Two Friday's ago in faraway Frisco, Texas, Eastern Washington University's football team scored their Football Championship Subdivision victory over Delaware 20-19.
But there's another victory that possibly can be taken out of the journey to the bustling suburb, some 25 Texas-style miles north the megalopolis of Dallas-Forth Worth.
“Look at Frisco, Texas. It works,” Cheney City Administrator, and proud Eastern alum, Arlene Fisher said. Among other things, Fisher called her visit – using frequent flier miles her husband racks up in his job, and not taxpayer dollars we might add – “enlightening.”
The trip to cheer on her team allowed Fisher to meet with a variety of Frisco city officials and share how each city works. And while Cheney and Frisco are miles apart – both literally and figuratively – the two share some similarities.
Both have history that began with railroads. In 1980 each was a sleepy little town of under 10,000 people. Each is considered, like it or not, a bedroom community for a larger metropolitan area.
But in the past 30 years that's where Cheney and Frisco have taken separate paths. Frisco has mushroomed out of its central downtown to become America's fastest growing city hovering at around 115,000.
But Frisco's quick growth and massive sprawl would hardly be welcome here. Neither would average home prices lapping at the $300,000 mark.
What's interesting and enticing about Frisco, and something Cheney and the West Plains might study, is how various elements of the community and business have partnered to provide a huge tourism and recreational impact.
Frisco's Convention and Visitor's Bureau president and CEO Tony Felker explained how the city, school district, the CVB and private enterprise have teamed in the past decade to build sports facilities that leave visitors with a true “wow” factor.
Pizza Hut Park, down the road from “old Frisco” will host the FCS national title game for the next two years. It is also home to FC Dallas of Major League Soccer and high school football as well.
Dr. Pepper Park in “new Frisco” was voted the best baseball park in all of baseball – major or minor leagues – and is home to the Frisco RoughRiders, the AA affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Adjacent Dr. Pepper Arena is the corporate headquarters and training facility of the NHL's Dallas Stars, plus a NBA development league team of the Dallas Mavericks.
Cheney doesn't need to score professional sports teams. However, with first class facilities such as Roos Field, Reese Court, the Phase and the Student Rec Center, already in place, The EWU/Cheney community can – and should – become a player for the region's players.
As a starter, why can't Roos Field and Reese Court host more high school playoffs, football and basketball? Remember, during Thanksgiving week the Eastern crew at Roos likely saved some travel for two playoff-bound schools?
We've always said Cheney has a tremendous amount of unearthed potential. So with Frisco's experience fresh in the minds of many, perhaps Eastern, Cheney and the business community can begin to build their own championship identity.
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