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Blaze take home two AFL awards

June 12, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Utah Blaze News Release


LAS VEGAS - Following an extremely successful inaugural season - both on and off the field - the Utah Blaze were recognized with two prestigious awards: the Commissioner's Award, given to the Arena Football League's organization of the year, and the Best Support Staff Award during the ArenaBall Award Ceremony this past weekend.

The Commissioner's Award, which is voted on by the staff of the AFL's New York and Chicago offices, rewards excellence in the front office, as well as achievement on the field.

"Winning the Commissioner's Award is a tremendous honor for our entire organization," said JOHN GARFF, Blaze owner and COO. "It's a great way of acknowledging the dedicated and passionate efforts of our front office staff, coaches and players."

The Blaze support staff, led by Head Athletic Trainer KEVIN SEMANS, Head Equipment Manager HAGEN FEATHERSTONE and Equipment Manager DARIN FEATHERSTONE earned the Support Staff in their rookie AFL seasons.

The Blaze also boasted top honors at the box office, as they led the AFL in attendance and ticket revenue. Utah welcomed a total of 123,985 fans to the Delta Center for an average of 15,498 per game, including four sellouts (Dallas on February 4th, San Jose on March 4th, Los Angeles on April 15th, and Kansas City on May 12th).

In competition, the Blaze ended the regular season with a 7-9 mark and advanced to the postseason. The Blaze also finished their inaugural regular season by establishing several team and individual expansion records. Utah's offense, guided by AFL Hall of Fame head coach DANNY WHITE, set six expansion team records.

This season also brought new individual expansion records for SIAHA BURLEY (5-10, 185, Central Florida) and STEVE VIDETICH (6-2, 200, N.C. State).

Burley, who earned Second Team All-Arena recognition, finished the season by setting new expansion marks in receptions (136), receiving yards (1,934), and receiving touchdowns (44), while earning top honors in the AFL with most yards gained this season, the second highest (Arizona's CALVIN SCHEXNAYDER, 1,982 in 1998) in AFL history. Burley finished ahead of 2006 Offensive Player of the Year, Colorado's DAMIAN HARRELL, who finished with 1,920.

The career record book also took a hit when Videtich became the all-time leader in kicking points with 1,381 career points, while setting two new expansion marks for PATs attempted (113) and made (106).

The Utah Blaze led the AFL in attendance and qualified for the postseason in just their first season. Season tickets for the 2007 are now available by logging onto www.utahblaze.com or by calling the Blaze ticket office at (801) 257-3111.

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