FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Springfield Mayor Ken McClure offers congratulations to Springfield businessperson Mark Burgess, owner of the newly formed Ozarks Lunkers arena football team. The team is part of The Arena League set to launch in June 2024 locally at the $25 million Wilson Logistics Arena under construction at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds.
The lunker name, referring to a large fish, was chosen after officials received nearly 5,000 entries in a name-the-team contest that started in March.
NFL Hall of Famer and NCAA Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown is the commissioner and face of The Arena League.
“The City is excited for the Lunkers to be one of four teams that will debut for the league’s inaugural season in 2024,” Mayor McClure said. “Having an arena football team is just another step in Springfield securing a reputation as a sports town. The growth of sports tourism is presenting unprecedented economic and community opportunities with continued facility enhancements.”
In addition to the City’s purchase of Hammons Field and a number of large projects aimed at providing better access to modern fields and facilities, enhanced sports projects include Phase I of reconstruction at Cooper Soccer Complex will add eight turf fields and Phase II at Killian Softball/Cooper Baseball will add 11 new fields in 2024, with anticipated openings the following year.
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For more information, contact Cora Scott at 417-380-3352 or [email protected].