NewsWest 9
ODESSA - The future of the West Texas Roughnecks is now up in the air after the current ownership has put the team up for sale to focus on the family.
In a statement sent to NewsWest 9, Roughnecks General Manager Dale Morris said, "Today is a sad day for me and The Roughnecks organization. I am proud to say that my family has been involved with this organization for nine seasons including 4 seasons under our ownership and myself as General Manager. That is what makes this so difficult for me to say and do. I am a firm believer of everything happens for a reason, but I live by the fact that Family comes first no matter what and that is why today I must put our team and organization up for sale. My grandfather and partner Jay Morris has been in the pipe and equipment business for over 30 years here in the Basin and during that time he has always supported myself and the rest of our family from here to Oklahoma City and back in whatever we may do. For those of whom may not know, my Grandfather has raised me to be the man I am today and for those that meet either of us for the first time I am always quick to say that James Dean and my grandfather were born same day and same year. People will hang posters and pictures of James on their walls, but I am blessed to hang out with my idol, Jay Morris, every day. It is time that I help run and manage the family business as father time will catch up to all of us, it is slowly catching up to Jay Morris. Jay Morris and I have poured our heart and soul in to this team and this organization sacrificing more than I care to share to make The Roughnecks what they are today. I am proud to say that we as an organization have been very successful during my tenor as General Manager and Co-Owner. The 2012 season marks the first of many successful seasons to come in the Lone Star Football League and I pray we can find someone to carry on the Roughnecks Tradition during that time. I want to thank all our sponsors, without their amazing support our success would not have been so abundant. I want to thank all the volunteers over the past years without your help we could not have executed our home games and events. I would like to thank Don, Aaron, and the staff of the Ector County Coliseum to for all the help and patience. I would like to thank all our coaches over the past seasons as their dedication and time is what brought our team to the playoffs every year. Last, but certainly not least I want to thank the thousands of fans for coming out and sharing, and supporting the very best in fun family entertainment. It has been a tremendous experience helping charities, and our community in ways I never imagined. And so I must say goodbye as your GM and Owner, but please know that the Morris Family will always be fans, we will always be supporters, and we will always be Roughnecks."
2013 will mark the Roughnecks 10th season in Odessa.
