It's time to back Thunder

YOUNGSTOWN -- A professional indoor football team in an established league with franchises in nine states has come to downtown Youngstown, adding further credibility that the city is on the verge of a renaissance.
The Mahoning Valley Thunder of the arenafootball2 league, which will play eight of its 16 games at the Chevrolet Centre, has all of the ingredients to be a successful enterprise to further enhance the city's image and boost the local economy.
That's because the franchise is being created on a strong financial foundation within a professional infrastructure and atmosphere, in a brand new arena that is an attraction in itself, with an outstanding marketing plan and for Valley residents who love their football -- year round -- inside or outside.
Plus, there are only eight home games to market and they will be played in a warm and comfortable environment away from inclement weather, on a beautiful Cortland Banks Field and along with a variety of entertainment -- including cheerleaders and mascot Boomer and big-screen video displays -- that will appeal to a variety of ages and interests and personalities.
The hope is to fillChevrolet Centre
The hope is -- and in fact the outlook is bright -- that the Thunder can fill or come close to filling the 5,700-seat Chevrolet Centre for the March 31 opener at 7:05 p.m. against the Tri-Cities (Wash.) Fever, and for the subsequent seven home games that will be spaced out over four months until the finale July 28 against the Green Bay Blizzard.
If that happens, it will be a boon for Youngstown because the Thunder will be attracting thousands of visitors to the downtown from all over Northeastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, which will continue to enhance the city's image and popularity and help to develop and expand local businesses to meet the demands of the public.
The Thunder's other opponents are the Cincinnati Jungle Kats, Albany (N.Y.) Conquest, Wilkes-Barre Scranton (Pa.) Pioneers, Florida Firecats. Manchester (N.H.) Wolves, Quad City (Iowa) Steamwheelers and the Tennessee Valley Vipers, which will bring a cross-section of America to Youngstown, including some of their fans.
City advances furtheron the national stage
The fact that Youngstown, which already has the Youngstown SteelHounds of the Central Hockey League at the Chevrolet Centre, is associating with first-class indoor football franchises from eight other states, has further advanced the city onto the national sports stage and polished its image throughout the region.
The pro sports, coupled with the Chevrolet Centre's diverse attractions, Youngstown's outstanding and expanding arts district, Youngstown State University and a growing high-technolgy sector, are creating an evolving cosmopolitan atmosphere in the city.
The Thunder's long-term net effect, besides providing entertainment and employment, is that it could become a great advertisement for the city, just like the SteelHounds, while at the same time promoting business, creating jobs and injecting thousands of dollars into the local money supply.
That new money, through the multiplier effect, will spread throughout the area and help to boost the regional economy.
Entrepreneurs riskmoney to lift area
Indeed, the area is fortunate to have entrepreneurs like Thunder owners Dr. Michael Slyk, Dr. Jon Saadey and Tim Chesney for providing the leadership and potential for all these great benefits to happen for the area, just like SteelHounds' owner Herb Washington has done with hockey at the Chevrolet Centre.
Like Washington, the Thunder owners are investing and risking their money in an enterprise that has the potential to boost the entire area, and send Youngstown's enhanced reputation throughout a host of states and the national indoor football scene.
That's because like Washington, Drs. Slyk and Saadey and Chesney want to do something positive for the area, and believe in themselves, their expertise and ideas and exude confidence and optimism that they will succeed.
They are strong and professional leaders, strategists and planners willing to risk their money to make the area better, and they deserve our support.
So come on Youngstown area: Buy a ticket and see a Thunder game just like you have supported the SteelHounds, and help the fledging franchise bolstered by several area players to become the city's professional football team -- just like Cleveland has the Browns and Pittsburgh the Steelers.
Those cities did it -- and so can we.
John Kovach is a sports reporter for The Vindicator. Write to him at kovach@vindy.com.