EAST HARTFORD — -
They distributed 10,460 tickets, but only 5,201 passed through the turnstiles at Rentschler Field for the Connecticut debut of the United Football League.
But even as a stream of cars was leaving the parking lot at halftime Thursday night, league officials were glowing. The number of bodies in the stands was secondary to the ability of the people who run Rentschler demonstrating they know how to stage a game.
And according to Commissioner Michael Huyghue, the stadium proved it's ready for house a franchise.
"Markets like Hartford appeal to us because I think we have the opportunity to come in here, not have a lot of competition and to put a good quality product on the field," Huyghue said. "There's just a lot of things here that give us a good feel and make us excited about the prospect."
The fans that turned out saw the best and the worst of the UFL, as the unbeaten Florida Tuskers beat the winless New York Sentinels, 24-6. Florida (5-0) has already clinched a spot in the league title game while New York (0-5) is playing out the season.
But the game was simply a backdrop. The league plans to add two franchises next season and Hartford is top choice, especially for the Windsor-raised Huyghue.
An announcement is expected before the end of the year. The league owns 50 percent of each franchise and a local group will own 50 percent. League sources have identified Northland Investment Corp. as the likely owner of a Hartford franchise.
Northland AEG also runs Rentschler Field, which is a plus for Huyghue.
"AEG operated facilities always operate like clockwork," Huyghue said. "They know the sports world, they know how to put on an event. I think that's important."
Huyghue said the grass at Rentschler must be replaced by field turf if a UFL franchise is to share the facility with UConn. The league has been contact with UConn, Huyghue said.
UConn coach Randy Edsall has voiced his support in the past for a move to synthetic turf, so the UFL won't get resistance from the stadium's primary tenant.
"It's something we would be prepared and willing to do," Huyghue said. "We've got to make the stadium suitable for us."
As for the league's unveiling at The Rent, fans showed some life when the "home team" drove for a field goal in the first half. New York was introduced as "Your New York Sentinels," but the crowd seemed more interested in the overall game than either team.
College students were admitted for free, but potential customers from UConn were probably in Storrs for a tribute to slain football player Jasper Howard. The game was also competing with a Miley Cyrus concert at the XL Center.
Still, there was a strong contingent of fans from Bloomfield. Florida's starting fullback was Andrew Pinnock, the former Bloomfield High star who has landed in the UFL after spending five seasons in the NFL.
Pinnock missed last season with a knee injury. He decided to resurrect his career in the UFL, figuring his best chance to climb back to the NFL was by showcasing himself.
And not long after he signed with Florida, his son Andrell pointed out that he would be playing a game at Rentschler Field. It was his first game in the state since he left Bloomfield 10 years ago.
"This was special," Pinnock said. "This was a homecoming. It was just a blessing to be back out here in front of my family, friends and come out and have fun. Just the feeling, the atmosphere, it brought back so many memories.
Pinnock, who played for the Chargers, said he is committed to the league and having more fun than he's had in years.
"We're having so much fun," Pinnock said. "It's like college all over again."
But even as a stream of cars was leaving the parking lot at halftime Thursday night, league officials were glowing. The number of bodies in the stands was secondary to the ability of the people who run Rentschler demonstrating they know how to stage a game.
And according to Commissioner Michael Huyghue, the stadium proved it's ready for house a franchise.
"Markets like Hartford appeal to us because I think we have the opportunity to come in here, not have a lot of competition and to put a good quality product on the field," Huyghue said. "There's just a lot of things here that give us a good feel and make us excited about the prospect."
The fans that turned out saw the best and the worst of the UFL, as the unbeaten Florida Tuskers beat the winless New York Sentinels, 24-6. Florida (5-0) has already clinched a spot in the league title game while New York (0-5) is playing out the season.
But the game was simply a backdrop. The league plans to add two franchises next season and Hartford is top choice, especially for the Windsor-raised Huyghue.
An announcement is expected before the end of the year. The league owns 50 percent of each franchise and a local group will own 50 percent. League sources have identified Northland Investment Corp. as the likely owner of a Hartford franchise.
Northland AEG also runs Rentschler Field, which is a plus for Huyghue.
"AEG operated facilities always operate like clockwork," Huyghue said. "They know the sports world, they know how to put on an event. I think that's important."
Huyghue said the grass at Rentschler must be replaced by field turf if a UFL franchise is to share the facility with UConn. The league has been contact with UConn, Huyghue said.
UConn coach Randy Edsall has voiced his support in the past for a move to synthetic turf, so the UFL won't get resistance from the stadium's primary tenant.
"It's something we would be prepared and willing to do," Huyghue said. "We've got to make the stadium suitable for us."
As for the league's unveiling at The Rent, fans showed some life when the "home team" drove for a field goal in the first half. New York was introduced as "Your New York Sentinels," but the crowd seemed more interested in the overall game than either team.
College students were admitted for free, but potential customers from UConn were probably in Storrs for a tribute to slain football player Jasper Howard. The game was also competing with a Miley Cyrus concert at the XL Center.
Still, there was a strong contingent of fans from Bloomfield. Florida's starting fullback was Andrew Pinnock, the former Bloomfield High star who has landed in the UFL after spending five seasons in the NFL.
Pinnock missed last season with a knee injury. He decided to resurrect his career in the UFL, figuring his best chance to climb back to the NFL was by showcasing himself.
And not long after he signed with Florida, his son Andrell pointed out that he would be playing a game at Rentschler Field. It was his first game in the state since he left Bloomfield 10 years ago.
"This was special," Pinnock said. "This was a homecoming. It was just a blessing to be back out here in front of my family, friends and come out and have fun. Just the feeling, the atmosphere, it brought back so many memories.
Pinnock, who played for the Chargers, said he is committed to the league and having more fun than he's had in years.
"We're having so much fun," Pinnock said. "It's like college all over again."
League sources have identified Northland Investment Corp. as the likely owner of a Hartford franchise. Northland AEG also runs Rentschler Field, which is a plus for Huyghue. "AEG operated facilities always operate like clockwork," Huyghue said. "They know the sports world, they know how to put on an event. I think that's important."
Interesting quotes to run, except for the fact that if the Courant did any sort of research, they would know that the State terminated Northland AEG's contract out at Rentschler (3 years early) and is accepting RFPs for new management. There is no reason for Northland to be an owner of a UFL team if they don't run the stadium as well.
DavidBrent (11/13/2009, 3:07 PM )