The Outrage

Apparently, I crossed some sort of line in my deconstruction of the Iowa Chops. I understand that people in Iowa are passionate about their AHL franchise, and I'm all for them having a professional hockey team. More teams allow for the game's popularity to grow, especially when these teams are prominent within their communities. However, the team is a representation of the community they play in. I'm not certain if people are simply misunderstanding my view on the name the Iowa AHL franchise chose, but I will attempt to extinguish some of the fires I may have lit with my article on Wednesday.

I went hunting on the Internet today for some additional information regarding Iowa, the term "Iowa Chops", and exactly what it means to people. Let's take a deeper look at why I wrote what I did.

From the Iowa Pork website, "[t]he term 'Iowa Chop' was coined by the Iowa Pork Producers Association in 1976". I'm all for heritage in a team name, so this 32 year-old term has some history. But aside from the Kansas City T-Bones baseball franchise in the Northern League, has there ever been another sports franchise named for a cut of meat?

Let's keep moving, though. In the summer of 1976, "[a]n official Iowa Chop Committee was then formed and county pork producers and Porkette groups began serving them at social gatherings, community events and business meetings. Once the marketing effort was started, the enthusiasm for the Iowa Chop was contagious".

Porkette groups? The Iowa Chops already have a page on their website for their Ice Girls, but I can't see them using the term "Porkette" for anything. Something about it seems a little politically incorrect. However, they are calling their online store the "Chop Shop", so maybe this is some sort of "anything goes" marketing scheme? According to this article, they've already branded the Wells Fargo Arena with a new nickname: The Meat Locker. They've even started talking about branding the penalty box as "the pig pen".

WHOtv.com made a good point in stating that the Iowa Stars really didn't have a local identity, making it harder to endear one's self to the team. I can believe this, and it certainly takes some time for fans to warm to a team that is new in town playing a game that isn't very popular.

However, when choosing a new identity, it's probably a good idea to go with something to which all your fans can endear themselves. When asked by the Des Moines Register in an online poll what people thought of the name, "the majority responded they 'hate it'". Granted, a lot of those votes can come from non-Iowans, but isn't hockey merchandising more than just a local project?

I can't see anyone from outside Iowa being a billboard for the Iowa Pork Producers. After all, this article states that "[t]he franchise is partnering with the Iowa Pork Producers Association". Hmmm... pig for the logo, and a deal with the pork producers. Hmmmmm.

I understand that the major agricultural product is pork in Iowa. There's no need to keep telling me this. I get it. I also understand that agriculture is largest industry in Iowa, with pig-farming being tops. The name "IceHogs" was already taken, so I am aware that the team would have to get creative with its name.

But what about the other major corporations that are making strides in Iowa? Principal Financial Group, founded in 1879, has their headquarters in Des Moines, and employees nearly 9000 people in that city. The financial services industry is huge in Des Moines, but I guess the "Iowa Bank Tellers" isn't really a great name. The Iowa Insurance Adjusters? No, I've got it! The Iowa Loan Sharks! The Iowa L-Sharks would have provided an excellent rivalry with the Worcester Sharks.

All jokes aside, I want everyone to know that I am looking forward to October 10, 2008 when the Iowa Chops take to the ice in Des Moines. When I wrote that article on Wednesday about how the team stinks, I was disappointed. I expected something more, and I apologize to the people of Iowa because I was not making any sort of commentary on you.

As I wrote in the comments, I have been through Iowa on a number of occasions, and I really feel that the people of Iowa are phenomenal. I've met farmers, waiters and waitresses, bus drivers, bartenders, retail salespeople - the foundation of some very welcoming and genuine communities. If I offended you in any way with my previous article, I apologize for that. It was not intended as my disappointment with the choice of the name was all I was trying to convey.

To the hockey fans in Iowa, and, specifically, the city of Des Moines: I believe you deserve an AHL franchise. Yes, attendance dropped after a few seasons with the Stars, but that's no reason for the franchise to pull up roots and head to another town. I commend the ownership group in keeping AHL hockey in Iowa, and encourage you to go see the Chops play as often as you can.

To everyone in Iowa, hockey fan or not, thank you for your passion and for making my previous trips through your state feel like home. If the heartbeat of America is in the Midwest, Iowans make it beat strong and proud, and I am already looking forward to my next trip through your beautiful state... even if you all want me dead.

By the way, that picture at the top is a genuine Iowa Chop. I still don't like the name, and I still feel that the ownership group sold out to the pork producers with whom they are partnered. But that's the beauty of team names - they can change with popular opinion.

Go watch the Chops play. Keep the AHL in the heartland of America.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!