Shakeup at the Tacoma Rainiers (24. May 2007, 16:00 by Derek Young) ~ Where To Next?
We’re hearing whisperings. The little birds are starting to talk. What’s the word? The first thing we heard was that the Schlegel Group was in town talk about the management of the Rainiers. Now, we hear that the General Manager, Dave Lewis, has been fired. While not knowing names, apparently the changes didn’t end with Mr. Lewis and others are heading out too. We’re curious about the direction here.
More details to come out soon…
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Not surprising, the last three seasons have been peanuts.
1 | Posted by Broadweezy | May 24, 04:07 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 24, 2007
Contact: Geoff Corkum, Director of Media Development
Tacoma Rainiers Professional Baseball
(253) 722-2025 Office
(253) 376-5910 Cell
gcorkum@tacomarainiers.com
TACOMA RAINIERS NAME AARON ARTMAN TEAM PRESIDENT
Increased Attendance and Stadium Renovations are Artman’s Top Priorities
Artman Brings Marketing, Game Entertainment, Advertising, and Sales Experience
Thursday May 24, 2007 – Schlegel Sports Group today announced that Aaron Artman was named President of the Tacoma Rainiers. A Pacific Northwest native, Artman spent nearly six years as Creative Director for Mandalay Baseball Properties and Director of Marketing & Communications for the Frisco RoughRiders – Mandalay’s flagship franchise.
More recently, Artman was with Microsoft, where he led the Windows Consumer Marketing in the OEM Division – spearheading the launch of Windows Vista with major PC manufacturers.
He brings passion and experience to his presidency, which will enable him to deliver an enhanced sports and entertainment experience to the Tacoma Market while creating value for the fans, the corporate partners and the community. Artman will begin his tenure on Monday June 4. Artman will replace General Manager Dave Lewis, who led the franchise for 8 years. Lewis may serve as a consultant to the Tacoma Rainiers and Schlegel Sports Group.
“I know first hand what an asset Aaron will be,” said Kirby Schlegel, owner of Schlegel Sports Group. “It’s a coup for the Rainiers to get such a successful professional sports executive.”
“This job is a dream come true for me, the combination of raising my family in the Pacific Northwest and leading a storied franchise like the Rainiers,” said Aaron Artman, incoming President of Tacoma Rainiers.
ABOUT THE TACOMA RAINIERS
The Tacoma Rainiers are preparing to begin our second year of operation under the new ownership of Schlegel Sports (Dallas, Texas). Schlegel Sports is a budding sports and entertainment group founded by talented entrepreneur Kirby Schlegel. The umbrella of Schlegel Sports includes the highly successful Texas Tornado Hockey Team, the Iowa Stars Hockey Team (Triple-A Affiliate of the Dallas Stars) and the Tacoma Rainiers Baseball Team (Triple –A Pacific Coast League).
Schlegel Sports is directly managed by President Mike McCall. McCall, a widely successful sports and entertainment operator with over 20 years of experience, is intimately involved in the philosophies and operating mantra of each Schlegel Sports property.
The Tacoma Rainiers are the Triple-A Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners and most recently won the 2005 Pacific Conference Championship. Many players that have worn a Tacoma uniform are playing in the Major Leagues including Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Ken Griffey, Jr. and former baseball stand out Mark McGwire. The Rainiers play at Cheney Stadium located near downtown Tacoma.
3 | Posted by Roxanne | May 24, 07:59 PM
New ownership of any business usually will clean out the closet.
In this case Dave Lewis deserves better. He ran a franchise that was fan friendly, and made it an enjoyable experience at Cheney Stadium.
New Ownership has done just the opposite, Cheney Staduim has a very sterile vibe to it these days.
4 | Posted by Foul Ball | May 25, 10:14 AM
It is really too bad about Dave and the rest of the staff. The new ownership certainly cares about the corporate dollars, but not the fans. They’ll find that if the fans aren’t happy, the corporate dollars won’t be there either. Unfortunately the end result is that they’ll lose money, say Tacoma can’t support a team, then try to move it elsewhere. It will be their fault but Rainiers fans will be left out in the cold. It is completely a lose-lose plan they are embarked on.
5 | Posted by Schlegel Schmagel | May 29, 03:57 PM
Whoa! That is some conspiracy theory! I like Dave Lewis and I am sorry he won’t be around anymore but he doesn’t seem bitter about the changes and certainly doesn’t share your view that the new owners aren’t committed to Tacoma. I believe they are and have seen evidence of that.
6 | Posted by Siwel | May 31, 07:42 AM
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