"Edmonton Sports Fans" would like to shine the light on Kail Schofield. A fan group focused on fans of Edmonton teams not blue and orange, he embodies the spirit, theme and culture trying to be created.
The questions being asked are not for the purpose of getting answers but to hear the story. Here we go with Kail.
Talk about your experience working with the Edmonton Stingers as they became the Stingers?
Being the first office employee for a sports team is an interesting experience. When you're there at the very start, there are so many simple things that need to be done that you don't think of when you have to watch a sports franchise. What many people forget is that it is truly a business, and businesses have simple needs. Needs such as.... setting up a physical office and arming it with the necessities that it requires.
Finding the right people to fulfill the right roles is crucial, as you need those personalities who are willing to sacrifice and buy-in for the greater vision. If you think there's a lot of money in sports, there is... if you are a top athlete at the top level. But those are usually the only people within the organization who are making a comfortable living. Most office workers are really doing it for the love of it, and to add the role to their resume.
Your experience being involved in the Canadian Women's Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament?
My experience working for the Women's Olympic qualifier was somewhat limited, but interesting nonetheless. As the in-game host, I got to experience both the excitement in the arena, as well as get a great behind-the-scenes look at how FIBA treats these tournaments very seriously. Access around the building becomes more limited, as FIBA uses different areas for their various needs. And, they treat the in-game experience different as well. With a Pro Sports Experience, there is a major focus on entertainment and atmosphere within the arena. However, the Olympic experience focuses strictly on the game itself and relies on the action to drive a lot of the mood.
One thing I know for sure... Slap a maple leaf on to something, and people become very patriotic!
Your hopes for the Stingers this upcoming season?
I'm incredibly excited to see what year two will hold for The Stingers and the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
To me, year one was strictly about survival. The fact that the league was able to make it through the entire year, have every franchise stick around, and immediately announce plans and schedules for year two is a great confidence booster moving forward.
We've seen other recent leagues not have the same type of success (ie. AAF, women's pro hockey), and I give full credit to the owner of the league for putting his time, money, and resources into an incredibly large endeavour.
If the Stingers are able to return most of their core, especially with League MVP Xavier Moon at the point, they stand a very good chance of standing at center court in the final game of the year, where the championship is being hosted at the Expo Center.
Your lasting takeaway from your years with the Rush Lacrosse club?
Watching the Saskatchewan Rush achieve an incredible level of success both on the field and in the stands is a bittersweet experience for me. The NLL product is amazingly entertaining, and I wish Edmontonians were a little less snobby about their sports choices, and really gave the team a chance.
Saskatoon took in the team with welcome arms, and the Rush are now fully entrenched into the city's fabric. The merchandise sells at an incredible pace, and shows no sign of slowing down.
At least I can say I was part of the championship experience in their very last game here in Edmonton. Being able to host that game and be part of that atmosphere, and celebrate with the loyal season ticket holders and office staff members is a memory that I truly cherish.
The questions being asked are not for the purpose of getting answers but to hear the story. Here we go with Kail.
Talk about your experience working with the Edmonton Stingers as they became the Stingers?
Being the first office employee for a sports team is an interesting experience. When you're there at the very start, there are so many simple things that need to be done that you don't think of when you have to watch a sports franchise. What many people forget is that it is truly a business, and businesses have simple needs. Needs such as.... setting up a physical office and arming it with the necessities that it requires.
Finding the right people to fulfill the right roles is crucial, as you need those personalities who are willing to sacrifice and buy-in for the greater vision. If you think there's a lot of money in sports, there is... if you are a top athlete at the top level. But those are usually the only people within the organization who are making a comfortable living. Most office workers are really doing it for the love of it, and to add the role to their resume.
Your experience being involved in the Canadian Women's Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament?
My experience working for the Women's Olympic qualifier was somewhat limited, but interesting nonetheless. As the in-game host, I got to experience both the excitement in the arena, as well as get a great behind-the-scenes look at how FIBA treats these tournaments very seriously. Access around the building becomes more limited, as FIBA uses different areas for their various needs. And, they treat the in-game experience different as well. With a Pro Sports Experience, there is a major focus on entertainment and atmosphere within the arena. However, the Olympic experience focuses strictly on the game itself and relies on the action to drive a lot of the mood.
One thing I know for sure... Slap a maple leaf on to something, and people become very patriotic!
Your hopes for the Stingers this upcoming season?
I'm incredibly excited to see what year two will hold for The Stingers and the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
To me, year one was strictly about survival. The fact that the league was able to make it through the entire year, have every franchise stick around, and immediately announce plans and schedules for year two is a great confidence booster moving forward.
We've seen other recent leagues not have the same type of success (ie. AAF, women's pro hockey), and I give full credit to the owner of the league for putting his time, money, and resources into an incredibly large endeavour.
If the Stingers are able to return most of their core, especially with League MVP Xavier Moon at the point, they stand a very good chance of standing at center court in the final game of the year, where the championship is being hosted at the Expo Center.
Your lasting takeaway from your years with the Rush Lacrosse club?
Watching the Saskatchewan Rush achieve an incredible level of success both on the field and in the stands is a bittersweet experience for me. The NLL product is amazingly entertaining, and I wish Edmontonians were a little less snobby about their sports choices, and really gave the team a chance.
Saskatoon took in the team with welcome arms, and the Rush are now fully entrenched into the city's fabric. The merchandise sells at an incredible pace, and shows no sign of slowing down.
At least I can say I was part of the championship experience in their very last game here in Edmonton. Being able to host that game and be part of that atmosphere, and celebrate with the loyal season ticket holders and office staff members is a memory that I truly cherish.
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