Long Island’s Arena Football Revival: The New York Dragons
Uniondale, NY — Long Island is once again home to arena football, and the new team is a nostalgic throwback to its past. The New York Dragons, a part of the Entertainment Football Association (EFA), will make their debut in June.
A Rich History
The lineage to the original Dragons and today’s franchise is not lost on General Manager Peter Schwartz, a veteran sports anchor and writer. “We felt that if the Dragons name was available, and people wanted that name back, then that’s what we were going to go with,” Schwartz shared in an interview. “Obviously, the name is nostalgic here on Long Island.”
The Dragons’ first version played at the Nassau Coliseum from 2001-2008 in the Arena Football League. They made the playoffs five times and won the division championship three times. “We had a very good fanbase,” Schwartz recalled.
A New Beginning
Dragons’ fans will once again head to the Coliseum for home games. Schwartz, who worked as an announcer for the original franchise, got the executive position after the Dragons were introduced to the media in January. He started as a consultant to organize the event.
“We had almost a 100 people at that press conference,” Schwartz said. “About five minutes after the press conference was over, the owner and the league advisor… offered me the job as general manager.”
Excitement Builds
The Dragons’ home opener is on Saturday, June 14 against the New Jersey Ciphers. Fans are eagerly anticipating the return of arena football to Long Island.
Impact on Local Community
The return of the New York Dragons will have a significant impact on the local community. With the team’s rich history and dedicated fanbase, attendance at games is expected to be high. This will not only generate revenue for the team but also boost the local economy, particularly in the areas surrounding the Nassau Coliseum.
Global Arena Football Scene
The revival of the New York Dragons is also likely to contribute to the growth of arena football on a global scale. The EFA is an international league, and the success of the New York Dragons could inspire the formation of new teams and the expansion of existing ones in various parts of the world.
Conclusion
Long Island is once again home to arena football, and the New York Dragons are poised to make a splash in the Entertainment Football Association. With a rich history, dedicated fanbase, and a strong leadership team, the Dragons are sure to bring excitement back to the Nassau Coliseum. The impact on the local community and the global arena football scene is expected to be significant.
- Long Island’s arena football scene is revived with the New York Dragons
- The team is a nostalgic throwback to the original Dragons (2001-2008)
- General Manager Peter Schwartz, a veteran sports anchor and writer, is leading the team
- The Dragons’ home opener is on June 14 against the New Jersey Ciphers
- The team’s return will have a significant impact on the local community and the global arena football scene
