March 9, 2010
Sundogs' 500,000th fan a supporter from the start
Bob and Shelli Pike are congratulated after Shelli walked through the Tim's Toyota Center doors last month as the Sundogs' 500,000th fan. (Matt Santos/Arizona Sundogs)
When it was announced a few years back that a minor pro hockey team was being brought to Northern Arizona, a pretty simple - if not somewhat typical - adage led Prescott residents Bob and Shelli Pike to ante up for season tickets.
"Well, we'd been to a few hockey games. It was something to do, and new, and we could get in on the ground floor," Shelli Pike began to explain. "And, of course, it's much better to watch (hockey) in person than to watch it on TV."
Bingo.
So it was only fitting that when the Arizona Sundogs implemented yet another of its now trademark fan appreciation promotions, it would be a season-ticket holder since Game 1 four years ago - Shelli Pike herself - who would garner recognition as the 500,000th fan to walk through the doors of Prescott Valley's Tim Toyota Center in support of the hometown team.
"It's such a milestone," said Shane Ferraro, the Sundogs' manager of public relations and the coordinator of the promotion. "You can't let that pass without recognizing it. Without (fans) we wouldn't be here."
Pike's prize package includes a new washer and dryer, a four-day trip to Mexico and airfare for another trip, among other goodies. And while they were likely going to renew their season tickets for a fifth year next season, having their seats picked up by the Sundogs in 2010-11 won't go unappreciated, she said.
Pike said that while she was surprised that she was the winner in the first place, she was more taken back that the big winner wasn't already in the building.
"We were a little bit late to the game, so we kind of assumed the 500,000th person would have been in there already," she said. "(The Sundogs) do appreciate their fans a lot. They do a lot for the fans. There's always something going on. It just seems like a really well-run organization."
Ferraro said that fan appreciation events are a big part of the minor league sporting culture.
"It's a partnership," Ferraro said. "It's more than just buying a ticket and having them in the building every game."
The nature of minor league sports is such that rosters often shift from month-to-month and sustained success from year-to-year is anything but a given.
"Fan entertainment has to be a staple in minor league hockey and minor league sports in general," Ferraro said.
Over the years, Ferraro said the Sundogs have said "thank you" to its fans for sticking with them by giving away cars, flat screen televisions and other prizes, including - of course - tickets to come back and join the fun again.
"It's especially important in seasons like this," Ferraro explained.
That's because, despite putting a competitive product on the ice each night, the Sundogs have struggled to find the win column with regularity.
"The season might have a completely different look," Ferraro said. "I think some fans realize that, but I think there are others that might just see the record.
"So it's our job to keep (fans) entertained and know that we're here for them like they stick with us."
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