Dale McMann lived in Prince George for 28 years. So, even though he now resides in Surrey, this city can legitimately claim him as one of its own.
McMann is even a member of the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame. He was inducted two years ago for his decades of involvement -- locally, provincially, nationally and internationally -- in the sport of softball.
McMann, a former player himself, spent more than his fair share of weekends coaching young players in both softball and baseball on Prince George diamonds. But he made his true mark as an administrator in softball. He was president of Softball B.C. from 1986 to 1990, president of Softball Canada from 1990 to 2001 and was North American vice-president of the International Softball Federation from 1993 to 2009. His tenure as North American vice-president ended when he stepped up to the position of first vice-president.
Now, McMann has truly ascended to the top of the softball world. A few weeks ago, at meetings in Cartagena, Colombia, he was appointed ISF president.
Doesn't get any more prestigious than that.
McMann -- who called Prince George home from 1978 to 2006 -- takes over the ISF leadership from U.S. resident Don Porter, who retired after more than 25 years at the helm. Porter was elected president way back in 1987.
Interestingly, McMann is now president of an organization that has already enshrined him in its hall of fame. While his duties with the ISF will be many, his most important task will be to continue the fight to get women's softball back into the Summer Olympics. Women's softball made its Olympic debut in 1996 in Atlanta but was voted out in 2005, a motion that took effect for 2012. Softball, along with baseball, is now making a pitch for inclusion in the 2020 Games in Tokyo. Given Japan's love of the two sports, they're a natural fit for reinstatement.
McMann's softball and baseball influence in Prince George continues to be felt today. It's represented by the number of local youngsters he coached, and by the fact that many of those "kids" now have children of their own playing one sport or the other. In fostering a love of softball and baseball, McMann left a true legacy behind.
Knowing McMann, he'll swing for the fences as he tries to convince the International Olympic Committee that softball does indeed deserve a place in the Games.
P.G. not the only WHL market with attendance issues
So far this season, announced average attendance at Prince George Cougars home games is 1,612 -- the lowest number in the 22-team Western Hockey League.
But, guess which other market is struggling these days?
Victoria, which was home to the Cougars from 1971-72 to 1993-94.
Victoria is now the base of the Royals. They play at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, a building that has seats for 7,006 paying customers. But, through 13 home games, the Royals are averaging just 4,086 fans per contest. The numbers, as reported in the Victoria Times Colonist by Cleve Dheensaw, place Victoria 10th in the WHL in average attendance. According to Dheensaw, that's down from eighth-best in 2012-13 (5,189) and seventh-best in 2011-12 (5,660). The 2011-12 season was, of course, Victoria's first back in the league after a 17-year absence.
Why did the original Rick Brodsky-owned Cougars leave Victoria and head north in the first place? Hockey fans in P.G. know the answer all too well -- declining attendance numbers.
This appears to be a case of what's old is new again. Dave Dakers, president of sports and entertainment for the Royals' ownership group, prefers to blame the team's schedule for the ocean of empty seats. Too many home games early in the season, Dakers says.
"We have so many issues around our schedule this season that have been tricky to navigate," he told the Times Colonist. "We try to avoid [too many early-season home games] but it happened to us this season. We've had about 50 per cent more home games over the first six weeks than we did last season. It's an unfortunate scenario. But things will definitely pick up."
Maybe they will, maybe they won't.
The only certain thing is that the WHL doesn't want a Victoria franchise to fail yet again.
