Dr. Pete is a rare gem: Crew owner who cares
Dr. Pete Edwards is a highly sought orthopedic surgeon. He used to be the Crew’s team doctor — he was for 23 years, until he bought the team to save it for Columbus. His medicine remains strong.
Dr. Pete has maintained a full schedule of surgeries. He fits Crew business into “windows” he has before work, at lunch and after his last post-op scrub. Plus weekends. Whatever it takes.
We caught up with Dr. Pete on Thursday, as he chased his Yorkie-poo, Winston, on an early morning walk.
Dr. Pete has time for that? “It’s my daughter’s dog,” he said. “She thought it would be best if she didn’t take it back to college with her. So … I think he’s slowing down now. Good dog. Let’s talk.”
The Edwards and Haslam families took control of Crew operations Jan. 1. Ever since, Dr. Pete has been a Zelig-like presence — see him on TV, hear him on the radio, follow him on Twitter — promoting what was once billed
as “America’s Hardestworking Team.”
It is worth noting that the previous “investor-operator,” Anthony Precourt, disliked the blue-collar “hardworking” motif — to the point where he tried to rebrand the Black & Gold with periwinkle shorts a few years ago. How did that go? He might as well have declared that the Massive Canary — the unofficial avian mascot who soared to victory in the magical year of 2008 — was being replaced by a stupid finch. Gah.
Thursday night, Dr. Pete attended the 12th annual Supporters Summit. The summit used to convene in the Upper 90 Club in a corner of Mapfre Stadium. But since the Upper 90 holds only 200 people, this year’s summit was moved to North
High Brewing’s production facility/warehouse.
The Crew’s new president, Tim Bezbatchenko, and the new coach, Caleb Porter, were there to field questions from fans. Dr. Pete also was there. Of course he was.
Morgan Hughes, a longtime Crew fan and one of the faces of the Save the Crew movement, has emceed seven summits. To him and his brothers and sisters, Dr. Pete is a dream realized.
Hughes: “I looked it up: It was on the 14th working day of the new ownership when Pete called and said, ‘I’m worried we’re not doing enough.’ I was blown away. We’re not used to having an owner in town, let alone one who cares.”
Dr. Pete grew up here. He lives here, works here, can’t imagine being anywhere
else. He has been with the team from the start and has Black & Gold blood in his veins. In a span of six weeks, he has emerged as one of America’s Hardest Working owners.
Asked about his style when it comes to soccer operations, Dr. Pete said he will be more hands-off than fingers-in-the-pie. Smart man.
“The long-term plan is to be perennially competitive,” he said. “We want to win. Ultimately, that’s what we’re judged on. We’ve put smart people in place and we’re going to let them do their jobs. … Me, I’m just thinking of sneaking back out on the practice field so the coaches and players can (have a place to aim their insults), like they have been doing for 23 years.”
Dr. Pete is hoping for a sellout for the season opener, against the New York Red Bulls at Mapfre on March 2. History dictates that late-winter games in central Ohio are tough to sell. It all depends on the weather.
“We’re just so happy the team is here and the future is bright,” Dr. Pete said. “We’re excited to work with the city, the community and the fans. I think people are responding to support a team they think is their own.”
Local ownership. What a concept. Through 25 business days under new stewardship, season-ticket sales are trending to threaten the team’s all-time record of 10,000-plus.