NOTE: A special thanks to Rob Kiser and the Piqua Daily Call for helping us promote this event.

By Rob Kiser - Piquia Daily Call

Comedian Heywood Banks made an appearance at the Piqua Hartzell Center for the Performing Arts Saturday night.

The constant roar from the crowd signified the success of Banks' show - and the continuing evolution of the Piqua Indians Athletic Boosters, who brought Banks to Piqua with support of many key sponsors, including WTUE and Unity National Bank.

And the fun continued at the Eagles "After Party" event.

"I think it went really well," PIAB president Doug Hemm said. "Did you hear the crowd? I think they really enjoyed themselves. It was a great show. What I really liked was when Heywood (Banks) would pause and let the crowd continue the lyrics. They didn't miss a beat."

And it was a "team" effort that made it a success.

"We had so many sports teams volunteering out here for this, I couldn't even name them all," Hemm said. "There were volunteers everywhere."

Which was what the reorganizing of the PIAB was all about, when the idea first came about in November of 2006 - unifying the different Boosters groups for the benefit of all athletes.

And Hemm said the PIAB is right on track in accomplishing that.

"There are some areas where we are behind," Hemm said. "But, there are also some areas where we are light years ahead - like the e-commerce on the web site."

Hemm was referring to the ability to order tickets for the Heywood Banks show at piquasports.com.

"This is an evolution in the fund raising process for us," Hemm said. "This was a major step. There were a lot of people here tonight from outside Piqua. There were even a few from Michigan, who made the trip. We don't just have to rely on the things we have done in the past."

Hemm admits when the process began, there weren't sure who they were going to bring in for the fund raiser.

"Eventually, someone suggested we look at a talent website," Hemm said. "There were just hundreds of names on there. And we went through the Bob & Tom website."

They informed the PIAB it never hurt to try and contact Banks' people directily, and within an hour, they were talking to Banks himself.

"When he contacted us, I knew there was a good chance something might happen," Hemm said. "WTUE did a great promoting this. And Heywood went on the Bob & Tom show yesterday.

"He told people to call Piqua High School. Jo Jo Marrs was taking the calls and she said there was a great response. I don't know the exact number of tickets we sold online, but it was a pretty good number."

And Banks did not disappoint.

"It was a great show," Hemm said. "I think everybody loved it."

And all the athletes at Piqua High School will benefit, which is a success in everybody's book.