Club Feburary 6, 2002 |
 |
|---|
| Higgins Resigns as Whoopee GM; Roberts to Run Club Feburary 6, 2002 |
|
|---|
By Phillip Ramati
Telegraph Staff Writer
The Macon Whoopee experienced a major shakeup in its front office on Tuesday with the resignations of general manager Lee Higgins and his assistant, Dave Lallo.
Darren Roberts, a former vice president with the team who stepped down as director of operations at Sports Towne last week, said he will run the team as director of sales for the remainder of the season.
Higgins took over the Whoopee when former team president Keith Burdette stepped down a month before the season started to take a sales and marketing position with the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes. Higgins had only been with the team for five months at the time, going from a sales position to replacing Roberts as vice president before replacing Burdette.
Higgins was unavailable for comment, but did fax a statement through the team's minority owner, Dr. Jeffrey Fried.
He was "personally disappointed that the Middle Georgia Community would not support the largest drawing professional sports team in Middle Georgia at a level necessary to sustain the team," the statement read.
The Whoopee is 27th in the 29-team ECHL in attendance at 2,643 fans per game. That's a decrease of about 200 fans from a season ago even though the team moved into a higher level of hockey and is currently in second place in the Southeast Division, just a point out of first.
"We regretfully accept his resignation," Macon Sports Group majority owner Brother Stewart said. "I thought Lee did a good job. He was a hard worker, conscientious; everything was very professional. I'm sure he was disappointed at the numbers."
For his part, Roberts said: "Lee and Dave did a good job. I wish them well wherever they go."
Roberts will oversee the team for its final 21 games, nine of which are at home.
The organization is hoping for a strong finish in terms of attendance and corporate sales. Over the weekend, Utah Grizzlies president Tim Mouser, who was representing the Elmore-Tuttle Sports Group, attended games in order to study the market and the viability of hockey in Macon in the future. Emore-Tuttle owns the ECHL franchise rights, which the Whoopee is currently leasing.
Mouser said that how the city responds through ticket sales and corporate sponsorship would play a major factor over whether Elmore-Tuttle decides to enter into an arrangement with MSG for next season.
In his statement, Higgins said: "I wish the community and fans would come out and support the team before it is too late. An opportunity like this will not come along again for a long time, if we make the same mistake that cost Macon the Macon Braves. The Mayor and City Council have done everything possible to support our team. It is now time for each of you to embrace and appreciate this unique community asset."
The shakeup should have little effect on the team on the ice since all personnel moves are done by head coach Gord Dineen. Off the ice, it will be Roberts' responsibility to supervise the office and increase sales.
"I'll be the new point person, in terms of staying in contact with the league and dealing with the Coliseum," Roberts said. "My main job is to get as many people in the seats as possible. It's a huge challenge, but it's not something that can't be overcome. I think we can see a huge increase in attendance."
All Right Reserved.