JIM MILLER/VIEWVegas Kings tight end Justin Dunaway, right, prepares to stiff-arm defensive back Joseph Rodriguez of the San Diego Stallions of the North American Football League, Aug. 9 at Rancho High School.
JIM MILLER/VIEWKings wide receiver Marcus McCrary covers up after catching a pass.
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Community outreach, word of mouth and support from KCEP-FM 88.1 and other local businesses are helping to build a fan base for the Vegas Kings, a new pro-development team representing Las Vegas in the North American Football League.
Nearly 300 spectators filled the bleachers Aug. 9, when the Vegas Kings took on the San Diego Stallions.
On the field, members of the Vegas Kings are easily recognizable in their orange and green jerseys, and Rancho High Alumni Field, 1900 Searles Ave. in North Las Vegas, is renamed the Kingdom when the team hits the gridiron.
Olajuwon Martin, 25, the self-proclaimed "biggest fan" of the Kings, rallied crowd in the fourth quarter of the game when it was impossible that the team could effect a comeback in what would ultimately be a 33-10 loss to the Stallions.
"They have talent and heart," Martin said. "Look at the defense right now. They won't give up. When I support a team, I want to see effort. That's all I require from my team, and that's what I see out there."
Martin said only high gas prices prevent him from following the Kings to California for their road games.
For the budget conscious, a family night out watching the Kings is a steal, according to Greg McPhail, assistant coach and executive vice president of marketing.
Individual tickets are $5. The concession stand is run by families belonging to the booster club, with stadium staples such as nachos and hot dogs going for $2.
"A lot of families come out to support us," McPhail said. "We choose to be a family-friendly organization."
The team opted for the Las Vegas Elements, a youth cheerleading squad, instead of having adult cheerleaders, McPhail said, keeping in line with the family atmosphere the Kings want to foster.
Representatives from the Circus Circus Adventuredome also were on hand for the evening game, providing entertainment for the children in attendance and raffling off all-day passes to the indoor amusement park.
Head coach Cavoy Laushaul has been coaching for 10 years. He said that if he or any of his players were recruited by a professional team, he would go in an instant.
Traditionally, development teams are viewed as a recruiting ground for colleges and professional sports franchises.
"I tell the players to approach the field like a kid entering a playground," Laushaul said. "You've got to have fun out there."
Starting wide receiver Richard "Slim" Mapp and defensive end Prentice Caesar co-own the team. They are both 2001 graduates of Chaparral High School. Mapp played for UNLV for two years and currently is pursuing a degree in political science. Caesar is a dental lab technologist.
The Kings' roster is peppered with alumni talent from high schools throughout the Las Vegas Valley, including Western, Bonanza, Eldorado and Cimarron-Memorial. Ages range from 18 to 44 years. Some have played in high school, others have played in college.
Of his team, Laushaul said, "They just love to play football."
For more information on the Vegas Kings, or to buy tickets, visit www.vegaskings football.com.
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