Smorol: Winning is Not the Only Thing

Story by Hernz Laguerre, Jr.

Photos by Hernz Laguerre, Jr. and Newhouse Sports Media Center Staff

Syracuse, N.Y. -- With a record under .500, one figures that must affect the attendance and business at NBT Bank Stadium. It doesn't according to Syracuse Chiefs General Manager Jason Smorol. 

Chatting with a couple of reporters, during the Chiefs' game Wednesday night, Smorol said no matter the wins and losses fans come for the game but stay for the experience. 


An experience that draws commited fans like Daniel Fleet.

The Peace of Fleet

Out in the stands you find Fleet sitting–alone and observant of his surroundings on the top of the lower deck to the far right.

"I look at the field–the scoreboard," Fleet told a reporter. “I just look at everything I don't pay attention to any one segment–I'm all over the place. I sit over here and finally I said I'm gonna sit here. We got a free taco over at the taco place...”

                                                          

Fleet, a Syracuse native has been going to Chief games since he was 15. That's when he could sneak past security to watch games at the old MacArthur Stadium. He says he loves the game of baseball. Fleet said he now uses his time at the stadium to take a break and relax.

During the game he spoke about his youth and experiencing the news of World War II coupled with his memories of watching Jackie Robinson play in Syracuse when he played for the Montreal Royals. He spoke about his time spent in the military, being a part of the 82nd airborne,  and how he would love to relive the final days when his father was alive.

We probably paid attention to the game twice during our chat–at the baseball game. At this time the Syracuse Chiefs were leading 3 to 1 against the Buffalo Bisons at the bottom of the sixth. 

Smorol's Inclusivity

Later on towards the top of eighth inning, Smorol pointed out that there was a suite with a party of about 200 people, "and probably 40 of them are watching the game." The rest, he said, were probably partying.

Whether they win or lose, NBT Bank Stadium has been winning in getting more people in the seats than years past.

“In the two seasons since Smorol’s appointment, the financial losses have slowed and attendance rose slightly from an average 3,743 a game in 2014 to 3,803 a game in 2015”, according to Syracuse.com.”

This is not to say he isn't interested in their success. He said a winning record would be great but a losing record doesn't stop the progress of management. 

The Chiefs ended the game with a 6 to 1 victory but Smorol was talking more about how the team is always in the business of helping the community.

"We do different days at the ball park for ALS, for cancer, for veterans, for police...we're going to keep doing what we do."