M4 Sunday, June 26, 2016 | The Repository | CantonRep.
com
Hall of Fame Village
Could Charge relocate to Village?
By Alison Matas We think that that would It doesnt work well for other of both the Charge and the
Repository staff writer be a great place for them to types of events and so forth Cavaliers, managing events at
play, Baker said. that you want to attract to the village. His Detroit-based
In a few years, the Canton The Charge is housed at these types of civic centers. company Rock Ventures deals
Charge could be playing at the Canton Memorial Civic Len Komoroski, Cavaliers with economic development,
Hall of Fame Village instead Center, which opened in and Quicken Loans Arena real estate development, mar-
of downtown Canton at 1951.The Civic Center seats CEO, ina statement emailed keting and communications.
Memorial Civic Center. up to 5,200 people and hosts via a spokeswoman, called Baker said he has spoken
Pro Football Hall of Fame about 125 events a year, Hall of Fame Village devel- with Gilbert about the pos-
President and David Baker including Canton Charge opment dynamic and very sibility and is interested in
said he has had conversa- games. exciting. connecting people who want
tions with officials from the Mayor Thomas M. Berna- We hope very much to be to promote economic devel-
Cleveland Cavaliers the bei, who said hes aware the a part of it, the statement opment and possibly creating
NBA affiliate for the Charge Charge have some interest read. a corridor that stretches from
about a possible move. in moving to Hall of Fame Relocating the NBA devel- Canton, Akron and Cleveland
The Center for Excellence Village, said city officials opment league team isnt to Michigan.
planned for the village, which continue to look at the future the only talk of involving the Requests for comment REPOSITORY FILE
is expected to break ground of the Civic Center. Charge and Cavaliers in Hall about the potential part- n Shane Edwards of the Canton Charge is introduced prior to a game
later this year and open in the It is old, he said. I think of Fame Village. nership made to Gilberts with the Sioux Falls Skyforce at Canton Memorial Civic Center. Pro
spring of 2018, is designed to that it probably works well Other ideas include Dan companies werent returned. Football Hall of Fame officials have had conversations about the Canton
include a 6,000-seat arena. for an entity like the Charge. Gilbert, the majority owner Charge leaving the downtown Civic Center for Hall of Fame Village.
VERAS game of football. Its won- the level with which they of the early experience with incredible and inspirational
Q. How did your background in
derful. How the Hall treats all want to give back is so high, music and television production Namath. and innovating job, you never
From Page M3 the guests that come through, that it makes the Hall a great prepare you for your current job? Q. What are your hobbies outside seem to be tired to do other
its gonna be better than ever place for everybody who A. I traveled around the of the job? things if you have the oppor-
To have a guy of Georges before. Its a great place and a comes through the door. world with Yanni. I produced A. I took up golf when I tunity to do them.
experience, incredible talent great time to be here, and Im But to maintain that, youve all these concerts and put him moved back to Cleveland in Q. How has your family supported
and enormous drive, I hope privileged to be a part of it. got to keep it at that level of on television. I directed the 2005. I find it an incredible and helped you in your position?
he works at the Hall forever. Veras sat down recently excellence. first Doo Wop 50 show and thinking and walking sport. A. They love it. Whats not
He is that kind of guy. and discussed his prodigious Q. Whats your favorite aspect of the 60s Pop Rock Reunion. I play it in an unusual way. to love? Theyll all be here
Veras is an integral part career, along with his love for the job? What you learn is how to deal Im out on the course at 6:15 at enshrinement. My wifes
of the Hall of Fame Village his family, job and football. A. Theres too many to with artists and their produc- in the morning. I walk 18 been here the last five years.
plan. His experience was Q. Whats a day to day like for name. (Fellow executive tion team. Knowing what and play in two hours. Men- Were gonna try to round up
instrumental in booking the you? vice president museums, their needs are was hugely tally, I never liked it before. and get all the kids to come
Concert for Legends last A. I wear these three hats, selection process and chief helpful in transitioning them I wasnt a country club guy. this time around. My wifes
year with rock stars Aeros- so all the days are different. communications officer) Joe into here. Its really about My dad was a good golfer, a huge football fan. She went
mith, this year with country But having had the chance Horrigan and I were ball- understanding the client and he played at West- to Ohio State, and she worked
superstar Tim McGraw and to produce seven Olympics, boys together in the same and getting ahead of it. Its chester Country Club and for the Yankees and shes a
hes excited to see the com- when you produce an Olym- era. He sits next to me as the a comfort to the guys that tried to get me involved and huge sports fan. My kids are
plete vision of the project pics, you are there 24 hours greatest football historian are coming in whether its interested. I play on a public older. My one son is a sopho-
come to fruition. a day. Youre up at 5:30 in in the world with a pas- Aerosmith or Tim McGraw course around the corner more at John Carroll. He has a
This is only the tip of the the morning and you go to sion that has put together or anyone else. from where I live in Brecks- summer job. One of my sons
iceberg, Veras said. I know bed at 2:30 in the morning, a Hall of Fame selection Q. I know youve lived in both ville. Ive played in Canton graduated from Michigan and
its hard to envision, and we and yet you dont feel tired. process that is the epitome New York and Cleveland, so do you at Tam O Shanter. I like just finished his first year of
dont like to get out in front I can tell you that with the of excellence. With (senior have a favorite NFL team? public courses. I like the reg- law school at Ohio State.
of it, but the opportunity here Hall of Fame Village, its vice president of merchan- A. Its so fractured that I ular guys. I also have a great My other son stayed back in
with the 100th NFL season like an Olympics everyday. dise sales/licensing) Steve dont have one. I grew up in family who I love to spend New York, and hes married
coming up, the facilities Its incredibly invigorating Strawbridge, I talk to him Detroit as a kid and moved to time with. My wife is on the to a wonderful gal. Theyre
were going to have to do so to do multiple things and about his expertise in mer- Cleveland in high school, but city council in Brecksville, diehard Jets fans. And then
many things to help so many multitask. Its a huge team chandise. Its a multiplicity. then I became a die-hard Jets and were involved in the my older son has his Ph.D.
people, its an incredible effort from everyone in I will also say having David AFL guy. Then I was brought community. Im a member of in astronomy and lives in
opportunity for all of us here every department, and when Baker here is an incredible back to Cleveland later by the Greek Orthodox Church England. Hes flying over for
in this area. you get everybody together blessing. Hes an incredible the Browns. I know every- and have been involved for enshrinement. They all love
Ive always loved the on that team, theres nothing leader. Hes kind, intelli- body likes to stick their stake many, many years. I also football.
people of Canton, and Im more invigorating. Ive told gent, passionate, and its in the ground, so I would really enjoy traveling with Reach B.J. at 330-580-8314
amazed at the depth of pas- the people here that their just a love to be around him say if push came to shove, my wife. As long as youre or bj.lisko@cantonrep.com.
sion these people have for the pride in what they do and every day. it would be the Jets because healthy and you have an On Twitter: @BLiskoREP
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