Admirals President Jon Greenberg would love to tell you that his team's new sponsorship arrangement with Weight Watchers was a stroke of sports marketing genius that came to him in a syngergistic vision during a hockey management retreat.

"Let's see: we score goals in hockey. People trying to lose weight set goals ... Brilliant!"

It's a plausible story, but with two significant flaws. Greenberg is an honest person; and, it's not entirely true.

"I am overweight," Greenberg said. "That was the genesis of this idea. I'd been looking for ways to lose weight myself and I saw that my mom, my aunt and two of my cousins went on the Weight Watchers program and the four of them combined to lose 200 pounds.

"Weight Watchers was something I was interested in pursuing. I took a flyer and cold-called them and pitched the idea of doing something with our team. I thought that training camp was the perfect jumping-off point, because it's a time when you get in shape for the season.

"Weight Watchers was very interested in having more men in their program. They liked the idea."

That's how the Presidents Club was born. The season-long program, which kicked off Sept. 12 at the Bradley Center, was designed to educate Admirals fans on how to lose weight and make healthy heating choices.

Each Wednesday at noon, participants gather for a 30-minute at the Bradley Center for a meeting led by a Weight Watchers Leader. Fans can weigh in and receive tips about losing weight, recipes and more.

"In the office last year, we had a "Biggest Loser" contest," Greenberg said. "It was a nice program, but it wasn't something people had a whole lot of guidance on. Everybody was on their own. This is a more structured program and I think that helps.

"Weight loss, to me, can be a very intimidating thing," Greenberg said. "This becomes a team-building exercise. We have eight people in our office, out of a staff of 12, that are involved and everybody is talking about what they're eating for lunch. There is a lot of support."

Weight Watchers is waiving the $20 registration fee for people who participate in the Admirals program, but fans must pay the regular meeting fee. Meetings also will be held on the evening of select Admirals home games this season.

Weight Watchers will work with the participants in the program, including Greenberg, to establish a goal weight. Those meeting that short-term goal will be eligible for a grand prize to be announced during the season.

Kristi Widmar, public relations manager for the West region for Weight Watchers, said the company is excited about the Admirals initiative.

For starters, it will expose the Weight Watchers program to a lot of hockey fans -- male and female -- in a familiar venue.

"You need to make it convenient," Widmar said. "That's one of the big things we hear from people. To have meetings in a venue that is all about fun, where people can show up with their spouse or their buddy and get there a little early and listen to great tips about eating healthy, we think that's great."

Widmar and Greenberg said that the program would appeal to men and women, couples and singles.

"The big stereotype is that Weight Watchers is all about women," Widmar said. "But, we really do have more and more male members. We did an online program for men and it got a great response. We had tips on there like the lowest-calorie light beers and what kind of brats to eat.

"Once people get going on the program and start seeing results, they love it."

Greenberg said that the Admirals would make promotional announcements during games. His own weight-loss progress will be tracked with scoreboard updates. So far, Greenberg said he has lost about nine pounds.

"That's pressure, but it's a good pressure," he said of the scoreboard shots. "The great thing about Weight Watchers is that you don't have to buy anything. You can buy food at the meetings, but you don't have to. And, you can eat whatever you want. You just have to keep track of what you eat and why you're eating it. You really learn how to eat. Once you do that, it's striking how quickly the weight comes off."

Asked about his personal goals, Greenberg said: "I don't anticipate walking out to center ice with my shirt off, but it will help me be in better shape. I want to be able to chase my kid around the backyard for longer than 30 seconds before I say 'That's enough, honey. You go play now.'"

Widmar credited Greenberg's enthusiasm and his innovative idea. "That's what's great about Jon - he's so open about being out there," she said. "We've never tried anything like this. Word got out on this (program) and we've already had calls from NASCAR and a few pro football teams."