Titans, Rampage expand ownership group

CEDAR RAPIDS - Barry and Toni Smith are getting back into the sports ownership business.

The Cedar Rapids Titans Professional Football, L.L.C. announced Monday that the Marion couple - former owners of the Cedar Rapids River Raiders of the United States Basketball League in 2004 - are joining the ownership group.

Present owners Chris Kokalis, Ken Moninski, David Bradley and Bob Sullivan have been with the Titans all four years.

This same group is also responsible for bringing professional arena soccer to the area, as the Major Arena Soccer League expansion franchise Cedar Rapids Rampage is in the midst of their first training camp.

Kokalis also serves as general manager of both the Titans and the Rampage.

The Smiths own and operate several local businesses, including Platinum Development L.L.C., Platinum Series Homes, Mirage Properties Corporation, Microtel Inn & Suites By Wyndham in Marion and Hawkeye Capital L.L.C.

Here is the press release from the club:

Cedar Rapids, IA: The mission of the ownership group of the Cedar Rapids Titans Professional Football LLC, the ownership entity of the Titans and the new professional indoor soccer team, the Cedar Rapids Rampage, has been to ensure longevity in providing quality affordable entertainment to eastern Iowa residents. The organization took a major step in ensuring that longevity in announcing the addition of Barry, Toni and Alexis Smith to the ownership group. The Smith's join Chris Kokalis, Ken Moninski, David Bradley and Bob Sullivan who have owned and operated the Titans franchise for the past four seasons.

Barry Smith, born and raised in Marion along with his wife Toni, raised in Albia, IA, are no strangers to professional sports having been the owners of the Cedar Rapids River Raiders of the United States Basketball League back in 2004 and bring a tremendous amount of local business experience to the organization. 'It's an honor to have the Smith's join our ownership group. They have been ambassadors of the organization since our arrival and their commitment to the community is second to none,” said Titans co-owner Chris Kokalis. 'Ensuring longevity and commitment to the community has been part of our mission since day one. Finding individuals who share in those values is important.”

The Smith family own and manage Platinum Development LLC, Platinum Series Homes, Mirage Properties Corporation, Microtel Inn & Suites By Wyndham in Marion and Hawkeye Capital LLC. Alexis is a sophomore at Marion High School. 'We are proud to join the ownership group of the Cedar Rapids Titans and the Cedar Rapids Rampage as Chris, his staff and the owners have done a great job in bringing quality professional football and soccer to the area. We look forward to being part of the growth of the organization for years to come,” added Barry Smith.

Season tickets for the 2016 Titans season are now on sale. A free parking pass courtesy of Park Cedar Rapids is included in all season ticket packages. To order season tickets visit http://cedarrapidstitans.com or call the Titans office at 319-730-6301.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com