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Atnas Maeko Named International Player of the Year

August 15, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Stockton Lightning News Release


CHICAGO - Stockton Lightning OS ATNAS MAEKO has been named the Gridiron Enterprises International Player of the Year, as selected by a vote of af2 head coaches and beat writers.

Maeko, in just 12 games played, led the Lightning in receiving yards with 1,343 and ranked second in the af2 in receiving yards per game at 111.9. He ranked second on the team with 80 receptions and 17 receiving touchdowns on the season. The rookie made an immediate impact when he entered the lineup, catching 15 passes for 314 yards and six touchdowns in his first two Arena Football games. Maeko displayed a nose for the end zone, scoring at least one touchdown in ten of his 12 games.

Maeko calls Canada home but is originally from Mozambique. He played football at Champlain Junior College after high school and then transferred to St. Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The former Saint Mary's Husky, who was selected to the National Conference All-af2 Second Team on Monday, was one of 15 International players on af2 rosters this season. Fellow international player and Albany Conquest K Vincenzo Cirrincione (Italy) earned American Conference All-af2 First Team accolades.

Maeko is the third recipient of the International Player of the Year Award, joining past winners Henriik Juul-Nielsen (Green Bay - 2005), representing Denmark, and Takuya Furutani (Louisville - 2004) from Japan.

The 2006 ArenaCup playoffs continue this weekend with the Conference Championship games. Both games will be played on Saturday. In the American Conference Championship, the South Division Champion Florida Firecats host the East Division Champion Green Bay Blizzard at 7:30 p.m. ET. The National Conference Championship will feature the West Division Champion Spokane Shock hosting the Arkansas Twisters at 10:00 p.m. ET. The winner of each Conference Championship will meet at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the 2006 ArenaCup on Saturday, August 26. Tickets are available by logging on to www.ticketpop.com or by calling (866) 994-0001.

About Gridiron Enterprises Gridiron Enterprises is the founding member of the Arena Football League. On March 27, 1990, Jim Foster was issued a United States patent for a football game system and method of play. That patent forms the basis for the unique football game played by teams in the Arena Football League and the af2. The af2 was conceived by Gridiron and proposed to the Arena Football League as an effective means to expand and market the excitement of the football/entertainment product. Gridiron has also been instrumental in the international development efforts of the sport of Arena Football. Working in conjunction with the AFL, Gridiron has helped put on 21 international exhibitions worldwide. In addition to its football enterprises, Gridiron provides sports entertainment and consulting services.

Remaining 2006 af2 Award Announcements:

Lineman of the Year - Wednesday, Aug. 16 Rookie of the Year - Thursday, Aug. 17 Asst. Coach & Head Coach of the Year - Friday, Aug. 18 Defensive Player of the Year - Monday, Aug. 21 Offensive Player of the Year - Tuesday, Aug. 22 Ironman of the Year - Tuesday, Aug. 22



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