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Tsamis, Calfapietra NL's Top Managers

August 27, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Portland Forest Dragons News Release


DURHAM, N.C. – New Jersey skipper George Tsamis and Gary manager Joe Calfapietra were named Daktronics Northern League Managers of the Year on Tuesday.

East Divison managers and media chose Tsamis and Central Division managers and media picked Calfapietra.

Tsamis, in his second year as manager and player procurement director in New Jersey, has led his team to a 58-26 record and clinched the first half. His team currently has a four game lead over Elmira in the second half.

In four years as a manager Tsamis' team's have shown steady improvement. His Waterbury (Conn.) Spirit team went 36-50 in 1999 and 40-46 in 2000. He posted a 45-45 mark last year for New Jersey and led the Jackals to the Northern League Championship over Winnipeg in the finals.

"I want to thank the organization for giving me the chance," Tsamis said. "And it wouldn't be possible without the players because this wouldn't happen without them."

Tsamis was a bench coach in Waterbury during the 1998 season after spending 1997 as a player-coach in Bangor (Maine) in the Northeast League before it merged with the Northern League.

A former major league pitcher, Tsamis threw in 41 games for the Minnesota Twins in 1993. He was 1-2 with one save in 68 1-3 innings of relief.

Tsamis, 35, lives in Colchester, Conn. He attended Stetson University in Florida.

Calfapietra has spent all summer with his players on the road. RailCats Stadium construction was delayed during the off season, forcing the team on the road for the whole year. The RailCats have posted an admirable 32-51 record.

"It's been one of those trying years not having a home base, packing up every three days and trying to keep the players motivated each day," Calfapietra admitted. "This has been a haul for the coaching staff and the players all season with the travel we undertook. The guys approached it with the right manner, and they played hard under adverse circumstances. They did a great job and did me extremely proud."

Calfapietra managed during the 2000 and 2001 seasons for the Northern League's Allentown Ambassadors. He was a bench coach with Allentown and player procurement director from 1997-99. Prior to that he coached for a Prairie League team in Aberdeen, S.D., and was a coach in Duluth-Superior in 1994.

A former NAIA All-American at Eastern College in St. David, Pa., Calfapietra also coached at Villanova from 1994-97.

"I'm extremely honored to have the likes of the Northern League managers voting and considering me for this," Calfapietra said. "For them to even consider me, I'm overwhelmed really."

Daktronics is a nationally known manufacturer of electronic scoring and informational display equipment including LED video replay boards. The Brookings, S.D., company can be reached at daktronics.com.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from August 27, 2002


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