|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cyrous Bagheri | |||||||||
| July 17, 2006 | |||||||||
| What We Really Need Around Here Is | |||||||||
| A Professional Sports Team | |||||||||
| ����������� Anybody who knows me knows that I am a strong advocate that we live in one of the best places in America.� I love Virginia and, I love Hampton Roads.� In fact York County where I live has recently been ranked as the thirty second best place to live in America.� Our area just about has it all; beaches, amusement parks, nice homes, shopping malls, parks, history, and much more.� However one thing it is missing is a professional sports team.� I refuse to count the Hampton Roads Admirals or the Norfolk Tides as a professional sports team; I am talking about a team from one of the four major sports leagues (National Football League, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, and the National Hockey League).� | |||||||||
| ����������� Some would say that this is not a legitimate argument; I would have to disagree.� For whatever reason many do not think that a professional sports team would work out in our area.� I happen to think there are plenty of reasons why it would work out.� For starters the city of Norfolk is the biggest city in America without a professional sports team; unfortunately it has been beaten out in the past by other cities less populated.� Our area has also proven that it can show a great deal of support for the minor league teams in our area.� Our area has also grown a lot throughout the years and continues to grow.� There is no doubt that having a professional sports team would help aid in this growth.� I would also bring up the argument that the Hampton Roads area deserves a professional sports team; we have very knowledgeable fans, and have athletes who have contributed to college and professional athletics for a long time now.� Because of our areas gifted athleticism we have had the advantage of following a handful of athletes throughout their careers from high school to the pros.� I think this helps us feel more connected to the world of professional sports; which sometimes we feel like we are on the outside looking in due to the fact that we have no professional team.�� ����� | |||||||||
| ����������� I am aware of some of the problems and reasons why we do not yet have a sports team.� First of all I know that many owners of sports teams would not be willing to take a risk on bringing a sports team to our area; it would just not be worth it.� No matter what we are still not considered a very large city compared to other cities with sports teams.� We also have not had the proper cooperation needed from the different cities that makeup the Hampton Roads area.� Because our area is made up of so many different cities this cooperation is vital if our area is ever going to get a professional team.� Another very obvious reason why Hampton Roads does not yet have a pro team is because there is no major venue to occupy a team; rather we have two minor venues both of which would never be able to hold professional sports events.� Every time I drive by the Hampton Coliseum I shake my head in disappointment, and cant help but to think what might have been if we would have waited until we could have made a larger venue.� | |||||||||
| ����������� In doing research on this paper I came across a 2001 article from the Virginian-Pilot that talked about professional sports in Hampton Roads.� The article talked about how our area is doing several things to try and attract an existing franchise.� Some things in the works would include expanding Harbor Park to temporarily occupy a Major League Baseball team, and finishing up with all the renovations of local highways.� The article also gave readers good news saying that Hampton Roads had made it onto a short list for existing teams move.� One thing that I have regularly heard come up was also included in the article; our area does not have enough corporate sponsorship for a professional team.� Being a huge sports fan I remain optimistic that one day my beloved Hampton Roads will be able to enjoy the fun of having a Professional sports franchise.� | |||||||||
| Works Cited | |||||||||
| Minium, Harry. Area Makes Short for Existing Team's Move. The Virginian-Pilot 19 JUL 2001 1-3. 19 JUL 2006 �� http://www.facilityplanners.com/news/pdf/Professional Sports Hampton Roads. | |||||||||
| ����������� � | |||||||||