We Lost the REAL Number 1 Fan

It's been a sad weekend in Bluejacket land. We lost the real number one fan in owner John McConnell.

He was not just an owner of a team. He was a great man. He lived his life and ran his business following the golden rule: "Treat others the way you want to be treated." and to him this was not just music...he lived it.

John's word and his handshake was better than any contract.

He lived.

He grew up in a poor steel workers home in West Virginia during the depression...then went off to defend this country in WWII.

After the war, he went to Michigan State, played football and received a diploma in business. After college, (lucky for the city of Columbus) he got a job at a steel company there. John started his business, Worthington Steel, on a loan for $600 using his car for collateral.

John grew that business through hard work, his belief in the golden rule, and the belief that the people that worked for him were important. (He had profit sharing for his employees back in the 50's. Can you believe that?)

John was always friendly. When you were in his presence you knew you were in company of a great man...but he never made you feel like it

He was also very kind to the city he called home. He donated money to hospitals and other organizations. There's not a place in Columbus that go hasn't been touched by this man.

In the late 90's...after a public vote on new taxes failed for a new arena to house an NHL expansion team... and it looked certain that that team would go to Cincinnati...Mr. Mac jumped in and said "No...that's not going to happen. He ponied up $80 million (out of his own pocket) for the expansion fee and got together with Nationwide and other civic leaders to come up with enough money to build Nationwide Arena downtown.

All in all, Mr. Mac spent over $120 million of his own hard earned dollars to create the Bluejackets. His motives were not for personal financial gain.

"Columbus has always been great for me." He would say, "I want to give this to Columbus as a gift."

He meant it. John set it up so that if the club ever became profitable, the profits would go to charity...not his pocket. Mr. Mac always thought Columbus deserved a professional team and he wanted to see the excitement of a beautiful arena filled with the families and friends of Columbus.

He got his wish...and we are forever grateful for that. Mr. Mac was often at games...and whenever they would show him on the Jumbotron...the crowd would go crazy.

When the fans filled up Nationwide night after night and the team didn't perform, Mr. Mac was on the Jumbotron telling fans that "You guys did your part. I don't know if we did ours. Next year we will try even harder for you."

He was the biggest Bluejacket's fan there ever was...and he wanted to see his boys make the playoffs.

I feel that, when his boys make it, he'll be there. When they hoist that cup for the city of Columbus...Mr. Mac will have the biggest smile of them all!

Thanks Mr. Mac, for everything!!