Warriors football aims for more fans with new promotional events |
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Aug. 16, 2010
By Chris Maza
Reminder Assistant Editor
SPRINGFIELD -- The Western Massachusets Warriors are enjoying a strong season and they'd like you to enjoy it with them.
The Warriors, a semi-pro football team that calls American International College (AIC) home, will be hosting a number of events at upcoming home games to benefit the community and help boost attendance.
Sept. 11 will be a very special night for the Warriors as a portion of the proceeds from the game will be donated to the provide support for families affected by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
"Our football teammates lost family and friends due to the tragedy of that day and they won't be forgotten," Warriors Assistant Marketing Director Chris Borders said.
In addition, that night will be Little League Football Night, complete with a punt, pass and kick contest.
"We're planning to do something to support and get more interest in the Pop Warner and 5A football programs," Borders said.
The Academics Athletics Arts Achievement Association (5A) football program, the Springfield Bulldogs, is open to any child between the ages of eight and 14 interested in football. The Springfield Pop Warner teams, the Springfield Longhorns, provide football opportunities from age five to 15.
While no date has been set, Mercy Hospital's blood mobile is expected to be at one of the remaining home games.
According to Borders, the blood drive will likely occur on either Aug 21, or be part of the Sept. 11 festivities.
"Anyone [eligible to donate] can give blood when they come to the game," Borders said. "It's something we're really excited about and we wish we could actually participate in, but obviously you can't give blood and then go play football."
Other events are in the works, but have not yet been announced.
These are not the first community projects the Warriors have been involved in this season. Earlier this year, the team donated youth travel basketball team uniforms and 40 pairs of sneakers to the YMCA of Hartford, Conn.
They also hosted their first-annual Shriner's Bowl and donated the proceeds to the Shriner's Hospital for Children in Springfield.
The Warriors football program is a member of the semi-pro New England Football League, which is in its 22nd year of existence. The Warriors were part of the league's expansion in 2004, which has boomed over the last 10 years and now features 41 teams.
The Warriors currently sit in a tie for first place in the Continental Division of the North Atlantic Conference with an undefeated 4-0 record.
Somewhat under the radar, the Warriors moved their operation from Holyoke to AIC's newly renovated John Homer Miller Field this season.
"It's a beautiful facility and we're one of the few who can actually use it," Borders said.
While they have appreciated the fans thus far, they would like to see the attendance at games increase.
"We've had some very good fans follow us from Holyoke to Springfield," Borders said. "But we need to grow our fanbase some more. I think that Springfield is a place where we could find a lot of good fans."
The Warriors have three home games remaining, the next one on Aug. 21 against the Tri-City Charge.
They also play the Connecticut Gamblers on Sept. 11 and the North Shore Generals on Sept. 25 at AIC.
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