Mike Thiessen

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  www.sj-r.com/homepage/x1938840724/STAR-sports-complex-a - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 10/25/2009    Last Visited: 10/26/2009  

  Mike Thiessen, who has been coordinating efforts to build the Springfield Training and Athletic Recreation Center, said the group is "one of the premier youth and tournament organizations in the country."
  
  He said it was premature to divulge the name before the partnership is formalized, but an announcement will be made in the near future.
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  Over a year ago, Calvary hired Thiessen of The Madison Group, a Chicago-area company that specializes in developing sports complexes and baseball stadiums. That includes the recently named Corn Crib stadium in Bloomington where the Frontier League CornBelters baseball team will begin play next spring.
  
  Thiessen has been lining up local support and funding for the STAR complex, which could cost as much as $60 million.

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  www.athleticbusiness.com/articles/lexisnexis.aspx?lnart - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 9/22/2009    Last Visited: 9/23/2009  

  "I'm 80 percent sure this is going to happen," said Mike Thiessen of The Madison Group Ltd., a Chicago-area company.
  
  Thiessen and The Madison Group have experience in developing minor-league baseball stadiums around the country.
  
  He was hired by Calvary Temple, the church that currently owns the 123-acre site.
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  Thiessen said one of the first ball diamonds could be built with expanded bleachers and other facilities to accommodate UIS.
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  Thiessen said the city of Springfield has declined to be the new owner.
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  Thiessen said one alternative could be creation of a new, not-for-profit entity that would assume ownership.
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  "We don't anticipate going into debt on this," said Thiessen.
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  Thiessen said the committee meets regularly to tie down details and garner more support. There is already wide support among Springfield's youth and adult athletic leagues, including soccer, softball and baseball.
  
  Originally, Thiessen hoped to formally unveil the complex with a press conference in early June. He is now shooting for late July.
  
  "Everything's good," Thiessen said.

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  www.sj-r.com/homepage/x488824296/Sports-complex-moves-c - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 7/3/2009    Last Visited: 7/4/2009  

  "I'm 80 percent sure this is going to happen," says Mike Thiessen of The Madison Group Ltd., a Chicago-area company.
  
  Thiessen and Madison Group have experience in developing minor-league baseball stadiums around the country. He was hired by Calvary Temple, the current owners of the 123-acre site.
  ...
  Thiessen said one of the first ball diamonds could be built with expanded bleachers and other facilities to accommodate UIS.
  ...
  Thiessen said the city of Springfield has declined to be the new owner.
  ...
  Thiessen said one alternative could be creation of a new, not-for-profit entity that would assume ownership.
  ...
  "We don't anticipate going into debt on this," says Thiessen.
  ...
  Thiessen said the committee meets regularly to tie down details and garner more support. There is already wide support among Springfield's youth and adult athletic leagues, including soccer, softball and baseball.
  
  Originally, Thiessen hoped to formally unveil the complex with a press conference in early June. He is now shooting for late July.
  
  "Everything's good," Thiessen says.
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  "It's unfortunate, based on the timing, that we couldn't go forward on this project together," Mike Thiessen, who is overseeing development of the STAR complex, said of the park district board.
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  Mike Thiessen, sports and entertainment, finance and facility specialist, The Madison Group Ltd.

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  www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_957.s - [Cached Version]
  Last Visited: 5/15/2009  

  Mike Thiessen, who was hired by Calvary to put the project together, says they have also contacted legislators to discuss funding for the project, and are looking to see if we could qualify for federal stimulus dollars.

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  www.ballparkdigest.com/news/index.html?article_id=1432 - [Cached Version]
  Last Visited: 6/27/2009  

  Consultant Mike Thiessen has been working with Calvary Temple on a site plan for 123 acres controlled by the church. His proposal calls for multiple sports facilities, including the ballpark and a football stadium.

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  Bowling Green Kentucky KY Daily News - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 2/10/2005    Last Visited: 2/10/2005  

  Mike Thiessen of the Madison Group in Chicago said the fact three teams are looking to move here suggests success is in the future.
  
  "Cities that lose teams are viewed as cities in decline," he said.
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  Thiessen also attempted to put a positive spin on the sale of more than 1,400 tickets, which he deemed quite an accomplishment.

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  Bowling Green Kentucky KY Daily News - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 2/8/2005    Last Visited: 2/8/2005  

  Mike Thiessen of the Madison Group in Chicago, who is in discussions with the three teams interested in moving here, added that in the past cities have added clauses in the leases of the stadiums that prevented them from having a stadium with no team.
  
  "In Texas, we have to create a non-relocation agreement," he said."If (the team) chooses to leave, they must replace themselves."
  
  Thiessen said adding provisions like this into the lease agreement could prove to be a pair of "golden handcuffs," assuring the city that the project would continue to generate revenue well into the future.
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  Thiessen said the fact three teams are looking to move here suggests success is in the future.
  
  "Cities that lose teams are viewed as cities in decline," he said."Cities that attract teams are viewed from the outside as progressive."
  
  He said the previous season ticket drive was by no means a failure, and that selling more than 1,400 season tickets is quite an accomplishment.
  
  "In this particular case, I think you positioned yourself in a position of strength," he said.

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  Daily Herald - [Cached Version]
  Last Visited: 5/11/2004  

  "They're busy out there," said project consultant Mike Thiessen of The Madison Group.
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  The entire complex, including the baseball fields and locker and training rooms, which should be complete by next spring, is estimated to cost $12 million, Thiessen said.
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  Meanwhile, work at the stadium site continues, with construction of the east and west retaining walls complete, Thiessen said.
  
  Installation of underground storm-water sewers and hydrants is also basically finished, he said.
  
  In the next week, workers will begin digging trenches for the track and football field and start installing foundations for the concessions and restrooms, he said.

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  Daily Herald - [Cached Version]
  Last Visited: 9/1/2004  

  "I think the kids will have the time of their life," said project consultant Mike Thiessen of The Madison Group.

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  Daily Herald - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 8/9/2003    Last Visited: 8/9/2003  

  Michael Thiessen of The Madison Group Ltd. has been hired to help Lisle negotiate and draft an agreement between the village and Benedictine University for a hybrid football, baseball and track stadium at the school.
  
  The decision has irked one group working to bring a Frontier League baseball team to Lisle because Thiessen owns a small part of the Schaumburg Flyers.
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  Thiessen said it's "laughable" to think he could influence Lisle's decision.
  
  "It's disrespectful to think a consultant could direct an elected board," Thiessen said."They are very smart people.I can't influence them.
  
  "I am a resource, not a decision maker," he said.
  
  Thiessen said he owns less than one-half of 1 percent of the Schaumburg Flyers."It lets me keep my good season tickets," he said.

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