Rayo OKC

[OkiePoke]

If it's illegal, then how have the Energy been doing it since last year?

Yukon vs OKC? That's my guess.

[jerrywall]

I can't find anything in the state statutes which forbids this (although most school districts have a strict no alcohol policy on school grounds).

[Tydude]

I can't find anything in the state statutes which forbids this (although most school districts have a strict no alcohol policy on school grounds).

when Energy FC played its first year at McGuinness they were not allowed to sell any alcohol on the school property.

[bradh]

Well, it is a public school. What will people want next... beer while tailgating at high school football games?

You think that's not being done already?

[jerrywall]

when Energy FC played its first year at McGuinness they were not allowed to sell any alcohol on the school property.

That was school policy I believe.

[jerrywall]

You think that's not being done already?

Not legally.

[Jersey Boss]

You think that's not being done already?

[Laramie]

Hope they can make an exception since this is not a school sponsored or Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) event.

[Bob Loblaw]

That begs the question then, WHOSE opinion was behind this?

From the El Reno newspaper article
"state law prohibits the sale of beer on high school properties"

WHOSE opinion was behind this, you ask? Talk to your local state legislator

[jerrywall]

But they sell at Taft..

[Bob Loblaw]

If it's illegal, then how have the Energy been doing it since last year?

From the El Reno newspaper article
"state law prohibits the sale of beer on high school properties"

Easy answer: Taft Stadium is not a "high school property".

It is an OKCPS property, but not a high school property.

[Bob Loblaw]

Hope they can make an exception since this is not a school sponsored or Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) event.

I would like for the state legislature to make many exceptions to their current laws. I suggest starting with cold high point beer.

Don't hold your breath.

[d-usa]

Final attendance for the opening game ended up pretty good.

The big challenge for this season for Rayo will be the ability to convert the people that attended for free into paying supporters by the end of the year. It's nice to be filled to capacity, but it doesn't automatically equate to fans if they are there because you were giving these seats away to a large portion of the crowd.

Free tickets get casual butts in the seats, at least during this part of the year when there are fever competing sporting events. And it is a legitimate strategy during the first game of the first season of a brand new club with no history or established fan base. (I have no idea how many people were sitting at the first Energy game holding free tickets).

But now it is up to Rayo to present an experience and team that will convince these families that they should pay for these free tickets in the future. That's the challenge for every sports team in every league.

[Bellaboo]

From the El Reno newspaper article
"state law prohibits the sale of beer on high school properties"

Easy answer: Taft Stadium is not a "high school property".

It is an OKCPS property, but not a high school property.

NW Classen plays soccer and football there ? I believe John Marshall also, at least they used too.

[Bob Loblaw]

NW Classen plays soccer and football there ? I believe John Marshall also, at least they used too.

Edmond schools play their football games at Wantland Stadium on the UCO campus. Does that transform a college property into a "high school property"?

How difficult is this concept to understand? Miller Stadium is on the grounds of YHS. Taft Stadium is not on the grounds of any OKCPS high school.

[jerrywall]

Edmond schools play their football games at Wantland Stadium on the UCO campus. Does that transform a college property into a "high school property"?

How difficult is this concept to understand? Miller Stadium is on the grounds of YHS. Taft Stadium is not on the grounds of any OKCPS high school.

If this distinction is accurate, and the reason, it's a silly one. Don't get me wrong. Personally, I don't like the idea of alcohol being served at high school facilities in general. But to allow Taft and not Miller is a dubious distinction.

[Bob Loblaw]

If this distinction is accurate, and the reason, it's a silly one. Don't get me wrong. Personally, I don't like the idea of alcohol being served at high school facilities in general. But to allow Taft and not Miller is a dubious distinction.

Not going to disagree with you.

Unfortunately for Rayo OKC and Canadian County law enforcement officials, they're having to play cards with a deck provided by the folks at the State Capitol, ground zero for silly, illogical and nonsensical decisions.

[d-usa]

If this distinction is accurate, and the reason, it's a silly one. Don't get me wrong. Personally, I don't like the idea of alcohol being served at high school facilities in general. But to allow Taft and not Miller is a dubious distinction.

It does make you wonder if both ownership groups were aware of the special status of Taft Stadium in relationship to laws regulating alcohol sales, and if that contributed to the fight about which ownership group would ultimately get the lease to Taft Stadium.

[Tydude]

https://twitter.com/stevensandor/sta...80925753348096
stevensandor: Been told that the condition of the field in OKC was poor. #FCEd players said they found nails on turf during warm-up.

[Bellaboo]

https://twitter.com/stevensandor/sta...80925753348096
stevensandor: Been told that the condition of the field in OKC was poor. #FCEd players said they found nails on turf during warm-up.

I wouldn't call that poor turf, I'd call that poor cleanup after installation.

[Snowman]

https://twitter.com/stevensandor/sta...80925753348096
stevensandor: Been told that the condition of the field in OKC was poor. #FCEd players said they found nails on turf during warm-up.

If you read the article referenced there was only one nail and no mention of where it was, so possibly off to the side due to other work. Sure it should not happen but all fields need to be checked for foreign objects, especially after construction or a lot of new equipment is unpackaged. After that it sounded like the player they talked to just does not like the concept of that style of temporary field, and was not going to be happy with it regardless.

[borchard]

from the el reno newspaper article
"state law prohibits the sale of beer on high school properties"

easy answer: Taft stadium is not a "high school property".

It is an okcps property, but not a high school property.

what?!?!

[borchard]

It does make you wonder if both ownership groups were aware of the special status of Taft Stadium in relationship to laws regulating alcohol sales, and if that contributed to the fight about which ownership group would ultimately get the lease to Taft Stadium.

There was no FIGHT over the lease. Tim McLaughlin and OKCFC WON the lease over Bob Funk and Prodigal.
Tim McLaughlin told the other partners of OKCFC that he "wanted out of soccer". So they let him out, and went about separating assets.
It was understood that the lease was an asset of OKCFC, since the lease was won in the name of the team. I have heard that lawyers on both sides agreed to this.
However, even up to the MINUTE that the press release went out saying that McLaughlin had joined Bob Funk the OKCFC team though they were getting the lease.
Same thing with the office which the Energy now occupy. OKCFC had signified to the owner of the building the intent to rent the space. After the McLaughlin fallout one of the other OKCFC owners called the building owner to let them know they still had plans to rent the building.
The owner was confused, and told this person he already had a lease that had been signed two weeks earlier?
"By who?"
"Let me see." (shuffle...shuffle...) "Here it is, Robert Funk Jr."
I was even sitting at Skinny Slims one night and an Energy coach sat at the same table with two rookie players. I listened to his conversation, as he regaled them, laughing about how the Energy had "stole" both the stadium and their offices from "the other team" Yuck! Yuck! Yuck!!!

[Urbanized]

what?!?!

I believe that the property is technically separate from Taft Middle School. But even if not, if someone wanted to get downright loophole-y about it, Taft is a MIDDLE school. NW Classen is across the street and down a bit.

[borchard]

Well, back to what REALLY matters :-)