The Texas Revolution of the IFL win big in their pre-season match-up versus the North Texas Crunch 103-22.
We could go over the stats all day long — Frankie Solomon Jr. with four interceptions or Marcus Jackson’s 21-26, 220 yards, 5 TD performance, however it may have been the extra mile the Revolution went with the players, dancers, and halftime entertainment, that just may have stole the show.
At halftime of the game that was out of control form the get go (in favor of the Revolution), the Revolution brought in a tall unicyclist named “Red Panda”. She amazed the fans with an act that had her using her legs and feet to throw porcelain bowls in the air to land on her head. Then the Texas Revolution Dancers entertained during time-outs, as well as joined Revolution players on the field for their rendition of the “Gangnam Style” dance towards the end of halftime.
Needless to say when a game gets out of control with that kind of score, it is up to the leadership of the organization to keep the fans entertained.
Not knowing ahead of time the players were going to do so good at their part on the field, it then became the leadership of the Revolution front office of Tommy Benizio, Charlie Hildbold, and Barney Welch to keep the fans interested. And boy did they have that under control. They know as a group it is important to keep the fans in the middle of the action as well as have them leaving wanting more. They did that Thursday night.
Charlie Hildbold told me once in an interview last season…
Every game is scripted —100% scripted. There can not be one second of dead time, and I can tell when there is, and I hate when there is. As soon as the play is done, there should be something happening. The goal is for people to have a good time. We want them to leave the game, then get them to their jobs on Monday morning, and talk about how fun it was to be there at the game. And when their friends ask what the final score was, the person is like—I don’t know. I don’t remember, but I do remember I had a great time. And that is the key. We work hard to get them in the building, and then it is our job to give them something to come back for.
Thursday night they did everything to complete their goal, and it showed. Listening to people when they left the building, they were talking more about the team doing “Gangam Style“ dance, and the “Red Panda” and the dancers more-so than the game (See the video). Mission accomplished I would say.
The dedication of the Revolution staff was very obvious. A dedication that just was not there last season when they joined on with the Wranglers mid-season. Their hands were tied with a “business as usual” stance from people already in the organization. And seeing what happened on the field just for this pre-season game, it just proves what Tommy Benizio told me in an interview last season…
It is odd to step in mid-season. When you are in our industry, you work 365 days a year, but you really are only open for business those seven days of the regular season where people can see your product. Typically there is an incredible amount of preparation for six, seven, or even eight months, prior to the first game. You plan promotions and you put forth a great effort to gain the season ticket holders, but not being here those months before the season, rather be here weeks into the season, is a fairly new experience for me. It presents some struggles. There are a lot of things we want to do, and do them so well. We really want to have the best product in the league. So there are challenges, and you feel a little behind (when you don‘t have that prep time).
All I know, as someone who does the play by play for the Revolution, it was VERY obvious that the Championship Sports Group know what they are doing, and they did it very well Thursday night. The fruits of all their labor, were very well received from everyone in attendance!
I even left the building of the new Texas Revolution of the IFL — a fan, and I love the game of football. Now I am a fan of the whole production.
Now — doing what I do for the Revolution, I may be a little bias here, however I know a good thing when I see it. And for those in the Allen, Texas area — you will be missing out on a great time for a great value, if you don’t get out to see the Texas Revolution. Not only that—they are a pretty good football team!
Sonny Clark is the radio voice of the Texas Revolution.
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