By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

The nickname remains the same, and the home ice won’t change, nor will – at this point – the coaching staff.

But the Macon Mayhem have some new blood on board as it tries to put more bodies in the seats and return to the success of 2017 and 2021.

The team introduced Scott Gooch as the majority owner Thursday evening at a public/media conference at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Local doctor John Sapp and attorney John Regan have become the primary owners. Only Sapp is listed on the team’s website as an owner.

It was back in late June of 2020 that the new ownership group was introduced, with Sapp, Regan, Charles Olson, Mason Bryan, and Blair Floyd. They bought the organization from Bob and Diane Kerzner.

Sapp noted Thursday how the Mayhem won the Southern Professional Hockey League title two years after moving to Macon from Augusta, and lost in the finals in 2021, winning the regular-season title both years.

“Had a slow go of it since then,” he said. “But I think with what we’re going to present tonight that you’re going to see that there’s going to be a big change.”

Sapp said it has been a struggle for the organization, the ownership group taking over during COVID-19 and trying to tread water and come out of it with stability.

“It was rough for several years,” he said. “But we finally reached the top of that hole, and how we’re looking out above that hole, and we’re back in business.”

A longtime Sapp goal has been youth hockey in Macon.

“That means ‘I don’t know what ice is’ to people that have already skated,” he said. “It may not happen this year because we’re starting a little late with it … but it will happen. We’ll get you to where maybe you’ll come back and play for the Mayhem.”

During the press conference of nearly 40 minutes, Gooch touched on a variety of topics, some familiar but other new ideas.

“We’re (Central) Georgia’s professional sports team,” Gooch said. “And I’m really asking all of (Central) Georgia – the corporate side, the institutional side, and the people out there – to come out.

“If you’re a hockey fan, buy a season ticket and come out and enjoy it.”

Gooch said he started familiarizing himself with the city, area – including Warner Robins and Perry - and team last winter.

He pointed out that hockey in Macon in some form is approaching a 50-year mark, as the city celebrates its bicentennial, both things Gooch said the Mayhem will observe.

“Through what Doc talked about, this is really a hard time,” Gooch said. “We went through that COVID era, which was devastating for minor league sports. In coming out of that, we’re even today in an era where a lot of people are still at home. Talking to people that used to be season-ticket holders, really just kind disappeared during COVID and didn’t come back.

“That’s not just this. It’s a lot of things we’ve all seen happen across America.”

He thanked Sapp and Regan for staying on through the rough waters that developed during that ownership transition and since. Macon finished seventh in the 10-team SPHL in 2022-23 and 10th out of 11 in 2021-22.

“They’ve decided to stay with me and ride this ship up to higher waters and fun times,” said Gooch, also citing appreciation for general manager Anna Marie Summers. “I appreciate their trust in me.”

Gooch has had a career in international banking, mostly in North Carolina for nearly three decades, and then he started working in the film industry, now mostly based in Savannah, where he lives, with film production and real estate. He said he has two sons who played Division I tennis.

Gooch hopes to strengthen the chemistry, and build on the hunger of young players each to play, get better, and be afforded a chance to move up the hockey ladder.

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“You come out of college, you work your whole life to get to this point,” Gooch said. “We’re going try to get the best in the country.”

He said Macon sent more players up to the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League) than any other minor-league team.

Naturally, improving the fan experience is a high priority.

“We have 28 home games,” Gooch said. “That’s going to be 28 productions. You’re going to see great, great hockey, but before the game starts, during the intermission, we really want to bring a lot of fun and excitement.

“In Middle Georgia, not just Macon alone, but the entire area, this is where you want to come on the weekends because this is where the excitement is.”

He mentioned dinosaur races, dog races on ice, comic book hero and Nickelodeon nights, biker nights, tattoo on ice, among other things.

He said he’d like to incorporate education into the experience, partnering with area museums to be involved on a given night, as well as aspects of education – such as STEM and STEAM – and areas unique to Central Georgia.

“Things you don’t normally see at games, we want to mix it in,” said Gooch, noting improved communication with Robins Air Force Base as a priority. “I want you when you come to our games to experience the best of Middle Georgia.”