The OSC Interview: Trenton Freedom GM Megan Williams
by Fran Stuchbury
June 18, 2014 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Trenton Freedom
OurSports Central Contributor Fran Stuchbury recently interviewed Trenton Freedom General Manager Megan Williams. The Freedom is playing its first season in the Professional Indoor Football League. They have an 8-2 record so far this season and will be hosting a home playoff game on Saturday, July 5th.
Fran Stuchbury: Are you happy with everything the Trenton Freedom has accomplished both on and off the field in its first season in the Professional Indoor Football League?
Megan Williams: I am very happy with our accomplishments this year. We have created an organization that we feel is one that truly cares about our community, and we have gathered a great staff of coaches, players, and front office people that are dedicated to helping our community in any way that we can.
FS: I see the Freedom supplies housing for players; do they help them find part time jobs as well during the football season?
MW: We support our players in every way possible. We have done anything that we can to help any of our players locate employment if they are in need of it. The only way to do that, however, is to forward their resume to our community partners or our own personal contacts within our professional circles.
This is probably one of the hardest tasks that I try to complete as the players' schedules do not allow for "normal" work schedules and we at no time are asking any employer to make sacrifices to their own organization's success to "give" someone a job.
FS: What types of advertising has the Freedom done for people to get exposed to the team?
MW: The Freedom have done the typical advertising: newspapers and radio ads, as well as a billboard on RT 29. However the best form of getting our name out there for us has been social media and good, old-fashioned word of mouth.
FS: How has the team done with acquiring sponsors? It seems to be a great sign that they are all over the dasher boards in the Sun Bank Center and they have restaurants in Yardley, PA and Hamilton, NJ, where the coaches show take place.
MW: We are very fortunate with having the partners we have this year. We owe a lot of thanks to all of the companies and restaurants that have backed us in so many ways. The faith that they have put into us is something that we are truly grateful for and we hope that they are going to return again with us next season. We are also hoping to add a lot more so that we are able to help them continue to grow their businesses as we build ours.
FS: What events have the Freedom players attended to be involved in the community?
MW: Freedom players and staff have made quite a few community event appearances this year. We have attended local schools on both sides of the river - participating in Read Across America at one and in a physical education day at another. Players attended The ARC Mercer Walk-A-Thon and spent a day delivering Meals on Wheels in Mercer County as well.
FS: Can you give an update on Freedom wide receiver Jaquan Bryant who was taken off the field on a stretcher during the game Saturday vs. the Alabama Hammers?
MW: Jaquan Bryant was taken to the ER in Huntsville. He was evaluated by the great doctors there and was able to be released and return home with the team on Sunday. We are awaiting test results and further evaluation by our team doctors at Trenton Orthopedic Group.
I can say that I was with him on the field and in the ER; we would like to let everyone know that he will be okay and that he is very thankful for all of the thoughts, prayers and concern that so many people have expressed to him via contact with our organization.
FS: You have a background in customer service; does the Freedom rely on feedback from fans to make sure they are taken care of? From fans I have spoken to they say the team has been very fan friendly.
We do rely on fan feedback quite a bit. One of the things that we have tried to do from the onset is make sure that each person that comes to one of our games has the best possible time. We are always open to suggestions to improve the experience; complaints are addressed as quickly as possible and we really do try to correct any wrongs that a fan may feel they have experienced.
FS: How do you like working with Freedom head coach Kevin O'Hanlon?
MW: Where do I start when it comes to Coach O'Hanlon? I am so grateful to him for everything that he has done for this organization from day one! We are so fortunate to have had him believe in us the way that we believe in him.
His willingness to share his knowledge of the game and the league has been invaluable to everyone in the organization from the owners, front office staff, coaches, players and interns. We would not be as successful as we are if it weren't for his hard work and dedication to the Freedom Family.
FS: With the Freedom now hosting a home playoff game Saturday, July 5th at 7 pm at the Sun Bank Center against either the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks or Richmond Raiders, will that encourage fans who have not been to a game to check it out?
MW: Hosting a Playoff game is huge for everyone: the fans, the community and the organization. I hope that we can see some more people in the stands, but at the same time, we have the greatest fans in the PIFL and they can get really loud in there.
FS: The Freedom has committed to coming back next season. Do you expect the fan base to grow after showing fans this team is committed to being here?
MW: I think that by the Freedom coming back next season, and for seasons to come, the community will be a little more willing to invest themselves into us. We knew that this was going to be a hard sell due to the past history of sports teams in this city, but I believe that we have done pretty well this year and we are already making exciting plans for next season that people will be at the least a little more curious in us.
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Professional Indoor Football League Stories from June 18, 2014
- Stampede Can Play Spoiler Versus Rival Steelhawks - Harrisburg Stampede
- Fire Breath Life, Still Need Tons Of Help - Georgia Fire
- Raiders Host Venom in Home Finale - Richmond Raiders
- The OSC Interview: Trenton Freedom GM Megan Williams - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- The OSC Interview: Trenton Freedom GM Megan Williams - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- The OSC Interview: Trenton Freedom GM Megan Williams - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Steelhawks Go for Two in a Row in Final Round of the Keystone Classic - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
- Stampede Home Season Comes to a Close on Saturday - Harrisburg Stampede
- Playoff Scenario On Community Appreciation Night - Alabama Hammers
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
