Bill Goren started coordinating the organization's business operations about 11 months after the Austin Toros won the 2012 NBA D-league championship. Prior to March, he worked for sports teams including the Houston Astros and the Detroit Pistons.

In addition to overseeing the Toros budget, Goren organizes game time entertainment, nonprofit partnerships and marketing campaigns. Some of this season's promotions include $3 beers on Thursdays, a college night and fan appreciation nights. Goren said the organization draws spectators and season ticket holders from Liberty Hill to South Austin and as far west as Marble Falls. As a development league team, the Toros are affiliated with the San Antonio Spurs.

The Toros started with a win during the first home game of the season Dec. 1 at the Cedar Park Center, 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park. The team has games scheduled through April.

What do you have planned for this basketball season?

I think we are challenged with awareness as to who the Austin Toros are and where we play. So a lot of the work staff and I are putting together is really trying to spread the word and use what we have in marketing to kind of target [our] market. And then we want to use our relationship with the Spurs. They did well last year, and they're doing well this year, so using that relationship to bolster the brand here is really important to us.

I think in general, we are going to strive every game to produce a great product for people. That is part of me being here and being a part of the organizations I've been in. [The Toros] always really pushed the envelope of doing the best they can for their fan base. ... Because at the end of the day, it's entertainment. If you just went home and turned on your TV and turned the volume off, it wouldn't be that exciting. But the music and announcers and in-game entertainment really adds to the event.

What's the draw for local residents?

For the families, it's a great way to spend time with your family. That's really the pitch. It's a very family-friendly environment. We are never crossing the line where it's inappropriate with the music and dancers or anything. We really try to focus on being a family-friendly environment. That speaks a lot to where we play in Cedar Park. And for the Spurs fans, it's about our success and who we've pushed up. ... We had the opportunity to see four guys that played for us last year in the [NBA] playoffs. So for the Spurs fans, that's the kicker. It's almost like you come [to Cedar Park] and you discover them. And then when they [play for the Spurs], you just have so much more ownership.

Do you foresee the Toros winning another championship this year?

It's hard to predict with minor-league sports because we could lose two or three guys to other teams or the Spurs. It changes the whole team. Our affiliate players can only go to the Spurs, but our [seven] nonaffiliated players can be picked up by other teams. Every game is streamed on YouTube, so a lot of that is used for scouting. I watch all of our away games that way. It's a great product for us because without a television deal, it can really spread the word. It gives fans an opportunity to stay connected with us.