You will find excerpts from the Fun While It Lasted interview series spread throughout the site. Here are the full interview transcripts, organized alphabetically by sport and last name. Click on any name to go to a downloadable file of the full interview. All interviews are copyrighted.
Minor League Baseball
Chris Ames
Director of Ticket Sales/The World Famous Monkey Boy – Nashua Pride (1998-2000)
On: first jobs, the birth of a mascot act, and impressing the San Diego Chicken
Jeff Eisenberg
Assistant General Manager – Holyoke Millers (1980)
On: Stadium buyouts and learning to sell (or not) in the mom & pop era.
Chris English
Owner – Nashua Pride (1998-2004)
On: buying ball clubs out of the newspaper, Rusty Staub and independent baseball
Lloyd Kern
Owner – West Haven Yankees & Lynn Sailors (1977-1981)
On: minor league ownership in 1970’s
Andy Milovich
Director of Stadium Operations – Madison Hatters (1994)
Director of Media Relations – Battle Creek Golden Kazoos/Michigan Battle Cats (1995)
On: Kazoos, sham ‘Name The Team’ contests, operating your team as a community trust
John Tull
General Manager – Peninsula Pilots (1989-1990)
On: Breaking Into Sports, Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” as interpreted by a Harry Caray impersonator
Professional Basketball
Rob Ekno
Director of Public Relations – Worcester Counts (1989)
On: How to paper a city with free tickets, the double-edged sword of buying broadcast time, drugs & alcohol
Rich Ernsting
Program Artist – Indiana Pacers (1975-1976)
On: Creating watercolor art for Pacers game programs during the ABA era
Jimmy Oldham
Director of International Public Relations – World Basketball League (1991-1992)
On: Short basketball players, slippery balls and getting big in Europe
Kevin Veleke
General Manager – Washington Lumberjacks (1978-1979)
On: The Western Basketball Association
Steven Warshaw
General Manager – Bay State Bombardiers (1984-1986)
General Manager – Rockford Lightning (1986-1987)
On: Dave Cowens, salty popcorn and the quest to play ball in the sunshine
Professional Football
Rob Ekno
Director of Public Relations – New England Steamrollers (1988)
On: Free tickets, cocaine, homelessness
Rudi Schiffer
Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations – Memphis Showboats (1984-1985)
On: Promoting soccer and football in Memphis, Reggie White’s socks
Gil Swalls
Director of Public Relations – Oklahoma Outlaws (1984)
On: spring football, terrible weather and demanding a domed stadium
Professional Hockey
Peter Wilt
Public Relations – Milwaukee Admirals (1983-1987)
On: Breaking into sports, his bias against Notre Dame grads, the difference between propeller planes and turbo props.
Miles Wolff
Owner – Raleigh IceCaps (1991-1995)
On: making ice, profane four-year olds in Toledo, and independent baseball’s debt to the ECHL
Godfrey Wood
Owner – New England Stingers (1994)
On: roller hockey vs. ice hockey
Professional Soccer
Micah Buchdahl
Director of Public Relations/Acting General Manager – New York Express (1986-1987)
On: Shep Messing, financial ruin and looted office equipment
Charlie Evranian
Director of Operations/President – Chicago Sting (1980-1982)
On: The North American Soccer League and the MISL
Bill Kentling
General Manager – Wichita Wings (1980-1986)
Commissioner – Major Indoor Soccer League (1986-1989)
On: ‘Save the Team’ campaigns, threatening peoples’ pets, and the NBA’s debt to indoor soccer
Ilisa Kessler
General Manager – FC Gold Pride (2008-2010)
On: The Marta Effect (or lack thereof), unitards and the youth soccer fallacy
Ingo Krieg
Owner – Jacksonville Tea Men (1983-84)
On: Rescuing a failing franchise and the Jackson 5 Victory Tour
Dave Presher
General Manager – San Diego Spirit (2002-2003)
On: Gutsy trades, signing Marta, and losing your league
Rudi Schiffer
Vice President of Public Relations/General Manager – Memphis Rogues (1978-1980)
General Manager – Calgary Boomers (1980-1981)
On: Promoting soccer in the 1970’s, Parents Without Partners, and spying on Red Auerbach
Doug Verb
Front Office – Philadelphia Atoms (1976)
Director of Public Relations & Team Services Major Indoor Soccer League (1982-1986)
President Chicago Sting (1982-1986)
On: Chicago Sting behind-the-scenes, launching the MISL, getting bonused in soybeans
##
