This weekend the newly formed arena football team that will be Long Island's true new team announced their team's name and logo.
It was a back to the future theme for the new team donned with a DeLorean in the parking lot and an appearance by Doc Brown. The theme was apropo as the team chose the same name as the old arena league name. The Long Island Dragons are back.
The newly formed Entertainment Football Association (ENTFLA) and General Manager Peter Schwartz gathered in Hicksville for the event. Politician like Joe Saladino and Senator Steve Rhoades were on hand, as were former players and league officials. The event gave us some insight as to what to expect from the team itself. As Schwartz has promised there would be a full entertainment feel to the team, not just a good on the field product.
The announcement ceremony added that entertainment aspect right away. There was a youth football clinic afterwards, but a play area set up during the event in a very family friendly atmosphere and with Back to the Future style videos the excitement grew. That is when the real fun began as Schwartz started to bring out special guests. They began with the Islanders mascot Sparky. Then past Dragons players Jeremiah Pope and Will Holder, and past Dragon's cheerleaders. After a video from commissioner and former Bills star Andrew Reed the unveil was underway.
Sparky came running out with a banner and the new logo. The team would be the Dragons, and the logo was described as "the old Dragon logo on steroids."
The team begins their home slate of games on June 14th and have not played at the Coliseum in 17 years. Schwartz said the next step is hiring a new head coach, but that would be completed shortly.