Much has been written showering accolades on Anaheim Ducks players, coaches, management and owners for the team’s Stanley Cup success.
All of it of course very much deserved for a great organization with a great bunch of players.
However, we would be remiss for failing to also acknowledge some of the individuals who played key roles building the facility,Honda Center,that our beloved Ducks call home.
It starts with entertainment lawyer Neil Papiano, an entrepreneur who initiated the idea in 1987 that Orange County was ready for a state of the art indoor sports and entertainment arena.
Papiano successful pitched this concept to supportive Anaheim civic leaders. He also secured financial backing from Ogden Allied Services and Nederlander Group, well before the Ducks franchise was awarded.
Then there was the contribution from former Anaheim city manager James Ruth. He and his management team negotiated an extremely complex deal with Ogden that involved multiple land swaps and lawsuits. Under an aggressive timetable and competing plans from Santa Ana, he was able to deliver one of the best public-private partnerships protecting taxpayers’ interests.
There also was leadership from former Anaheim mayor Fred Hunter and councilman William Ehrle.
They were the arena’s most ardent supporters who, from the very beginning, kept the project moving forward, even in the face of intense criticism.
Ultimately both endured political setbacks for their unwavering support, which later would be vindicated.
While each of these individuals did not directly produces wins or losses, OC would never have been in a position to enjoy an Stanley Cup victory without their efforts.
Archie Brown
Huntington Beach
