The new Springfield football team in The Arena League, scheduled to begin play in 2024 at the under-construction Wilson Logistics Arena at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, announced its team owner, mascot name and logo on Wednesday.
Mark A. Burgess, founding member and chief operations officer for Burgess Aircraft Management, LLC and OzAir Charter Service, will be the franchise owner.
In a news conference fittingly held at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, it was announced the team will be called the Ozarks Lunkers with a logo of a largemouth bass wearing a football helmet.
Burgess said in a news release that nearly 5,000 entries were received in a “name the team” contest and that Lunkers was the winner. Diane Buatte from Nixa submitted the winning entry and will receive two free season tickets to the 2024 home games along with the opportunity to lead the team onto the field for one game.
Ozarks Lunkers merchandise is available on the team’s new website OzarksLunkers.com. Season ticket info also is on the site.
Springfield was announced as the first franchise for The Arena League in early March. Since that time, Kansas City, Waterloo, Iowa and Dultuh, Minnesota, have been named other cities in the league which will consist of four teams the first season.
