NBA D-League  |  Erie BayHawks  |  

     I have been with the Erie BayHawks organization since a day before the team's inception on Tuesday, March 18, 2009. That was less than two years ago and I can't believe how far we've come since then. Since that day, dozens of people have helped mold the BayHawks into who we are today. It started with NBA consultants and members of the Cleveland Cavaliers ticket staff. Since then, we've had two Team Presidents, four directors and numerous salespeople and interns. Every one of these people has stamped their fingerprint on the BayHawks in some way, shape or form.

     Many of the principles that were instituted by the BayHawks Founding President Ron Sertz are still carried on today by Matt Bresee. We still use sales strategies that were planted on St. Patrick's Day 2008 in preparation for the launch of "NBA Erie" at the Bayfront Convention Center on the shores of Lake Erie and those implemented by our first Director of Ticket Sales, Brett Zalaski. There still exist many relationships that were started between BayHawks supporters and now former salespeople. Interns past and present have done so many invaluable tasks on game nights and in preparation for games.

      Now, one month away from season two, we work long hours in preparation for December 12 and beyond, knowing the reward for our hard work began coming to fruition with last Thursday's draft and our pick of Donell Taylor. We anxiously get ready for the coming season by promoting our ticket packages and sponsorships and preparing to make your BayHawks game-night experience the best it can be. It's going to be a great winter and we look forward to seeing you down at Tullio Arena!

I am patiently waiting on the start of the upcoming season. I am currently finishing up my internship with my NBA Development League team the Erie Bayhawks. I've been learning how the front office operates behind the scenes. I've learned about the business aspects of selling tickets, getting sponsorships and making new partnerships with different organizations.

I have continued giving back to the community by doing the Read to Achieve presentations to local elementary school kids, stressing the importance of education; signing autographs and making appearances at events ranging from Zoo Boo, The YMCA After School Rally, the United Way Campaign kickoff event and  John Kanzius Cancer Foundation telethon.

            While learning a lot about the business side of basketball, I've also had the opportunity to work out and scrimmage with the Cleveland Cavaliers for most of September.

            It was a very memorable experience. I had the chance to prove to the Cavaliers coaching staff, players, and to myself that I can play at the NBA level. I had the opportunity to compete against the league MVP LeBron James and NBA All Star and fellow Mississippian Mo Williams. As the weeks went by I was hoping I would get the opportunity to see Shaq in person, But I got more than I asked for because I had to guard one of the greatest centers of all time. I was impressed at how small he made even Big Z look.

            I think this was the perfect situation for me to be a part of the apprenticeship. I had the best of both worlds by getting the chance of a lifetime working out with the Cav's and learning the business side of a basketball organization.

But with fall officially upon us now, it’s a sign that basketball season is just around the corner, and since the end of last season our staff has been intensely preparing for our second season that that begins November 26 (the day after Thanksgiving).  

I’m sometimes asked if our staff works year-round or what we do during the “slow” time of year.  Not only do we work 12 months out of the year, but often we find ourselves busier (to an extent) at this time of year as we prepare for the coming season.  

From arranging team travel, accommodations and practices, to generating new promotions, establishing corporate partnerships and selling ticket packages, the off-season is full of activity (and this short list certainly doesn’t do justice to the countless tasks our staff does).

With the recent release of our 2009-10 schedule we are excited about the fresh start a new season brings.  Some things are certain – you will see some new faces on the roster (we just don’t know exactly how many), we have a greater variety of ticket options (new tickets, and tickets on Wednesdays), we’re rolling out some new promotions (“One Buck Wednesday’s”), you will continue to experience great entertainment (dance team and Clutch), and we will all again bear witness to some of the best basketball talent in the world, second only to the NBA.  
 
It truly is a lot to be excited about, but I’d love to hear from you.  What else can we do to make season two a special one?  Have ideas, thoughts or feedback?  E-mail me at matt.bresee@nbaerie.com.  

Just as my family and I enjoyed so much of what Erie has to offer in the summer, it is my hope that BayHawks games quickly become a tradition that you and your family look forward to enjoying in late fall and winter.       

As a franchise still in its infancy we are constantly in the mode of improving the way we do business, so while I can promise you that year-two will be bigger and better, I can’t help also think about how great year three, four and beyond will be!  So give us your thoughts.

Matt Bresee
President