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Wizards’ decision to change starting time of Saturday’s game didn’t come lightly
By BOB LUDERThe Kansas City Star
There were many factors to consider, from travel schedules to TV availabilities. During the last three days, the Wizards, who will take on the Colorado Rapids on Saturday at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, have been through them all.
“I’m not going to say it was a difficult decision,” said Wizards senior vice president Greg Cotton during a news conference Thursday at the club’s Swope Park training facility. “At the end of the day (Tuesday), the owners came together with the staff. I think the owners made a thoughtful decision, one that certainly wasn’t made lightly, but in the end best serves fans of the Wizards and Kansas basketball fans.”
While Cotton said the vast majority of reaction to the decision, which moved up by three hours the original 7 p.m. start (the Kansas-North Carolina NCAA semifinal is scheduled to tip off at 7:47), was positive, it wasn’t unanimously in favor.
“We’ve had a lot of passionate debate,” Cotton said. “Some think it was a poor decision, some thought it was the right decision.
“We’ll have to live with it.”
The crux of the dissent, Cotton said, rested in the fact that a lot of soccer parents throughout the Kansas City area have kids playing games during afternoon hours. Some already might have had tickets for a 7 p.m. game and now can’t use them.
Not to worry, Cotton said.
“This is a special case, and if anyone can’t make it for whatever reason, we’ll make it right for another date,” he said.
Cotton said moving up kickoff time involved “significant logistical considerations.” The first calls made Tuesday went to coach Curt Onalfo and technical director Peter Vermes to make certain the move would not adversely affect the players as they go for their second victory in two games this season.
“Then, we called Colorado, Metro Sports and Altitude (the Rapids TV network),” Cotton said. “The first time we considered was 2, but that did not work for Altitude. At the end of the day, 4 worked better for all parties.”
The earlier start time appears to be fine with Onalfo and his players. Especially because Saturday afternoon’s forecast calls for sunny skies, light winds and temperatures in the mid-60s, quite a contrast from the blustery lower 40s of opening night last Saturday.
“From my standpoint, I welcome (the time change) with open arms,” Onalfo said. “It’s supposed to be a beautiful day. I think it was a good decision.”
It’s a decision the Wizards hope results in a crowd close to the sellout 10,385 they enjoyed in their 2-0 win over D.C. United. Cotton said about 1,200 more were turned away at the gates last Saturday.
“I’m very happy about it,” said Wizards defender Michael Harrington, who also is a North Carolina alum. “I think more fans will get to our game that way, and then they can all go watch the basketball game.
“This works out for everybody.”
•CONRAD: “I understand (the decision to move the game up). Our owners are huge KU fans, and they own us, so they make the decisions. I don’t really watch college basketball until the end of the game anyway. This is our third Final Four in a row. We’re sort of getting used to this. We’ve won the most college championships in history, so we don’t make a big deal out of it.”
•HARRINGTON: “I’m excited about being able to watch it. I’ll probably meet up with some of the guys after our game and watch it with them.”
•ZAVAGNIN: “The first and foremost thought is our game and getting a result. For our fans and KU fans, I think it’s all good. I’ve been out when KU has games as a neutral observer, and KU fans get a little out of control, so I don’t know if I could take it being out among them watching. If anyone knows of a North Carolina watch party, let me know. I doubt whether there’s one within 500 miles of here.”
•HARTMAN: “After what the Bruins did to the Jayhawks last year, it’s understandable (that the UCLA fans get the raw end of the deal). The primary thing on our minds is our game, obviously. We have a TV inside our locker room, so I might just hang out there after our game. I won’t have a portable TV in goal with me, so Wizards fans don’t have to worry.”
•MYERS: “We’ll TiVo the game. I’ll probably just have my parents keep me updated on my phone with texts.”
•VICTORINE: “It’s tough to miss the UCLA game for sure. Everybody understands why (the game was moved up). It’s so important to people in this town. This way, everybody can see every event … except the UCLA game. I think it makes sense. I always TiVo the games. I’ll probably just hear the score when our game’s over. Focus on our game, then when I’m done, I’m sure someone will tell me the score. Hopefully, we’ll get to see part of it, which will be nice.”