Thunder may return to Taggart Stadium for playoff game

September 28, 2006

By Pat Litowitz
New Castle News

Three New Castle Area School Board members want to invite a semi-professional football team back to Taggart Stadium.

However, board President Fred Mozzocio must first approve the trio’s request for a special session.

Philip Conti, Donna Donati and Mark Kirkwood are asking the district to make the stadium available Oct. 7 for the New Castle Thunder’s playoff game against the Columbus Fire. A letter on the issue was presented to board members before the start of an expulsion hearing Tuesday.

“I see no legitimate reason not to honor the request,” Conti said.

Neither he nor his two colleagues had been asked by Thunder officials to act on the team’s behalf, he said.

Attempts to contact team owner Anthony Razzano for comment were unsuccessful.

Superintendent George Gabriel sought input from district solicitor Charles Sapienza to outline circumstances that permit a board president to call a special meeting.

In a response sent Tuesday, Sapienza said one of Mozzocio rights as president is to call for a special meeting. Three board members may seek a meeting by submitting a written correspondence to the president.

If Mozzocio refuses to act on or denies the request, then five board members are needed to initiate a special session.

“(Mozzocio’s) authority is absolute unless a majority of the board decides otherwise,” Sapienza wrote to Gabriel.

When contacted yesterday, Mozzocio said he responded to the letter. However, he would not disclose its contents.

“As a professional courtesy, I want the board members to see the letter first,” he said.

Donati said the team deserves the community’s support.

“Since they are in the national playoffs, it would be nice if we held that game,” she said.

The battle to use Taggart dates back to April when the defunct New Castle Knights asked the board for permission to use the field.

In one meeting, team owner David Gailbreath fought with the board, Gabriel and Sapienza. Gailbreath was tossed from the session. Hopes for any team other than the New Castle Red Hurricane to use the field appeared to be dead.

Citing differences with Gailbreath, the Knights players and staff left his control in May. Razzano, a New Castle accountant, announced the formation of the Thunder, a member of the North American Football League.

Gailbreath, a Smithfield Street resident, was charged in July with taking about $1,500 from the Knights for personal use. A trial date has not been set.

After approaching several Lawrence County school districts, the Thunder eventually reached an agreement with Slippery Rock University to play its home games there.

“We’ve had a great relationship ... with Anthony Razzano,” said Paul Lueken, SRU’s athletic director. “They’re more than welcome to come back next year.”

After negotiations with the district and receiving board approval, the Thunder played one game at Taggart on Sept. 16.

“I didn’t see any problems,” New Castle athletic director Sam Flora said. “Everything went well.”

If Taggart is not made available, the Thunder will be scurrying for other home-field options.

Lueken said SRU will not be available for the team’s playoff game. The Rock hosts Shippensburg Oct. 7.

“It’s not a matter that we don’t want them at The Rock.”