BY SAM CLIFFORD
Team Market Owner
APR. 25, 2023
Phoenix Sports Management, the operating team of the Albany Patroons, welcomes Paul Marquardt, aka, “Paulie Walnutz”, to its ownership team. The ownership team is now comprised of Rebecca Clifford, Sam Clifford, Joe Carl, and Paulie Walnutz.
“Why not have Albany’s #1 Sports fan join the ownership ranks?”, said Sam Clifford. “His tremendous dedication to family, staff, team, and our fans is intense; he is a perfect addition to our team along with the hype, connections, and energy he brings to the floor everynight”.
Paulie has been the on-floor hype guy for the 2023 season, replacing Greg Aidala from last year. “He was the perfect choice because he is wild with crazy ideas and a ton of energy”, says Clifford. “Not only is he the hype guy, he fills water bottles, mops the court, shuffles towels, and creates an incredible fan experience; all as a volunteer.”
He is also held famous to the popular event called “Win PW’s Money” in which he will pay a contestant $200 of his own money if they make a half court shot. Many have tried, all have failed, and he stills has his pockets filled with cash while walking around the arena performing his duties. “I do everything. I get to pick kids for games, pump up the crowd, and even slip candy to the players when Coach isn’t looking.”
Paulie was voted Albany’s Fan of the Year as he supports the core sports teams in the City – The Empire, The Firewolves, and The Patroons; it is quite clear when speaking, the city of Albany means the world to him.
Paulie Walnutz turn towards local celebrity came to be thanks to his connection with the Albany Empire of the Arena Football League. The former Empire 2021 Fan of the Year’s attachment to the team led to players, coaches and administrators becoming close personal friends, to the point that Walnutz would host team gatherings at his suburban Albany abode. His association with the NAL even extends to the proprietorship side of the league, with Paulie joining the Carolina Cobras ownership group, thanks in large measure to a former Empire owner, John Kane, taking on a similar role with the Greensboro (NC) based club.
If there is an opportunity for Walnutz to involve himself in an Albany professional sports outfit, the man is 100 per cent all in.
While Paul Marquardt of Delmar remains a huge fan of the Yankees, Rangers and Giants (even making multiple trips to NYC/NJ for games each year), Paulie Walnutz of West Albany tries his absolute hardest to bring a more up-close level of sports magic to his beloved and sometimes overshadowed hometown.
“We don’t have a capital city look at us thing. We’re a little brother, but it doesn’t have to be that way.”
Be sure to catch Paulie as he pumps up the crowd at every home game. The next game is Friday, April 28th against the York Mighty Ants with tip off at 7pm.
