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> Sports > Sports News > Landon to stay in Falcon's nest
Landon to stay in Falcon's nest
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Bruce Landon
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By Katelyn Gendron
Reminder Assistant Editor
SPRINGFIELD Even after 25 years as general manager of an American Hockey League (AHL) franchise in Springfield, Bruce Landon still has unfinished business in this city.
Last week, Springfield Pro Hockey LLC announced that Landon had accepted their offer to extend his contract as president and general manager of the Springfield Falcons for another three years.
"I don't feel this job is complete yet and it won't be until the franchise is back in the black, has 4,500 to 5,000 people in the stands [cheering for] a team that gets a run at the Calder Cup," Landon said in an interview with Reminder Publications. "I feel that I still owe a lot to the fans here that have supported me for so many years."
Landon said before he ever considers leaving this franchise he wants to ensure its place in the AHL.
He noted that over the past several years the franchise has been struggling financially and on the ice, which has led to the Falcons having the second poorest attendance record in the league.
Earlier this year, Landon spearheaded a campaign to keep the Falcons in Springfield by securing 500 new season ticket packages by mid-summer, boosting attendance and creating some much-needed revenue for the 2008-09 season. Without this revenue, the ownership group would have considered selling the franchise.
"I'm excited and looking forward to the challenges we have ahead," he said. "It hasn't been an easy few years and I'm appreciative of the confidence the ownership group has put in me to continue to run this franchise."
Joe Cambi, member of Pro Hockey LLC, said, "The extension of Mr. Landon's contract is another positive step for this franchise and the greater Springfield community. At the same time, the commitment of our ownership group to extend Mr. Landon's contract for three years also represents our acknowledgement that much work still needs to be done in the process of stabilizing our region's only professional sports franchise."
Landon explained that the season ticket drive was only the first step in the rebuilding process. He said the focus now is to increase the number of season ticket holders to 700 and to build group sales by the beginning of their season next month.
"We have a lot of work ahead of us. We have to get this thing [franchise] turned around," Landon said.
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