Fans see the glass half full despite dismal days

John Bassetti \ Thunder Insider

Disappointing, discouraging, disheartening, frustrating.

Four words to describe the Mahoning Valley Thunder’s 1-7 record.

Entertaining, enjoyable, wholesome, fun.

Four more words to describe the Mahoning Valley Thunder experience.

Season ticket holders Rob Reilly, Ray Lewis, Susan Pritchard and Ron Vass don’t have a vested interested in the af2 team, but they’ve developed a fondness for the game and the organization. Here, they give reasons for remaining faithful, while questioning why many Valley residents haven’t sampled the product.

To Reilly, a 1986 Mineral Ridge graduate who now lives in Austintown, the record isn’t that important.

“It’s a great show and I’m surprised that more people don’t go.”

Reilly, who has three seats on the mat at field level, said he and his 9-year-old daughter haven’t missed a game yet.

“If she had a choice to see an Ohio State game or a Thunder game, she’s choose the Thunder because it’s up-close and personal,” Reilly said of being near the field. He allows his daughter, Alaina, to bring a friend and they usually love it, Reilly said, because of the chance of catching a ball or having a player fly into their laps.

“I’m not sure why people haven’t adopted arena ball. Everybody talks that there’s nothing to do and they’re bored. Well they put a great product on the field, yet it lacks the support it should have.”

Reilly stressed that the Covelli Centre is a reasonable drive from anywhere in the Tri-County area and a lot easier trek than Cleveland for pro sports.

“When I first came out, I was shocked that more people didn’t come. For $12 a seat, it’s hard to go to the movies for that. And Youngstown is supposed to be a football town.”

The 41-year-old Reilly, a self-employed, custom-home builder, said that if people would open their eyes — and minds — there is enough to do.

“If you read what’s going on there are things to do. I’d like to see this area do well, but if people bury their heads in the sand that’s not how it gets better.”

The team’s March-through-July schedule may not be the most appealing season for football, but Reilly thinks there should still be enough people to generate a decent home crowd.

“If you’re going to be negative, you’re never going to succeed in life.”

Ray Lewis of the West Side isn’t throwing in the towel, either.

The 1996 graduate of Chaney said he became a season ticket holder on a whim in March 2007.

“My brother and I wanted to get as close to the field as possible, so we got seats in the end zone and they’re perfect. It’s been a good time.”

Lewis, whose group has a dozen seats in the section near the player entrance, said that people should appreciate the entertainment value of the indoor game.

“Sure, the football’s down and it’s frustrating, but so many people in this area are missing out on a good thing. I’ve got a 7- and 3-year-old and you’d never believe a 3-year-old would make it through a game. It’s kid-friendly.”

Lewis said his son, Riley, formed a bond with former Thunder player Jon Tackmann, a fullback-linebacker.

“I’ve probably got 50 Tackmann autographs in my house,” said Ray Lewis, who also revealed that, at a postseason auction, Tackmann took the shirt off his back and gave it to Riley.

“That’s an example of the kind of players they are,” said Lewis, “and [defensive back] Ray Williams is similar. That teaches the kids sportsmanship.”

Susan Pritchard has been a season ticket holder all three years and a 4-20 record over the last 24 games isn’t endearing, but she still loves football.

“I like indoor better and what it offers. I think it’s much more fan-oriented,” Pritchard said.

Having seats right behind the players enhances the camaraderie.

“It’s pretty neat that you can slap them on the shoulder pads when they do well and we go down after the game and talk to the guys and get autographs. Plus, I love the fastness of the game and everything about it.”

Pritchard thinks the losing streak is something that the team must work through.

“I don’t know what the answer is, but it’s a difficult time right now. It’s disheartening, but the guys love what they’re doing or they wouldn’t be there. Win or lose, the guys are all very nice.”

Susan said she used to watch a lot of AFL on TV and wondered what the arena atmosphere of lights, noise and action would be like.

“When the Thunder came to town, I said ‘this is my cup of tea.’ It’s more me than my husband. I just really enjoy it.”

Pritchard attends games with her husband, Bill, and granddaughter, Haley.

For her 12th birthday last June, Haley was presented with the game ball by her favorite player, Brian Majors.

“I don’t know how he did it, but he got the game ball and gave it to her for her birthday,” Pritchard said.

Last year, she sat behind the visiting team’s bench and needled the opposing players.

“I’d scream and holler a lot and they’d turn around and look at me and shake their heads, but they’re all nice guys. You kind of see some of the same ones for the last three years, and they tend to kind of remember you.”

Vass is a season-ticket newcomer for 2009, who became a fan through a church renewal program that included Thunder tri-owner Jon Saadey.

“I worked with him [at St. Christine’s and St. Maron’s] and got to know he was an owner. I wanted to support it because I think it’s a great thing for the area. I would think people would want it to succeed. The whole organization has a vision for the Valley and what they’re trying to promote is very good.”

Even though he’s discouraged by the losses, there’s an upside.

“It’s been fast-moving, very entertaining and lots of fun,” said Vass, who likes the af2’s brand that combines elements of wrestling, hockey and controlled brutality.

Vass shares his tickets with his son and friends. His seats are near the closed part of the end zone.

“It’s a good view of the whole field, right before the bleachers straighten out to go down the sidelines.”

Vass isn’t adverse to spending warm summer days outdoors at a baseball game, but he’d prefer seeing more action at a climate-controlled facility.

It could be idealism that drives Vass, the safety director for Columbiana-based Dart Trucking.

“If you’ve got a hometown team, like the Browns, a lot of people abandon them, but that’s northeastern Ohio’s team as far as I’m concerned. Even though they’re having rough times, we still stand behind them. It should be no different with the Thunder.”

“I’m waiting for my grandson to be old enough so he could get caught up in that, like seeing Boomer the mascot running around.”

bassetti@vindy.com