The Magic of Sports

This is the last entry of 2009, a reflection on where we’ve gone and what we’ve learned as part of Team Terry’s band of Merry Marketeers. In retrospect, the most important lesson is one we’ve probably always known, but truly experienced this year as we’ve traveled around the state, talking with people involved in various aspects of sports and recreation.

That is – there is nothing the brings people together, whether it’s a family, region, culture, or even a nation, like the shared experience of a sports event, recreational activity, or athletic competition.

When I think about the happiest times I shared with my boys while they were growing up, it involved tailgating at Navy-Marine Corps stadium -- cheering the Brigade, marveling at the flyovers, sliding down the hill to hear the cannon after a Navy score. It was a wonderful experience enjoyed with family and friends (and lots of chocolate, as evidenced by the one on the right.)

When I first began working at the Warehouse, I caught the light rail every morning in Glen Burnie. It passed through some pretty diverse neighborhoods before reaching Camden Yards, but I always looked forward to the conversations I heard (and frequently participated in) on the fortunes of the O’s or Ravens while riding the rails. One of my favorite chance encounters was with a family on their way to see a wrestling extravaganza at 1st Mariner. All the way to Baltimore, we talked about the good old days of Bruno Sammartino and Bobo Brazil.

Sports represent a great common denominator, not just because it is a shared interest. It provides an experience and energy that is palpable and lingers long after the stadium has cleared, a pride (or heartache) with an identity all its own.

What I’ve learned most this past year is that spectator sports (and elaborate facilities) are only a small part of the passion and economic impact of the industry. Yes, major media events revolve around professional leagues, and our state is fortunate to have those franchises and structures. But I’ve really come to appreciate the youth sports circuits and the revenue they generate; and the adult competitions like triathlons, marathons, open water swims and bicycling challenges that bring people from all over the world to Maryland.

I’ve seen how the love of outdoor sports has translated into an appreciation for the incredible natural resources Maryland possesses. The wealth of sports facilities we’ve built are only one facet of our appeal. Consider the myriad attractions of the Chesapeake Bay, state parks and national historic trails that bring competitors and enthusiasts to Maryland.  We are truly blessed in the range and depth of our offferings.

As of today, we still don’t know if Maryland (either the Baltimore or DC/Maryland proposals) will be selected by the committee developing the US World Cup bid. It would be a huge boon for us (and a well deserved tribute to our extensive and very successful soccer network) if that happens.

Our Chairman, John Morton, shared his memories of the 1998 World Cup final in Paris where a million people celebrated in the streets after the French victory.

“The World Cup is unlike any other sports championship,” Mr. Morton said “There is a national pride that transcends any particular region. It brings people of all affiliations together in a common interest. It is the combination of national pride with the highest level of athletic competition that raises the World Cup to a level of passion only the Olympics can duplicate.”

I hope we in Maryland get the opportunity to host part of the World Cup tournament, and the multi cultural passion it brings with it. But even if we don’t, we as Marylanders have so much to explore and share with the opportunities and assets we already have.

In the year I’ve been covering them, the most significant lesson I’ve learned is that I’ve only begun to understand how much there is to see, do, and experience together. It gives me much to look forward to in 2010.

Arena Action

NFL playoffs have yet to start, and the final college bowl is still a few weeks away. But make no mistake -- arena season is well under way.

Arenas aren't just for professional and top NCAA teams -- they are the staple of youth tournaments and pro tours every winter. They take place all over the state, and draw regional -- even national -- competitors and audience.

And "arenas" aren't the only facilities hosting these events. Because many take place on courts, the convention centers get into the act. A few weeks ago, the Ocean City Convention Center hosted a regional youth wrestling tournament that brought about 800 grapplers into town during the resort's off season. In Baltimore, Christmas on the Chesapeake Gymnastics competition, held at the Convention Center Dec. 11- 13, brought over 1700 gymnasts of all ages and levels from all over the US and Burmuda to the area.

1st Mariner Arena has been around since my junior high school days (yes, I actually went to see the Beach Boys perform at the Civic Center and have the ticket stub to prove it.) While critics bemoan the facility as archaic and functionally obsolete, it is still a top performer. In fact, 1st Mariner is one of the most productive facilities its size in the country. People flock there on a regular basis to see acts as diverse as Ringling Brothers, Disney on Ice, WWE, and The Boss (who rocked the town a few weeks ago.)

The Baltimore Blast began their season before Christmas (special shout out to our friend, Kevin Healey, who has been such a big help in our World Cup bid) but their home appearances are woven seamlessly with other popular indoor sports.

January 2-3 will bring the Professional Bull Riding Tour (and the Buckle Bunnies who follow them) back to Baltimore. While the BB's cheer for the cowboys, I favor the bucking bovines. Look for a dynamic performance by my favorites, Booger Butt and Blueberry Buckle. Those beefburgers are BAD.

Two weeks later, action sports enthusiasts (a highly caffeinated crowd) will visit 1st Mariner for AMA Arenacross, a motocross tour competition that gives Baltimore a traditional early stop on the annual circuit.

Both of these events are televised, and both bring an economic bump to the state during a bleak time of the year.

For high energy, though, it's hard to top the dance/cheerleading teams who have their competitions during the winter season. They are in arenas, gyms, and community centers all over Maryland. Again, it's an example of what Terry says about youth sports -- they are a major part of the economic impact because of the travel and parental involvement they represent. Hosting a major national competition over several days represents a sizable out of state presence in local hotels. You can see a schedule here:

Also ongoing in sportsplexes throughout Maryland are gymnastics meets. These highly disciplined athletes compete from a very young age, so tournaments include toddlers to teenagers (with family and friends.) Maryland has a number of successful clubs with teams. I'll have to put that on the to-do list for the winter, even though watching those agile contortionists makes my bones creak. (The much more supple Tweety may have to cover instead.)

So when the weather outside is frightful, remember there's always some competition heating up the arenas of Maryland.  Check our calender and get in on the action.

The Winning Team

  It was anything but a normal weekend around Camden Yards.  If you saw the Ravens on TV or even if you were here enjoying the game, it didn't look much different than any other game (although the snowman seated in the upper deck was a nice touch.)  It is to the credit of an extraordinary team of people, drawing on numerous resources and interfacing seamlessly with their counterparts in state and local government, that made the stadium and its parking lots safe and accessible for fans to enjoy tailgating and the game.

I've had the pleasure of working with these folks for more than three years, and have long admired their resourcefulness and dedication to duty.  Some of the facilities personnel worked the entire weekend, not leaving until Sunday night, enduring some pretty brutal conditions shoveling snow in the seating bowl.

Our Chairman, John Morton, summarized their accomplishments in a "Letter to the Editor" I'd like to share with you.  He speaks for all who appreciate how fortunate we are to have these committed professionals working with us.

Dear Editor,

The Ravens were not the only triumphant team at M&T Bank Stadium this weekend. As Chairman of the Maryland Stadium Authority, I’d like to credit those unsung heroes who spent up to 72 hours straight preparing for battle against the toughest snowstorm this region has seen in years.


The Maryland Stadium Authority is committed to not only maintaining and managing our fine sports facilities, but also keeping them safe and accessible for the millions of visitors we have every year. We are vigilant in preparing for any challenge, so when the blizzard of ’09, arrived just before our last home football game, we had our team in place.


The workforce and equipment come from many sources: private contractors, our partners in Camden Yards operations (including the Ravens,) and other state agencies. Efforts to keep the stadium accessible were coordinated with state and local officials who worked tirelessly.. It is a tribute to all involved that the main arteries connecting the stadium were maintained through the storm and the lots were ready for tailgating by Sunday morning.

About 1,750 workers, many of whom stayed Thursday through Sunday night (sleeping on the club level floor) made this remarkable feat possible.


All of us at the Stadium Authority are proud of our teams – the ones on the fields, and those who maintain our operations and offer the best fan experience possible, despite any challenge.

Sincerely,
John Morton, III
Chairman, Maryland Stadium Authority

The Surge

It isn't polite to brag, but that obviously isn't stopping us.  From a deep-in-the-cellar total of a little over a thousand votes in our World Cup Soccer petition, Baltimore has zoomed past DC and is now in the middle of the pack (read: top 18) cities contending to be included in the USA Bid with well over 4,000 signatures.

Astonishing thing is that the surge occurred over a mere three days.  We mentioned some of the sources Terry tapped for support earlier, but we want to give a shout out to Mike Libber and our friends in Elite Soccer (they of the premier youth  tournaments) who contacted their list of 47,000 to encourage support, and Stan "The Fan" Charles, who pushed our cause on his Press Box website.

We've learned the announcement won't be made until after the holidays-- probably very early January -- so we can continue to garner support and keep moving up the ranks.

Thanks so much to all of you who have signed and passed the message along to your friends.  If Baltimore makes the list of 18 and gets included in the Bid, it will be a major coup for the city and state.  (Remember -- we're cheering for FedEx, too.)

Welcoming a Winter Wonderland

When you’re a few hours away from a really big game and the snow crews are still working (after 72 hours straight) to get the stadium and lots clear, it’s hard to think of this unseasonable blizzard as a good thing.

(Just ask the Bears, who sat on the Chicago tarmac for more than two hours before being turned back Friday night.)

But this is Maryland, and there’s plenty of places where this solstice snowstorm is just what’s needed for holiday cheer.

The pictures above come from Maryland Dogsledding, based in Baltimore County. As you can see, the team was in their element as the snow fell yesterday. Maryland Dogsledding operates all year round, with wheeled sleds (known as “gigs”) when the snow isn’t handy. They can take you on some wonderful adventures in the beautiful state parks of Maryland.

There's another place where this early gift from Santa is particularly appreciated -- the magical Wisp ski resort in the mountains of Garrett County.

Actually “ski resort” is now a misnomer since Wisp operates four seasons a year, with a championship golf course, fly-fishing trips to nearby mountain streams, and the new Adventure Sports Center and Deep Creek Lake nearby.


Wisp opened for the snow season just a few weeks ago when all we were getting was a lot of rain. So you can imagine how welcome this is, coming just in time for the holidays. While Wisp offers top of the line snow manufacturing to keep the trails operational, there’s nothing like the real thing to make the mood festive and the slopes superb.

(Yes, you can mush in Wisp, too.  Try  Husky Power Dogsledding )

So while you’re muttering epithets under your breath as you shovel the sidewalk, remember those places nearby that welcome this surprise gift. That’s the thing about Maryland, where there are four seasons of outdoor sports. Whether it’s the mountains, bay, or ocean, you’re only a few hours away.


So on that upbeat note, I’ll leave the comfort of the Warehouse and check out snow patrol at M&T. Tailgaters were scheduled to arrive at 11:00, and I’m guessing nothing is going to keep them away.

Even if it takes a team of huskies . . . .

The Clarion Call

Go ahead -- see how many soccer fans have signed the World Cup petition since Terry took to the airwaves to rally the troops. As I write this, we are nearing 4,000 and closing the gap with our DC neighbors. (Remember -- The DC bid is actually a Maryland bid too, as Fed Ex and several proposed training facilities are in Prince George's and Montgomery Counties.)


Although we still lag behind some of the larger markets, the sudden surge has been duly noted by the US Bid Committee who were impressed with our communication network and media contacts.

So many thanks to those who helped us get the word out -- our beat reporters from the Business Journal, Sun and Daily Record, WJZ-TV and our teammates, Visit Baltimore (responsible for a significant bump when Tom Noonan sent an e-gram to the hospitality industry) and Kevin Healy of the Blast and the Bays, who is wired into all things soccer.  Pete Medd of Crystal Palace stopped in for a visit and activated his data base, too.


We still think the committee plans to meet this weekend to finalize the 18 locales included in the US Bid. Terry assured the Merry Marketeers that a mere blizzard is no deterrent. They have a mission.


So if you're reading this while holed up with your toity paper and milk (the twin staples of Maryland snow survival,) go to your email directory and send a brief note to your fellow sports fans and ask them to sign. After you've done so yourself, of course.

The game is in us, and Maryland is here to play.

While We Wait . . .

.





It’s time for YOU to get in the game. Your help is needed.  Desperately.  Think of it as a shootout, and you're kicking for the home side.

Team Terry has been working almost nonstop for the past few weeks, securing all the documents necessary for Baltimore to be included in the US bid to host a future World Cup. It’s a labor intensive process, involving numerous partners in the public and private sectors, particularly the educational institutions whose facilities would host practice sessions for participating teams.


Maryland is actually blessed with two chances at World Cup glory, since the Washington, DC bid features FedEx field for matches and several Maryland facilities for practice sites. However, the bulk of their bid is being prepared by a DC sports commission.

We’ve heard via the grapevine that Baltimore put together a very strong bid and is near the top in technical merit. However, when the US Bid team makes their decision THIS WEEKEND on the 18 sites they are selecting, they will factor in local support. This is measured by the number of people who sign the online petition that has been circulating for several months. Here, we are in a bad place. Perhaps the urgency of this poll has not been emphasized enough. Another factor is that votes from Maryland are actually divided by zip code with those from Washington suburban areas being credited to their bid.

No matter what the reason, the point is clear — we MUST GET MORE PEOPLE IN THE BALTIMORE SUBURBAN AREA TO SIGN THE PETITION!

Terry has been on the radio and TV, talking about this simple effort by our fans that can make all the difference in the world. Tom Noonan of Visit Baltimore sent an e-mail blast to his massive data base and nearly doubled our numbers in a day.  (Yea, Tom! Way to kick!!)

We need everyone who has a love of sports and appreciation for all the benefits it brings to take just a moment to sign the online petition, and urge their e-mail correspondents to do the same.