Tech Hockey Coach says Sport is in Trouble
By: Lisa Carr
Updated: December 10, 2008
Back in September, the Tech Hockey Club signed a new contract with the city agreeing to pay $10,890 in rent for the coliseum on December 1st. By not paying that money on time, or during the week extension period, the team violated the contract, and Mayor Tom Martin says the city was left no choice, but to cancel the deal. Tech Hockey Coach Paul Fioroni says he knows the city has every right to end the relationship, but his program is a non-profit organization that operates on donations and sponsorships so, the bad economy is hitting them hard.
Fioroni says, "The financial duress we're in right now I mean, I know that's hurting some of our bigger sponsors that have promised to send money to us. All I can ask the city is that I know they've somewhat made some decisions, but please be patient with us." Mayor Martin says they've already bent over backward to help out the team out. He says, "We had a new contract with very favorable terms to the club, We delayed the first two months payments to give them a chance to ge their finances in order and they haven't been able to do it so, at this point, I don't see any way that that could be renegotiated."
Coach Fioroni says his plan is to have the entire season's rent by Saturday, which is $56,000. He says if the money doesn't come together by this weekend, they will most likely give up and close up shop.
