Duane McLean, hired away last year from the NBA's Houston Rockets and formerly with the Pistons, has returned to Houston after one year with the Lions. McLean was part of the Lions' plan to make the ticket department more aggressive in seeking new customers, as opposed to a previous policy when the franchise did little to solicit new orders. No new staffers will be added to fill McLean's position. Jennifer Manzo has been promoted from sales coordinator to director of ticket sales and customer service. Mark Graham, the box office manager, has added duties as director of box office operations.
Wings fly south Central Florida is bracing for an invasion of some feathered friends from the north.
The International Hockey League's Solar Bears have found a home in Orlando, but it's not the same as having an NHL team, especially the Stanley Cup champion, making its home there. The NHL will shut down for the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, from Feb. 8-24 as its stars scatter to join their national teams in quest of Olympic gold. On Feb. 17, with the best players still competing in Japan, those that are left will reassemble to prepare for the stretch run into the playoffs. For the Wings, it will be in the Florida sunshine. The Sportsplex has the Wings scheduled to practice from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. daily, which leaves plenty of leisure time afterward.