NAJHL Hockey League Essay, Research Paper

The Springfield Statesmen Hockey Organization will play in the North American

Junior Hockey League (NAJHL). The NAJHL is a Division A junior hockey league,

which is the highest level of junior hockey, consisting of eight teams located

in the Great Lakes Region of the United States. The league is comprised

predominantly of players 16 -20 years old. Each team in the league plays a

twenty- game schedule. In addition, league members play in a mid-season all-star

game and in a league tournament that culminates the season by declaring a league

champion. The team will play its home games in the Ice Palace, leased from the

City of Springfield. The Ice Palace has a maximum capacity of 3,000 people. It

includes four locker rooms, eight restroom facilities, an arcade room, an

athletic training facility, a weight room, and a large room available for

private functions. Description of the Community The City of Springfield, which

hosts the team, has a population of 110,000; plus an additional 559,000 within a

60-mile radius. The largest age group for both men and women is 35-44. The

city’s government is a municipality with a mayor and 10 aldermen that represent

an area of the city. Springfield is the state capital of Illinois and therefore

houses many of the state’s agencies. Its economic base depends upon state and

federal agencies, three major hospitals, three colleges, and two state

universities (University of Illinois at Springfield and Southern Illinois

University School of Medicine). The cost of living in Springfield has an index

of 97.4; the national average is an index of 100. Thirty-five percent of the

households in Springfield earn between $25,000 and $49,000. The three main

industries providing employment are the public sector, services, and retail

trade. Springfield has an unemployment rate of 5.4%. Thirty-three percent of

Springfieldians have a high school diploma and fourteen percent have a

bachelor’s degree. Springfield has 36 public schools and 29 non-public schools

employing over 2,600 teachers. The YMCA, YWCA, Boys and Girls Club of America,

and the Springfield Rotary Club offer social service to the community.

Springfield offers 6 museums (including the Illinois State Museum), two zoos, a

minor league baseball team, and numerous state and national historic sites.

Parks offered include seven parks in the Springfield Park District, a wildlife

sanctuary, botanical gardens, and Lincoln’s New Salem State Park. The Illinois

Symphony Orchestra, Springfield Chamber Orchestra, Springfield Muni Opera, and

Springfield Theatre Center house the city’s performing arts. Natural resources

of the area include Lake Springfield and the Sangamon River. Numerous highways

and Interstates 55 and 72 allow for travel in and out of the city. Capital

Airport provides air service to the community with service provided by American

Eagle, Great Lakes, United Express, and Trans World Express. Five trunkline

railroads serve Sangamon County and Amtrak provides passenger service.

Intra-city bus service is available via the Springfield Mass Transit District,

and Greyhound provides interstate bus service (Greater Springfield Chamber of

Commerce, 1999). Target Population The athletic services provided by the

Springfield Statesmen Hockey Organization (SSHO) serves primarily 16-20 year old

hockey players seeking an opportunity to eventually play for a major college or

professional hockey team. Players will be recruited and drafted from national

and international midget (a younger group of players) leagues, with players

coming from as far away as Europe and Russia to play. Due to the expenses to

play the sport most players come from upper-middle and upper class families. The

entertainment services provided by the team serves an audience of all ages.

Working class families provide the largest audience base. Special seating will

be provided for families as well as group ticket pricing. A private room is

available for larger parties. The facility is handicapped accessible, and

smoking is prohibited in the arena. Financing The SSHO is financed primarily by

player fees (players must pay $5,000 each to play in the league), ticket sales,

and advertising sales. Additional funding will come from concession sales, team

merchandise sales, booster club fundraisers, and team fundraisers (the Summer

Golf Outing with the team and a Silent Auction of team memorabilia). Legal Basis

for Service The SSHO is a for-profit corporation, incorporated in the State of

Illinois and registered with the Federal Government as a for-profit corporation.

Annually, the major shareholders for the team file taxes with the Illinois

Department of Revenue and the Internal Revenue Service. PURPOSE STATEMENT

SPRINGFIELD STATESMEN HOCKEY ORGANIZATION The primary purpose of the SSHO is to

enhance the development of its players through top-quality coaching, extensive

practice time, and a rigorous game schedule. The Organization is committed to

providing these developmental opportunities in conjunction with a commitment to

academic support, as the Organization’s schedule is designed around weekend

travel to minimize school conflicts. VISION STATEMENT SPRINGFIELD STATESMEN

HOCKEY ORGANIZATION Springfield Statesmen Hockey is one of the premier junior

hockey organizations in the country. The Organization is committed to putting a

winning team on the ice by developing a team of extremely talented players.

League competition helps players make the transition from midget and high school

hockey to college and professional hockey by creating an environment that is

highly competitive, encourages skill development, and provides time for personal

growth and maturity. Springfield Statesmen Hockey is the coolest game in town!

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART DESCRIPTION The organizational chart (See Appendix A) of

the SSHO follows the classical bureaucratic chart, where authority and

responsibility flows from top to bottom. The major partners (shareholders) are

at the top of the chart. A Board of Directors reports to the shareholders and is

assisted by a legal counsel and external auditor. The Board is responsible for

the hiring of the Chief Executive Officer who oversees the General Manager and

Business Manager. The General Manager (GM) also serves as head coach, and is

assisted by the Assistant Coach in making team policies and conducting the

on-ice business. The head and assistant coach are also responsible for the

hiring of the medical staff and for providing scouting, player development, and

strength and conditioning training. The medical staff consists of a sports

physician, a certified athletic trainer, and a team chiropractor; all of who

work in conjunction with each other (linking pin format). The head athletic

trainer is responsible for the hiring of a qualified assistant athletic trainer

(who may not be paid). The Business Manager is responsible for the hiring of the

Office Manager and the other various business departments of the organization:

marketing and community relations; ticket operations and sales; finance;

merchandise sales (the latter three are in a locking pin format); rink

operations; and media and public relations (PR). The Office Manager oversees the

Organization’s clerical staff. The head of rink operations is in charge of

hiring a public address (PA) announcer, security officers, ice maintenance crew,

concession employees, and parking staff. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED SERVICES The

primary service provided by the SSHO is a means for advancement in competitive

hockey. Our players receive quality coaching and ample opportunity to be

scouted. The team is located in the heart of Midwestern collegiate hockey,

making all league games and tournaments easily accessible by college recruiters

and professional scouts. National Hockey League (NHL) teams, NHL Central

Scouting, and all levels of major college and junior hockey consistently scout

league games. In addition, the NAJHL takes an active role in promoting its

players by distributing monthly progress reports to NHL Central Scouting and all

major college programs. The team also publishes a media guide, is covered by a

number of local news services, and has all of its away games broadcasted on

radio. Being a part of the Springfield Statesmen Hockey Organization will

provide all of its players with the opportunity to compete against some of North

America’s best hockey players, and enjoy the benefits of the visibility that

goes along with it.

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