Uncertain future hurts Whoopee May 26, 2002

Season ticket sales always get late start

By Phillip Ramati
Telegraph Staff Writer

"Nobody at home."

What's above weren't the original lyrics Gus Kahn came up with for the song "Makin' Whoopee," but they describe the Macon Whoopee's tenuous status the last four years.

While the Macon Braves are definitely gone and the Knights will still be here next year, neither goes through the uncertainty of the Whoopee every offseason.

That instability doesn't make it easy for the hockey team to sell itself.

"As far as the Whoopee goes, I realize the mistakes we've made," said Darren Roberts, the Whoopee's director of sales. "It's our responsibility to get these people if things are going to succeed. We go to great (lengths) to have them spend their recreation dollars on sports here.

"Obviously, they have a choice, but it's somewhat disappointing that there's not that natural support. With us, I think that we have the best entertainment value out there.

"(The uncertainty) definitely contributes to it. Ask any team that's in a similar situation, and it does take its toll. It's how the public views the organization. It's definitely something we wish we didn't have to deal with."

Roberts' assertion is supported by Greensboro and Mobile, two other Southern cities with baseball and arena football to go along with hockey. Greensboro is dealing with similar rumors about the uncertain future of its hockey team and finished just ahead of Macon in attendance at 2,850 per game. Mobile, which is suspending operations next season and moving to Gwinnett County in 2003, finished just behind Macon with 2,618 per game.

Despite the fact that hockey has been here for six years, Roberts still thinks that area sports fans need to understand the game better to enjoy Whoopee games.

"Again, it's kind of our fault that we haven't educated the fans enough," he said. "It's an unnatural sport to this area. Kids aren't out on a frozen pond here playing hockey. If they're going for all the promotions and things we do, they'll go to five games a year. If the fan knows what's going on in the game, he'll go to 30 games a year. When it's not a natural sport to the region, you have to force the issue even more."

The Whoopee's uncertain future has led to some resentment even among its most fervent fans.

"We feel the Whoopee organization has at least made an effort each year to provide an incentive to purchase the season tickets," said Whoopee season-ticket holder Scott Schieber. "But it's difficult to stay supportive with the uncertainty that hangs over the team every year. Surely potential supporters, both season ticket holders and corporate sponsors, are discouraged by this continuing saga."

Unfortunately for the team, rumors and heresay on the internet and other media outlets have also contributed negatively to the team.

"People think they know what's going on behind the scenes with us," Roberts said. "But if they truly knew, they might not bash us as much."

Roberts, who took over running the team toward the end of the season, feels the Whoopee needs to concentrate on selling season tickets and group packages rather than emphasizing single-game sales.

2002 ECHL ATTENDANCE

(36 games per team)
Team	Total	Avg.
Florida	238,296	6,619
Greenville	221,337	6,148
Reading	217,624	6,045
Trenton	213,559	5,932
South Carolina	203,668	5,657
Louisiana	179,657	4,990
Peoria	168,690	4,685
Charlotte	164,409	4,566
Richmond	159,842	4,440
New Orleans	157,871	4,385
Augusta	154,078	4,279
Dayton	153,877	4,274
Toledo	152,754	4,243
Columbia	150,407	4,177
Pensacola	137,110	3,808
Atlantic City	136,632	3,795
Mississippi	127,754	3,548
Jackson	121,005	3,361
Pee Dee	120,200	3,338
Wheeling	116,994	3,249
Cincinnati	110,492	3,069
Roanoke	109,229	3,034
Columbus	108,726	3,020
Arkansas	106,258	2,951
Greensboro	102,601	2,850
Macon	100,480	2,791
Mobile	94,253	2,618
Baton Rouge	89,385	2,482
Johnstown	80,758	2,243

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