St. Joseph Goats host luncheon event as season draws closer

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The St. Joseph Goats held a private luncheon today at the St Jo Frontier Casino to provide more information about the team and get fans excited for the upcoming season.

Goats owner Ted Sweeny and Kansas City Chiefs hall of fame defensive end Neil Smith were among the guest speakers in attendance who spoke on the team representing St. Joseph and the impact of bringing arena football to the town.

"It's a good opportunity for the St. Joseph community," Smith said. "I was apart of an arena football league in Kansas City way back and we had a lot of success. It's a great market to have a football team in. It's not too far from Kansas City and the Chiefs even hold camp here. I think they'll be very successful."

To bring team sprit, current players and coaches on the team interacted with fans and signed autographs.

"I'm really excited about the opportunity to play in St. Joseph and bring football here," Goats defensive lineman Mike Reynolds said. "With the move from Kansas City, it's going to be really exciting. I was unfortunately injured in training camp last year, so I'm really excited to come back with a chip on my shoulder."

Real goats were also brought to bring the teams mascot to life.

More events will be planned as the season draws closer. The Goats will start their season against the Duluth Harbor Monsters on Saturday, June 1 at the Kansas City municipal auditorium.