May 15, 2006
By Pat Litowitz
New Castle News
Conflicts with team owner David Gailbreath may have taken the thunder out of the New Castle Knights.
The semi-pro football team witnessed the exodus of its players and coaching staff Thursday. Yesterday, former Knights’ general manager David Cochenour announced the creation of the New Castle Thunder.
“(The staff) of the New Castle Knights resigned from the Knights in response to the owner’s public actions,” said Cochenour, who will serve in the same capacity with the Thunder.
“They felt it was in the players and community’s best interest to take the future of semi-professional football in New Castle in a new direction to ensure its success.”
City businessman Anthony Razzano is franchise’s owner. Razzano named his uncle, Rick Razzano, as director of football operations.
Rick Razzano was an all-star grid performer at New Castle High School from 1971 to 1973. He played professional football with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts.
Rick Sumner, another New Castle High football star, is the team’s head coach.
“(We) approached Mr. (Anthony) Razzano with the idea of a fresh start,” Cochenour said. “The Knights coaching staff requested and Mr. Razzano approved of all of them transitioning over to the New Castle Thunder.”
In early April, Gailbreath announced the Knights’ formation. While he has garnered community support for the team, Gailbreath has had a contentious relationship with the New Castle Area School District.
The team had sought the use of Taggart Stadium for its home football games. However, the school board balked at Gailbreath’s request when he reportedly failed to produce proper insurance and liability paperwork.
During an athletic committee meeting, George Gabriel, superintendent of schools, had Gailbreath removed because of his behavior.
Last week, team representatives pursued the use of Ellwood City’s Helling Stadium. That school board has not brought the matter to a vote.
“This is a regrettable experience that this team is experiencing,” Gailbreath said in a prepared statement. “We are working through some growing pains and staff conflicts which has left us restructuring our organization late in the game.
“Because this team has a responsibility to our sponsors, fans and players, we are actively seeking a new coaching staff, and are still seeking to fill open slots on our roster for the 2006 season.”
Like the Knights, the Thunder management said it has joined the North American Football League for the 2006 season. In fact, the team will play the Knights’ schedule when the season begins June 17.
Attempts to reach North American Football League officials regarding the status of the two teams were unsuccessful.
Cochenour said he began to lose confidence with Gailbreath about three weeks ago.
“I want to make it very clear that it was the staff of the team that decided to leave,” he said. “We approached Mr. Razzano, not the other way around, with our hope that he could step in and help to make this happen.”
The Thunder will conduct practice sessions at Hitters, Hackers, and Hoops in Shenango. Like its counterpart, the team will pursue the use of Taggart Stadium for its home games.
“You can’t ever expect anything, but we are going to make a run at it,” Cochenour said.
Attempts to contact Gailbreath for additional comment were unsuccessful.
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