Westchester Packers: Team History
Monday, June 23Brief article on the history of the Packers
Packers History
Billy Sullivan founded the Westchester Packers Minor League Football Team over 40 years ago. Then about 35 years ago, Coach George Davis came over from the Defunct NYC Rams to become the defensive coordinator. When Billy retired in 1986, George took over as owner/head coach, thus starting a run where George has been the face of the franchise for roughly the next 20 years or so. However, in 2004, citing a lack of sponsorship and front-office assistance, George allowed the Packers to go on hiatus. The hiatus lasted until 2007 when former player Mike Elia re-vitalized the franchise by becoming the new owner. Strengthen by the return of many old-school Packers, including George as the head coach, the team returned to its championship form with a perfect season bringing in its sixth league championship and its longest winning streak since the Packers ran off an incredible 35 straight back in the late seventies to early eighties.
Organizational Structure
The current make-up of the Westchester Packers franchise more closely resembles a major sport franchise than ever before. Management currently has several individuals fulfilling well-defined roles and bringing different talent and expertise to the back-office (Including venue management, marketing, media coordination, and community outreach). Meanwhile, the Packers still boast one of the league’s strongest front offices in the league in terms of coaching, football knowledge, player evaluation, recruitment, retention, and training staff. (This is a far cry from the recent days when the Packers were basically a two-man operation with gents like Jim Joyner or Tom Rooney helping George out.)
Press Coverage
Over the years the Packers have been featured in articles by the New York Times (10/1/95), Penny Savers (1991-1992), the Gannett/Westchester newspapers, the Gannett Suburban Newspaper, and the Herald Statesmen. (I don't have the dates for the last three newspapers yet but I am looking for them. )