SOUTH OGDEN — The Ogden Outlaws recently wrapped up the best season in the franchise’s history.
Unfortunately for the seventh-year Premier Development League club, it’s also likely to be its last.
Ogden’s struggle to gain community support and a top-level sponsor leave owner and head coach Mike Hickman Sr. seeing no financial path forward.
“I’m still hoping for a miracle, but it doesn’t look good,” Hickman said. “I feel like we’ve consistently put together a pretty good product, but we just haven’t been able to find a way to tap into the community in the way we need to in order to build a consistent crowd at the gate.
“We’ve had some wonderful sponsors, like Hertz, Mountain Land Rehabilitation, Chik-fil-A, and Imagination Co., and fans that have given us incredible support for years, and I’d really like to personally thank them for that support.”
Hickman said he is currently exploring his options in regard to either selling the team to new owners or folding it.
Ogden’s financial struggles come at a disappointing time for the franchise, especially coming off a season during which the Outlaws showed they could be competitive against their Southwest Division opponents.
“Overall, this year was a huge step in the right direction,” Hickman said. “To be in the running for a playoff spot late in the season was a little new to us, but it was very exciting. The players worked hard and pushed each other to be better every practice. I feel they enjoyed playing together, and were disappointed that they didn’t do even better.”
Ogden finished its seventh season at 6-7-3 overall, posting a team-best 5-2-1 mark on its home pitch. The team finished with 21 points and in fifth place in the Southwest Division, and was just one point out of fourth.
Forward Daniel Burnham, who now enters his senior season at Penn State, had seven goals and two assists, finishing the year with 16 points. Jordan Roylance had seven points, scoring three goals and tallying an assist.
Goalkeeper K.C. John made 10 starts, finishing with a 1.5 goals-against average and four shutouts.
“Our fans should remember the names of the guys on this year’s team, because I really feel a few could end up playing professionally in the next few years,” Hickman said. “I would also really like to say thanks to our coaching staff, and all of our staff and board members that helped with home games and organizational responsibilities.”
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