New web site is 100% Ghost

The site Webmasters have redesigned and enhanced the fighter’s virtual world.

Vindicator staff report

Tuesday brought good news for those who can’t get enough of “The Ghost.”

After months of collaboration and development, the new version of Kelly Pavlik’s official Web site, www.teampavlik.com, went live.

“The Ghost and Team Pavlik make us proud and we’re honored that we can share their image and story with the world,” said the site’s manager, Noel Salwan, a Cleveland State graduate who joined fellow northeast Ohioans Tim Parnin and Dave Padrutt in overhauling the site.

Pavlik approved designs and format for the site, which will include a Pavlik blog, an e-mail sign-up for news alerts, an online store with official merchandise, an option to convert the site to 12 different languages, links to Pavlik’s favorite sites and a calendar listing upcoming appearances and charity events.

“We are introducing Kelly to the world as a larger-than-life sporting personality,” said Parnin, the site’s programmer who graduated from Fordham and has done graduate studies at John Carroll. “We sought to create a site that is clean and well-organized, yet still graphically appealing and appropriately representing of Kelly.”

The site was originally launched in 2006 and has since been visited by more than 650,000 unique visitors. Fans have placed more than 2,500 orders for merchandise on the site, which sells hats, T-shirts, memorabilia and more. The site also has photos, videos, biographical information and links to news about Pavlik, including a link to The Vindicator’s coverage.

“A lot of effort and energy was involved with development and it sets a solid foundation for the Web site’s growth and expansion,” Salwan said. “It [was] time to give fans a fresh look and new features.”

Padrutt, a Kent State graduate, said they tried to highlight both Pavlik’s fierce fighting style and his down-to-earth persona outside the ring.

“Our aim in the development ... is to reflect the unique champion that he is,” Padrutt said. “Not only is Kelly a daunting athletic force, he is also a compassionate, considerate human being.”