Tucson Roadrunners hire new president, three others

Brian Sandy was named president of the city's new American Hockey League team on Monday morning. The Arizona Coyotes, owners of their top minor-league affiliate, made the announcement.  Sandy was one of four executives introduced Monday: Tom Callahan will serve as the Roadrunners’ media relations director and play-by-play announcer, Mark Iralson will serve as the team's director of game operations and Bob Hoffman be director of sales.

Sandy comes from Sacramento, where he oversaw the Sacramento State athletic department's corporate partnerships. Before that, he served as president of the Arena Football League's Portland Thunder. He has hockey experience, too; he was president and alternate governor of the ECHL's Stockton Thunder from 2013-14.

Sandy worked at the UA in 2013, serving as the associate general manager for the athletic department and IMG college. He handled sales and marketing for the department, and worked with the Arizona Alumni Association.  

“I'm truly honored to return to Tucson and to join the Coyotes organization,” Sandy said in a news release. “I look forward to helping establish the Roadrunners brand, both on the ice and within the community. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Coyotes president Anthony LeBlanc said Sandy is the "perfect fit" to run the new franchise. He joins Mark Lamb, who was named head coach month. 

The Roadrunners will play their inaugural season at Tucson Convention Center starting in October. The team was purchased and moved here from Springfield, Massachusetts this spring.