TOLEDO – As Ohio, and much of the country, awoke this morning to a red wave, it was a different story for the blue dot that is Lucas County.
Schuyler Beckwith, chair of the Lucas County Democratic Party, addresses democratic supporters and politicians during the election watch party.
Krista Schneider passed out dozens of handheld signs that read ‘Reelect Sherrod Brown.
The mood at the democratic watch party inside the UAW Local 12 Union Hall on Tuesday night was mostly cheerful as hundreds of supporters and elected officials celebrated each time a local democrat claimed victory, or a local issue passed, like Issue 9, the Toledo mayoral term limit expansion.
But, at times, there were bouts of somber silence as they watched Issue 1 fail and realized businessman Bernie Moreno was going to defeat populist Sherrod Brown.
Earlier in the evening, when the numbers were favoring Brown, democratic volunteer Krista Schneider enthusiastically passed out dozens of handheld signs that read ‘Reelect Sherrod Brown.’
“Love, life and moving away from hatred,” she proclaimed as she handed out the placards in support of the union-friendly Brown, who was at a different watch party at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Columbus Convention Center Hotel in Columbus.
Standing nearby was Michele Grim, and as she took a Brown handsign, she said “he’s with us in spirit and in our hearts and minds.” Grim, who was running for an reelection bid to serve in the 43rd House District, securing that seat.
Also present inside the union hall were winners of their local elections: Toledo city council at-large newcomer Mac Driscoll, winning by a resounding 70 percent; Lucas County commissioner Pete Gerken; Lucas County Common Pleas judge Ken Walz; Lucas County State Rep. Grim; and Erika White, who will take the seat for the state’s 41st District.
Toledo city council at-large member Mac Driscoll, center, celebrates his win with Anna Schramm and Phil Moline.Lucas County Common Pleas judge Ken Walz is introduced by UAW Local 14 President Tony Totty. Walz will be the newest judge on the bench.
Michele Grim speaks to a supporter at the democratic watch party. She was reelected to to her 43rd House District seat.
One of the more celebratory moments was when Driscoll toasted to his victory with Ruffino Lumina Prosecco in clear plastic cups.
Expected to arrive later in the evening was Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, 78. Kaptur is serving her 21st term and battling the race of her political career against Derek Merrin. Merrin’s political career began in 2005 when he was elected to the Waterville city council. He was just 19, becoming the Waterville mayor two years later.
But, at 11:30 p.m., UAW Local 14 President Tony Totty walked up to the podium and announced to the dwindling audience that she wasn’t going to make an appearance.
As of the publishing of this story, the race between Kaptur and Merrin for U.S. House of Representative Ohio District 9 is still too close to call. Both are tied at 48 percent, though Kaptur has a 1,193 vote lead.
Head coach Ginny Boggess watches action on the court while her players anticipate a three-point shot attempt.
New season lifts off for Toledo women’s basketball
Story by Steve Bieber | Photos by Scott Grau
TOLEDO – Head coach Ginny Boggess has a perfect 1-0 record after winning her first game against Marshall on Monday.
It was a fitting debut as Toledo women’s basketball kicked off its 50th anniversary season in front of 3,754 fans who welcomed the new coach to Savage Arena with great enthusiasm.
Students were among 3,754 fans who welcomed new head coach Ginny Boggess.
University of Toledo women’s basketball head coach Ginny Bogges.
Boggess spent the past three seasons as head coach at Monmouth University in New Jersey, where she inherited a two-win team and coached them to a NCAA tournament appearance.
The Rockets starting slowly, allowing Marshall to surge to 22-8 in the first quarter, but they turned it around and outscored the Herd each quarter after that, eventually chipping away at the lead. It wasn’t until early in the fourth quarter that Toledo took the lead after center Hannah Noveroske‘s layup put them up 56-54.
Both teams battled back and forth in the fourth quarter until Kendall Carruthers, a Springfield High School graduate, made a jump shot with 25 seconds left to give the Rockets the go-ahead three-point lead. Marshall had the chance to tie the game with five seconds remaining but failed after Maddie Kellione’s three-point basket was called off due to a traveling violation.
Despite the rough start, Boggess spoke highly of her players for pulling it off.
“First and foremost, I want to thank the sixth man here at Savage Arena for showing up and showing out tonight,” she said. “I was really excited how our seniors led, and we’ve got some talented young players who stepped up in big moments for us.
“Overall, the toughness, the resiliency, the championship culture and the ‘Blue Collar, Gold Standard mentality’ was really shown tonight and I’m proud of our fight,” she added.
The coach said she had been awake since 4:48 a.m., feeling eager all day leading up to the game, and feeling excited for her seniors and the rest of the team. She also discussed the impact of the fans and said the home crowd lived up to her expectations.
“It’s amazing. I walked down and just got goosebumps all over my body; this is a really really special place.”
Ginny Bogges shouts instructions to her players on the court during the home season opener against Marshall.
Ginny Bogges talks to her bench during the home season opener against Marshall.
Boggess has made it her mission to continue the tradition at the university.
“I’m here because of the leadership and tradition and because women’s basketball is important at the University of Toledo. We want to keep that tradition going. I really believe this is a special place and these are special players. We’ll continue to keep working really hard to represent you guys,” she vowed.
One fan watching the season opener was Toledo native Dick Greenblatt. He has been a fan since he graduated from the university in 1967. He said he was impressed with what he saw from the new head coach.
“I like her. I think she’s got a lot of good ideas and she’s going to work out just great,” he said.
Sylvania resident Kaiko Zureich has been following the Toledo’s women’s basketball team for 15 years. She is not only a fan but a mentor to freshman Jessica Cook. She felt that the future is bright for the players and new coach.
“We have a great new coach. The girls are really coming together as a team. I am a mentor so I talk to the girls a lot, and I’m excited about this season. They’ll get it together and we’re going to go far,” Zureich said.
Coach Ginny Bogges talks to guard Destiny Robinson during the home season opener against Marshall.
Game Recap
First Quarter
Marshall scored 10 points to start the game, but Toledo finally scored when Noveroske made a layup with 5:55 left in the first quarter.
Toledo trailed 16-5 at the first media timeout, and the Rockets made 18 percent of their field goals.
A jump shot from Sammi Mikonowicz and a free throw from Emmi Rinat cut the lead to 22-8 at the end of the first quarter.
Second Quarter
Mikonowicz’s three-point-play and a layup from Faith Fredd-Robinson helped cut the lead to 28-19 at the 4:45 mark.
The Rockets battled back and outscored Marshal 21-15 in the second quarter.
Toledo’s offense showed improvement after shooting 8-16 and received help with a huge trey from Nan Garcia near the end of the half to cut the lead to 37-29.
Third Quarter
Mikonowicz opened the half with a layup to make the lead 37-31.
Rockets trailed 44-41 at the break after shooting 5-of-8 from the floor.
Toledo cut the lead to one when Cook made a layup to make the score 44-43 with 3:46 left to play.
After trading baskets, Khera Goss nailed both free throws to help Toledo pull within one again as Toledo trailed 54-53 after three quarters.
Toledo guard and Rossford High School graduate Sammi Mikonowicz goes in for a layup between Marshall defenders during the third quarter .
Fourth Quarter
A layup from Noveroske gave the Rockets their first lead at the 9:28 mark of the fourth quarter.
After battling back and forth, the Rockets led the Thundering Herd 64-61 after Garcia made both free throws with five minutes left to play.
Kendall Carruthers’s jump shot gave Toledo a 71-68 lead with 25 seconds left in the game.
Marshall’s Kellione had a chance to tie the game with .07 seconds left, but traveled, giving the Rockets the win.
Noveroske and Mikonowicz led the team in scoring with 16 and 15 points, respectively.
University of Toledo women’s basketball head coach Ginny Boggess celebrates her first win as time expires on the clock during her first home season opener against Marshall.
Coach Ginny Boggess and her UToledo Lady Rockets earn their first win. (TFP Photo/Lori King)
Incumbent Ohio State Representative Josh Williams watches the results for the presidential election during the Lucas County Republican’s watch party. Williams, representing District 44, defeated Dave Blyth.
Bernie Moreno is big local winner of election night
Story and photos by Scott W. Grau
Derek Merrin, candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, left, shakes hands with Tom Waniewski, who is running for Lucas County commissioner.
HOLLAND– Supporters, volunteers, elected officials and candidates gathered at the Lucas County Republican Party election night watch party at the Holland Gardens Banquet Hall on Tuesday night to watch the results of the local, state and national elections.
Derek Merrin, running for U.S. House of Representatives against incumbent Marcy Kaptur, made a late-night appearance but chose not to make a speech to his supporters. Although he was behind in the vote count against Kaptur, the margin of difference was less than 0.05 percent, which automatically triggers a vote recount.
The makeshift stage Merrin would have made either a victory or concession speech from remained empty for the night.
Incumbent Ohio house representative Josh Williams celebrated his victory over challenger Dave Blyth. Throughout the evening, Williams was seen checking his smartphone as the results were being reported. Once it was announced he was the projected winner, his supporters erupted in cheers.
With the news that he retained his seat, his wife, Neaira Williams, promptly planted a kiss on his cheek.
Ohio State Representative Josh Williams thanks his supporters after being announced as the projected winner in his race during the Lucas County Republican Party election night watch party. Williams represents District 44, defeated Dave Blyth.
Neaira Williams gives her husband Josh Williams a celebratory kiss on the cheek after Williams was announced as the projected winner of the Ohio House District 44 race during the Lucas County Republican Party election night watch party.
Candidates for Lucas County commissioner John Rozic and Tom Waniewski were in attendance as they anxiously waited for the results of their races to be reported. Rozic was defeated by incumbent Anita Lopez and Waniewski fell to long-time incumbent Pete Gerken.
A highlight of the evening was when the announcement was made that candidate Bernie Moreno narrowly defeated Sherrod Brown for the U.S. Senate seat.
The atmosphere was upbeat and celebratory as elections results for the presidential race were reported. With each report of projected states won by presidential candidate Donald Trump, cheers and hand clapping rang out throughout the venue. As the number of electoral votes inched closer to the require 270 threshold, the excitement increased.
Derek Merrin, candidate for U.S. House – Ohio District 9, center, talks with Ohio Representative Josh Williams and Lucas County Republican Party executive chairman Barbara Orange during the Lucas County Republican Party election night watch party.
Sue Cuevas, president and CEO of NECCU, assists two members inside her office at the Toledo-based location. Her hands-on approach and dedication to member service exemplify the organization's commitment to its community. (Courtesy Photo/NECCU)
Nueva Esperanza Community Credit Union empowers Latino community
TOLEDO – Located in the heart of Toledo’s south side on Broadway St., Nueva Esperanza Community Credit Union (NECCU) is making cultural history while financially empowering local residents.
As Ohio’s first and only Latino credit union, NECCU has been serving its members since 2010. Under the guidance of president and CEO Sue Cuevas, it has not only grown, it continues to thrive, reflecting the resilience and determination of the community it represents.
Part-time employees work behind the counter inside NECCU, now situated in the lower level of the library at 1638 Broadway St. This unique setting combines history and modern utility. (TFP Photo/Andrew Kersten)
The lobby of NECCU showcases a vibrant array of Latino-inspired décor, creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere that welcomes everyone. (TFP Photo/Andrew Kersten)
Identifying the need
The creation of the federally insured, state-chartered credit union was spurred by a deep-seated need within the Toledo community to address major gaps in financial services, particularly for the Latino population.
“There was a group of Hispanic leaders and business owners who noticed the prevalence of check cashing places and predatory lending targeting the Hispanic community,” Cuevas said. “There was no place where they could go to a financial institution and have someone help them, guide them or instruct them,” she said.
That’s when Cuevas took action. “I wanted to guide them, show them and teach them that it’s not okay to pay unreasonable interest rates just because they don’t have credit,” she explained.
Financial empowerment for the Latino community
Sue Cuevas, president and CEO of NECCU. (Courtesy Photo/NECCU)(Courtesy Photo/NECCU)
For the past 14 years, Cuevas has grown NECCU, which now boasts over 625 members across its Toledo and Columbus locations, with assets approaching $3 million, all while pursuing a mission to promote savings, enhance financial literacy, provide loan capital, and link members with vital community resources.
“Our goal is not just to offer financial products, but to educate and uplift our members,” she added. “We want to instill confidence in our members that they can build their own credit.”
Serving a primarily Latino membership—though everyone is welcome — the credit union offers a comprehensive range of financial services, as well as traditional checking accounts, including savings accounts, loans and reloadable Visa cards.
In fact, the Ending with the Heart program starts members with a $500 credit-building loan to help establish credit after making consecutive on-time payments for 12 months, enabling them to make larger purchases while feeling confident and comfortable.
Cuevas says members have great success with this program. “I’ve seen them start with $500 and come in and ask for an $8,000 to $10,000 personal loan, and they’re going to get it.”
“Yvette Villanueva and her husband, Jose Carlos Padilla have been members for 10 years. Villanueva said, “We have had several loans through NECCU that have not only helped us personally, but also contributed to the success of our small business.”
Villanueva and Padilla take advantage of several offerings from NECCU, including a savings account, personal loans and auto loans for their businesses.
“I do not believe we would have had the growth we’ve had these last five years without the support of Sue and NECCU. What we like most about being a member is the friendly staff and having people that truly understand the struggles that minorities and small businesses face,” she added.
The Challenges and the Future
The Nueva Esperanza Community Credit Union (NECCU) on Broadway St. (TFP Photo/Andrew Kersten)
Cuevas acknowledges that the journey hasn’t been without its challenges; it took nearly seven years before the National Credit Union Administration and the Ohio Department of Financial Institutions authorized NECCU as a start-up.
With a small yet dedicated team of two part-time employees in Toledo and a part-time assistant in Columbus, the credit union staff plays a crucial role in day-to-day operations, and in building trust within the community. Cuevas has managed to juggle multiple roles herself, including being a bank secrecy act officer, a teller and a loan officer, ensuring all quarterly and annual reports are completed.
Looking into the future, Cuevas hopes for expansion in some capacity while making certain that current members and new ones receive the same dedicated service. “Credit unions are about people helping people; it’s our duty to inform and make people aware.”
“Everybody has a way of helping people in the community, and there’s not a right way or wrong way. It’s just how we serve in our communities that makes a lasting impact,” she said.
Neighbor to Neighbor continues kindness, peace initiative amid political conflict
LUCAS COUNTY – Throughout the political season you may have seen the bright green Love your Neighbor signs in front yards around Lucas County. These signs by Neighbor to Neighbor represent kindness and neighborly love, despite conflicting political views.
Neighbor to Neighbor is a non-partisan and nondenominational 2024 election year peace initiative by St. Michael’s in the Hills Episcopal Church. The organizational initiative is promoting Intentional Acts of Kindness Week leading up to the general election, which ends tomorrow.
Neighbor To Neighbor’s next event, “We Are Still Neighbors,” will be at the Enrichment Center of the Glass city Metropark on Sunday, Nov. 17, following the conclusion of the 2024 general election. To sign up, go to We Are Still Neighbors.
Carol Nichols, a member of St. Michael’s and a leader of Neighbor to Neighbor, said regardless of the election turnout, we are still neighbors, and the simple supper event is aimed to bring the community together as acollective.
Alongside the meal, the community will be discussing the future of the Neighbor to Neighbor program in Toledo and brainstorming solutions to community tensions.
“People really are hungry for this kind of thing,” said Nichols. “It has been a bright light for many of us during this very stressful political season.”
Neighbor to Neighbor campaigned Intentional Acts of Kindness Week from Oct. 29 until Nov. 5, but it was ultimately up to the greater Toledo area to commit acts of kindness and share them with the organization on their Facebook or Instagram pages to be featured.
A “Heart Your Neighbor” sign created by Neighbor to Neighbor Toledo is seen at Glass City Metropark. The signs have popped up in yards around the region since the group started distributing them in September. (TFP Photo/Laurie Bertke)
Nichols said Toledo embraced the initiative completely, and even Neighbor to Neighbor helpers and members of the organization’s congregation St. Michael’s are being intentional about promoting acts of kindness.
Nichols said she spearheaded the idea for the initiative in January because she was bothered by the major political divide in the community.
“This political divide has been hammered into our heads for the past 10 years,” she said.“We really wanted to push back against that because we really are just neighbors and we may vote differently, but we want to be able to live together in peace and to recognize and treat each other with kindness and respect.”
Nichols added that it is important to be kind all days of the year, but Neighbor to Neighbor is specifically asking people to be mindful of their treatment of others during this difficult political season because elections tend to cause a divide in communities.
Steve Wipfli, from top left, Sarah Schendel, Ruth Ann Sailstad, Carol Nichols and Rev. Gayle Catinella; and Brent Cousino, left, and David Brooks, attended the Brooks’ appearance on Oct. 8 at the Franciscan Life Center at Lourdes University. The group are involved in the Neighbors to Neighbors campaign. (Courtesy Photo/Lawrence Nichols)
According to the Neighbor to Neighbor website, The City of Toledo, The Village of Ottawa Hills and The University of Toledo have declared Intentional Acts of Kindness Weeks, recognizing the need to increase the focus on kindness.
The initiative was supported by more than 40 donors, including Toledo Lucas County Public Library, Lourdes University, The Village of Ottawa Hills, The Multifaith Council of Northwest Ohio, and others.
Wade Fulkerson, a voterfrom east Toledo who visits the polls regularly, says through his political experiences that it’s important to be kind to others with different political views.
“To me, I believe that we should treat everyone as equals,” said Fulkerson.
Despite having opposing views than some of his family members on the major candidates, he says every vote matters and that he encourages registered voters to go out and cast their ballots on election day.
“It’s our choice to decide who we let in and who we don’t,” he said. “We have a choice and I encourage you to vote even if you don’t like either candidate.”
The “We Are Still neighbors” event, in collaboration with the MultiFaith Council of Northwest Ohio, is a simple supper of pasta, salad, bread and dessert, to be served to the public on a first come, first serve basis.
Caregiver Latonya Crawford and Irene Johnson, an adult day center participant. (Courtesy Photo/Grant Beachy)
AOoA offers tips for aging parent caregivers
TOLEDO – Stephanie spends most afternoons at her dad’s house, cleaning up, organizing his medications and simply spending time with him. Michael picks up his mom’s prescriptions and groceries, while Sarah is taking care of her sister until she recovers from a recent surgery.
Stephanie, Michael and Sarah may be handling very different chores, but they have much in common: All are probably helping out while working full time jobs; they’re going through the emotional stress of caring for a loved one; and they’re often handling most financial responsibilities themselves.
They’re all caregivers, and they’re likely doing all of this without any outside help. There are an estimated 53 million adults (more than 1 in 5 Americans) who are unpaid caregivers to a loved one, according to a 2020 study from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving.
A potential solution would be to hire professional in-home caregivers or use outside facilities. But a long-term trend in the home health industry predicts a significant labor shortage among caregivers and nurses.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1 million new home health and personal care aide jobs will be open by 2031. And despite recent increases in home healthcare workers’ pay, the labor shortages should continue.
Planning in advance
Justin Moor, president/CEO of the Area Office on Aging (AOoA) of Northwestern Ohio, recommends that caregivers contact AOoA when they’re first beginning to assist a loved one (over 60 years old).
Nancy Gerken, left, and her mother Gladys Baker. (Courtesy Photo/Galati Photography)
“Our social workers can visit families as a whole, or individually with the caregiver and the patient,” he said. “In that way, we can assess the current situation, and we’ll be ready to provide services whenever they’re needed.”
Short-term services include adult day care (through centers around the area), caregiver break times through the AmeriCorp Senior Program in your home, providing transportation of all types, among others.
Issue 29 on the Nov. 5 election ballot is a 1.0 mill renewal that would provide $8,148,000 annually to provide or maintain senior citizens services and programs. Many of AOoA’s programs are funded by this measure.
“A temporary break from caregiver services can be critical to well-being,” said Moor. “Caregivers most often forget to take care of themselves. This work is extremely important, but they don’t have to do it alone.”
He compares it to the instructions we all remember from taking a flight – put the mask on yourself before putting it on someone else. In addition to the short-term programs for adults, AOoA provides a range of counseling programs and support groups for caregivers, so they can focus on self-care.
Changing the narrative
According to Moor, caregiving was a very black and white conversation – either family provided it or paid services were called in.
“Here in Lucas County, the Area Office is entering that gray area,” by offering healthcare programs directly to caregivers, to help alleviate the estimated 22 hours per week caregivers provide, he said. AOoA is looking to reach caregivers in three “easy” steps:
#1 – We’re talking to you. “Family members think caregiving has to be on their shoulders, but it doesn’t,” he said. “AOoA can supplement the care you’re providing. We want to be your care partner, because the result is better care for your loved ones.”
#2 – We feel your pain. Moor explained that any level of caregiving comes with stress:
The emotional toll of the changes taking place in your family, concern about your loved one’s illness and uncertainty of the support you can provide
The physical toll of the actual, long-term care of a loved one
The financial toll of handling caregiving out-of-pocket
#3 – We can help. The AOoA provides a full range of programs for caregivers, from offering a temporary break or daycare in the short term, to longterm assistance and support programs.
But Moor says that while “better decisions are made when there’s no emergency, most caregivers come to us later than they should” to arrange for services.
Changing caregiving in the future
AOoA is working through the federal Older Americans Act to offer services, like drop-in day care, exercise, massage, counseling and support groups through some of the region’s 45 senior centers. These programs should be available within the next two years.
In Ohio, Medicaid and the Veterans’ Administration offer programs to pay family members to provide specific care programs to their loved ones. In addition, the AOoA and Lucas County Commission in Toledo, and Principle Business Enterprises in Bowling Green are joining together to survey their employees about caregiver challenges and awareness of available services. That survey and its recommendations should be complete in early 2025.
In the meantime, learn more about caregiver services from AOoA by calling 419.382.0624.
Owls make their presence eerily known in the forest
WHITEHOUSE – As leaves flutter to the ground and late fall takes hold, the canopy opens up and sounds carry better through the woods.
It’s time for owls to rule the light sounds.
Now is when owls make their presence known, perhaps inspired by the shorter days, the inevitable onset of winter, and the priority to claim prime hunting territories. These fascinating creatures of the night seem to enjoy the longer hours of darkness.
Our most common owls are the great-horned, barred and the diminutive screech owl. The screech owl (image above captured at the Blue Creek Metropark) stands only about 8-9 inches tall with a wingspan of about 20 inches. It may be the smallest of our common owls, but its got a loud and eerie tremelo call that can carry a long way through a leafless forest. It can send chills down the spine of anyone who hears it.
A fan celebrates the go-ahead goal for the Walleye in the 2nd period. The Walleye beat the Wheeling Nailers 3-2.
Walleye victorious in front of sold out crowd
Story and photos by Kyle Brown
TOLEDO – Skates hitting the ice is a sound to be heard and celebrated. Add cowbells, loud chants and a goal horn, and you’ll find yourself in the makings of a good night.
That’s exactly what fans got when they attended the season opener for the Toledo Walleye hockey club this past weekend. “Let’s go Walleye!” chants flooded the streets and inside the Huntington Center as fans arrived for the game against the Wheeling Nailers. The Walleye won Friday night’s game 3-2.
Forward Josh Nodler (12), a former BG Falcon, raises his arms in celebration of a goal during the Toledo Walleye home opener Friday night.
Fans were able to get the party started Friday night at Hensville, where a free pre-party kicked off at 4 p.m. Fleetwood’s Tap Room had pregame food and drinks, an inflatable Spike Tunnel and an outdoor hockey rink.
I came across a group of rabid fans many Walleye fans have come to appreciate. The Walleye Mania is a group of men who’ve been going to games dressed as characters since 2019. One of the characters stated, “It’s a lot of fun. When you are a normal person, you stand out and get a little shy. Put a mask on, and it takes away your embarrassment.
Member of the Walleye Mania – Carolina Reaper, Lure, Bait, Tackle and Jig – hang out at Hensville during the pre-game activities.
The entrance to Hensville’s pre-game celebration for Opening Night.
“We’ve been fans since the Storm days,” one of them said. When asked about the expectations Toledo may have getting into the playoffs, the group replied in unison, “The Kelly Cup! We want that cup! We are always the bride’s maid, never the bride.”
If you see these characters roaming the streets before or at a game, go say hi. They are just as much a part of the fan experience as everything else. The group even donates their time in the summer for the Andrew Gulch Memorial Golf Outing, an event to raise money and awareness for Muscular Dystrophy. Walleye players, past and present, help out and play in the outing.
When 6 p.m. rolled around Friday, fans began making their way to the entrance gates of the Huntington Center.
Upon walking around, I found my way to the Voorhees family, out of Republic, Ohio. Melissa and Jason Voorhees explained how they became fans, stating, “We became fans right before covid, so four or five years … just to get out of the house and try new experiences … and we got hooked.”
One of the things the Walleye do very well is their promotions. The staff finds ways each year to make it bigger and better. Melissa Voorhees commented that she’d “really like to catch a teddy bear during toss night.”
Republic, Ohio residents Jensen Voorhees, from left, Colt Stockmaster, Jason Voorhees and Melissa Voorhees are a few of the first fans to arrive for the home opener. Each fan received a light-up rally towel.
I turned my attention to two kids sitting with them, Jensen Voorhees and Colt Stockmaster. When asked who their favorite players were, they admitted that “they are all gone now, except for Hawk (Brandon Hawkins).”
Fans had to watch opponent Wheeling score two goals before the Walleye struck back and scored on the power play. In response to the power play goal, fans received a free promotion of a Wendy’s Chili.
During an email interview, Troy Hammersmith, director of Events & Fan Entertainment for the Toledo Walleye, said he and his staff start thinking about promotions, like the chili giveaway, ahead of each season.
“The planning process for a new season really begins before the current season ends. We start reviewing how certain themed promotions performed, and begin putting a survey together for fans in spring,” he explained.
When asked how Toledo fans support the team and how the success of fan turnout is for each game, Hammersmith stated, “Toledo has the best fanbase of the ECHL and much of minor league sports. That is something we do not take for granted,” Hammersmith said.
Walleye fans wave their white rally towels to the tune of hype music during the 2nd period of the game against the Wheeling Nailers.
“We are always looking for ways to engage with our fans. Last season, we introduced new in-game elements, like our large cowbell and our large Our Fish, Our Fight banners that fans hold up in the goal zones. This season we are introducing some new technology that allows fans to use their phones to share selfies on the video board and be a part of a pregame light show.”
Staying relevant and researching themes can be an uphill battle. What may be popular today may be obsolete tomorrow.
“Our team follows what other teams in hockey and other sports are doing, as well as with other entertainment venues,” Hammersmith said. “We visit other venues when we can and attend industry conferences. Research is an important part of our decision-making process. We survey fans regularly to gauge their interest and satisfaction in various game elements. We also invest in third-party market research tools to help guide us.”
The Walleye can rest assured they are doing a great job on that, as Friday night was the 35th consecutive home sellout. Fans are coming out to support the hockey club, not only for the team playing, but for the entire fan experience that the Huntington Center provides.
Fans are encouraged to reach out to the Walleye to help voice your opinion on what can be made better. Surveys are sent out throughout the season, as well as the option to talk in person to Walleye staff around the venue during game days.
