Three Wizards weddings Saturday 12/5: Kyle and Marcela Rogers; and Lance and Katy Watson; and Mike Flaherty - CONGRATULATIONS to all.The team reports back to Kansas City in six weeks, which amazes me. There truly is no off-season which is great as I know the Wizards are excited to get back on the field after sweating through their rigorous workout packages. In the front office, the biggest difference now than during the season is that here is no set routine, although we are still extremely busy. One of the many things that keeps me up at night is that I truly wish that we had a fierce rival. One team that we could bestow all the fury of everyday life and a team that just makes you cringe when you hear its name. Over the years we have had some great rivalries, but there was never a constant. Does this mean we should go out of our way and garner one? Perhaps. If so, then which team?
The off-season is also a time where we can try and focus some energy on a big splash in the media or community. The Wizards have been featured on The Amazing Race, Extreme Home Makeover, and trying now for Made and Junior Seau's Sports Jobs (as well as trying to get Adam Cristman on 'I Survived a Japanese Game Show'). In 2001, I thought I had landed a big one. I coordinated with ESPN to have our team play a practical joke on Tony Meola. We were going to kick-off, play the ball back, and watch Nick Garcia rifle the ball into our own net. I had most of the parties on board, but MLS offices nixed it (probably a good decision on their part).
With the anticipation of our new stadium, we will go through not only a new branding exercise, but also strive to market our team and product differently (and certainly more). We will do this with increased budget, greater use of technology, and garnering more key partners of which we have increased a lot since OnGoal purchased the team. I know on the Technical side, the staff is working long and hard to solidify the team and identity.
Another quick anecdote: (and unfortunately all the really, really good ones might have to be told over a beer or kept in the vault). How about the Cesar Delgado Experiment? After a rash of injuries right before the 1999 season was set to kick-off with our goalkeepers, the Wizards had to quickly sign a player to take to Dallas for the opener. Mexico is close to Texas so Cesar Delgado it was. His introduction to the team featured a warm-up consisting of 15 players rapid-firing shots from all angles into the net. Hey, it must have worked as the two teams went into halftime tied 0-0. Nope. After nutmeg, slow dribbler, a near post-goal, and rebound in the second 45, the boys in blue headed home. At training Monday morning, Cesar was told to sit it out, watch the game again on the TV/VCR, grab the yellow pages, find a cab, and go to the airport.
The off-season is also a time where we can try and focus some energy on a big splash in the media or community. The Wizards have been featured on The Amazing Race, Extreme Home Makeover, and trying now for Made and Junior Seau's Sports Jobs (as well as trying to get Adam Cristman on 'I Survived a Japanese Game Show'). In 2001, I thought I had landed a big one. I coordinated with ESPN to have our team play a practical joke on Tony Meola. We were going to kick-off, play the ball back, and watch Nick Garcia rifle the ball into our own net. I had most of the parties on board, but MLS offices nixed it (probably a good decision on their part).
With the anticipation of our new stadium, we will go through not only a new branding exercise, but also strive to market our team and product differently (and certainly more). We will do this with increased budget, greater use of technology, and garnering more key partners of which we have increased a lot since OnGoal purchased the team. I know on the Technical side, the staff is working long and hard to solidify the team and identity.
Another quick anecdote: (and unfortunately all the really, really good ones might have to be told over a beer or kept in the vault). How about the Cesar Delgado Experiment? After a rash of injuries right before the 1999 season was set to kick-off with our goalkeepers, the Wizards had to quickly sign a player to take to Dallas for the opener. Mexico is close to Texas so Cesar Delgado it was. His introduction to the team featured a warm-up consisting of 15 players rapid-firing shots from all angles into the net. Hey, it must have worked as the two teams went into halftime tied 0-0. Nope. After nutmeg, slow dribbler, a near post-goal, and rebound in the second 45, the boys in blue headed home. At training Monday morning, Cesar was told to sit it out, watch the game again on the TV/VCR, grab the yellow pages, find a cab, and go to the airport.
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