Staying On the (Up)Beat with the Chicago Rush

With the Chicago Rush’s future in question, David Staral entered the scene as the new owner.  Unfortunately, Staral is leaving the team with a lot of fanfare and the team’s future in question again.

With JohngysBeat.com covering the Rush, I have already been bombarded with questions.  Unfortunately, I do not have any answers beyond what is publicly known.

I am not an employee of the Rush.  I am not on their payroll in any way.  I have not even been asked to steer my stories in a positive direction.  Our "agreement" was that I would cover the team (with some extra access) and I would be fair.

If you have read any of my previous pieces on the Rush, you will know that I have been very positive about what I have seen this season.  I am just calling things the way I see them.  There have been a lot of reasons to be positive.

I have also been positive about Staral.  I am not here now to judge him.  All I know is that he possibly saved the 2013 season for the Rush and he has been nothing but professional and positive to me.  He has gone out of his way to greet us and talk to us on or off camera.

My opinion of Staral is not the issue here.  He is apparently out of the picture anyway.

What matters now is keeping the positive direction that was so evident from Media Day.  There are players, coaches and staffers who need fans to stay with the team.  These people have worked very hard to keep the Rush going.

Likewise, the fans need the Rush.  I really have looked forward to each game, either being there in person or following online.  I have gotten friends to attend games.  I really felt momentum growing each week (and not just evident by their 4-3 record after an 0-2 start).  Something positive was happening…and should continue happening.

Now is not the time to jump off the Rush bandwagon.  There may be uncertainty, but as long as games are being played, your focus and energy should be on the field.  I will continue to provide coverage of the team.  I will also continue to be a fan and support the team. 

We have weathered other storms in the history of the Rush.  As former Rush owner Mike Ditka once said, “This, too, shall pass.”  The next few months might be a bit turbulent, but when the dust settles, the Rush will still be playing and I will still be sitting in the press box, trying to stifle my cheers.