Express excited about new season

By Zander Kelly

The owner of the Windsor Express basketball team has plans for this season.

“Coach (Bill Jones) and I have been having some in-depth meetings,” said Dartis Willis Sr. “Our motto is ‘Back to Work,’ and going back to the basics of what we did before to keep the championship.”

The Windsor Express have won two championships in the four years they have been a professional team competing in the National Basketball League.

Willis said he wishes for the youth of Windsor to understand that they do have a professional basketball team, and that the organization is aiming to make games more accessible, affordable and interactive.

“We made the kids’ season tickets free if an adult buys a season ticket, which makes it really affordable for families.” said Willis. “We probably have the best deal on the market right now.”

Express Corporate Partnerships and Ticket Sales Executive Dylan Cullis added that while adult season tickets are roughly $340, that amounts to about $17 per game.

In addition to having reserved seating, season ticket holders would also have access to special event tickets and first pick for playoff tickets before the general public. The team is also doing another Clash at the Colosseum, which is played at Caesars Windsor Casino.

Fresh blood is another new theme for the Express this season.

“A lot of the players that helped to bring us two championships are pretty much retired or moved on, so we’re going with a new group of guys that never had a championship but have the skills to do it,” Willis said.

The season starts Dec. 6 for the Express, so the use of the WFCU Centre by the FINA Swimming Competition will not interfere with any season games. However, the Memorial Cup is a hockey tournament that is being held in Windsor this year and will take place May 18-28, 2017.

“The Memorial Cup is at the end of my season during playoffs,” said Willis. “So there is interference there.”

Willis is currently looking into another venue for the games that the Memorial Cup overlaps.

“Windsorites who attend future Express games can expect all-inclusive entertainment pieces” said Willis.

Performers such as dancers, musicians, singers and the popular DJ Thor, who has been in charge of game-time music ever since the Express started.

“The basketball is just part of the entertainment” said Willis

The Express plan to be at every community event they are able to attend and will continue to be a public face in the community, such as an event last thursday at the Caboto Club for the Do Good Divas, and their yearly fundraising events.

Willis also said in coming weeks, he will be making further announcements regarding new players, and asks that basketball fans stay tuned.