First, you put a great product on the floor year in, and year out -- only to have attendance go down.  If this city really wants the Express to thrieve, then they need to, (in the words of Coach), put their "butts in the seats".

 

Second, the Express play at Northside, pay $10K in rent, but can't even get quality concession's in the building.  The school system, you would think, would look at this situation as a money-maker -- but alass, they do the very minimum, and do their part poorly.  (And don't get me started on the shaft that the school board wanted to start before the season a couple years back....).

 

Third, (and my last point), is look at all of the crap that was in the on-line comments when this story broke (about the possible sale).  People from all over took cheap shots at this organization, and mainly for Coach simply making a point that many teams have better gyms and concessions, (he mentioned beer sales)....he was treated like an idiot.

 

Long story short....while I don't like it....maybe Coach should take the money and run -- it appears that most of Elkhart don't appreciate the good thing they have.

For the approximately 700 fans who attended that summer exhibition earlier this month, doing so was one way.  I know $1.5 million, the figure the Truth reported, is a big lure, but there are more advantages to keeping the franchise in Elkhart.  For starters, it's something for us fans to do.  Second, the school district benefits from parking and concessions.  Most importantly, the Express is pretty much the only game in town, literally.  It's a half-hour drive from downtown Elkhart to the Cove for Silverhawks games.  (I know; I've been there.  Besides, the 'Hawks lost as many times in the three games I've seen--twice, and both by shutout--as the Express have in the 50 games I've attended!)  Notre Dame is a tough ticket to get no matter what the sport, and wasn't there supposed to be an indoor football team in Elkhart starting this summer?  No promotion is not a good omen.  That leaves only high school sports, which can get kind of rowdy (again, been there, done that).

 

I know we fans have done all we could short of stalking or picketing but, in the words of Denver Post sportswriter Woody Paige, I'm a solutions-oriented guy.  If--if, mind you--Bethea absolutely must sell the franchise, I have an idea that can work for both sides.  Let them have the club, but keep the Express name, logo, and colors in Elkhart (fans of the Cleveland Browns know what I mean).  Then, put some of that money into an expansion franchise, whether it be in the IBL or the Premiere Basketball League, that will assume the Express's identity.  Bethea built a winner from scratch before, which proves he can do it again if he has to.  Of course, the drawback of moving to the PBL for 2009 is the decision won't come until October, which would give Bethea just three months prep time before the PBL starts its season.

 

That's a complex solution, I know, but the simplest solution is to keep the team in Elkhart.  And from the community's point of view, that is the best solution.  Besides, the way last season ended is no way to go out.