Dave Zygaj Named NLL Executive of the Year
Published on May 7, 2007 under National Lacrosse League (NLL) News Release
The naming of the 2007 National Lacrosse League season award winners continues today with the announcement of the 2007 NLL Executive of the Year Award, won by Buffalo Bandits Director of Lacrosse Operations Dave Zygaj. The league also announced today that Ty Pilson of the Calgary Sun has won the "Tom Borrelli Award" for NLL Writer of the Year for 2007 and the league revealed the winners of the 2007 Team Executive Award winners, honoring the individuals who work behind the scenes.
DAVE ZYGAJ NAMED EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Buffalo Bandits Executive wins league honor
Dave Zygaj wins the 2007 National Lacrosse League Executive of the Year Award. Zygaj serves as Director of Lacrosse Operations for the Buffalo Bandits and has done so for the past two seasons. Beyond putting a winning product on the floor, Zygaj has helped generate an increased energy around the Bandits in Buffalo. In Zygaj's first two seasons with the club, average attendance has risen from just over 10,000 fans a game in 2005 to over 15,000 fans a game this season, including a sell-out of 18,690 for the Bandits' home opener on January 12th.
Zygaj, a Buffalo native, also serves on the both the league's Expansion Committee and Player Relations Committee. As a member of the league's Expansion Committee, Zygaj worked with a group of NLL executives to help secure two new franchises this past season, in New York (Titans) and Chicago (Shamrox).
On the floor Zygaj has worked with Bandits Head Coach and General Manager Darris Kilgour to keep a veteran lineup intact, while adding some key players that have helped Buffalo to a 21-11 record over the past two seasons. In Zygaj's two seasons with Buffalo, the Bandits have secured a playoff berth both times and they hosted four playoff games, including the 2006 National Lacrosse League Championship Game.
Previous winners of the award include; Angela Batinovich (2006), Les Bartley (2005), Steve Govett (2004), Brad Banister (2003), Tom Mayenknecht (2002) and Russ Cline (2001).
TY PILSON WINS "TOM BORRELLI AWARD" FOR WRITER OF THE YEAR
Calgary Roughnecks beat writer for the Calgary Sun has covered team since inception
The winner of the "Tom Borrelli Award" presented to the Writer of the Year for 2007, is Ty Pilson of the Calgary Sun. Pilson serves as the Calgary Roughnecks' beat writer for the Calgary daily newspaper as well as writing NLL columns for Inside Lacrosse Magazine. In his time covering the Roughnecks and the NLL as a whole, Pilson has established himself as one of the leading journalists covering the league.
Pilson has been covering the NLL since the league announced its expansion to Calgary in March of 2001.
Previous winners of the "Tom Borrelli Award" for Writer of the Year, include; Sal Maiorana (2006, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle) and Mike Korreen (2005, Toronto Sun).
LEAGUE ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL TEAM EXECUTIVE AWARDS
The National Lacrosse League has also announced the winners of the 2007 Team Executive Awards, which were created to honor those who work behind the scenes.
2007 Team Executive Awards:
Ticket Sales Executive of the Year - Paul Brosseau, Edmonton Rush
Marketing Executive of the Year - Tom Garrity, Minnesota Swarm
Operations Executive of the Year - Barb Kozuh, Arizona Sting
Sponsorships Executive of the Year - Yvonne Fox, Toronto Rock
Public Relations Executive of the Year - Pauline Hughes, Edmonton Rush
2007 Other Team Awards:
Equipment Manager of the Year - Ryan Gage, Rochester Knighthawks
Athletic Trainer of the Year - Dave Murray, Toronto Rock
The team executive awards are voted on by the Governors and General Managers of the league's thirteen member clubs. Members of the league media also vote on the Public Relations Executive of the Year Award.
The award announcements will continue on Tuesday when the league will announce the Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Team.
The league will announce its season award winners leading up to the 2007 National Lacrosse League Championship presented by Edge Active Care on May 12th. The game will be played at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona at 4PM Eastern/1PM Pacific. The Rochester Knighthawks and the Arizona Sting will meet in the championship game. The game will be broadcast live on VERSUS in the US. In Canada, Sportsnet will air the game in all regions in a same-day tape delay broadcast at 7PM Eastern/4PM Pacific.
2007 NLL Season Awards
Monday 4/30
Sportsmanship Award
Tracey Kelusky, Calgary Roughnecks
Tuesday 5/1
Defensive Player of the Year (for a defenseman, non-goaltender)
Ryan Cousins, Minnesota Swarm
Transition Player of the Year
Steve Toll, Rochester Knighthawks
Wednesday 5/2
Progressive Goaltender of the Year
Anthony Cosmo, San Jose Stealth
Thursday 5/3
"Les Bartley Award" for Head Coach of the Year
Ed Comeau, Rochester Knighthawks
Friday 5/4
General Manager of the Year
Marty O'Neil, Minnesota Swarm
Monday 5/7
Executive of the Year
Dave Zygaj, Buffalo Bandits
"The Tom Borrelli Award" for Writer of the Year
Ty Pilson, Calgary Sun
Ticket Sales Executive of the Year - Paul Brosseau, Edmonton Rush
Marketing Executive of the Year - Tom Garrity, Minnesota Swarm
Operations Executive of the Year - Barb Kozuh, Arizona Sting
Sponsorships Executive of the Year - Yvonne Fox, Toronto Rock
Public Relations Executive of the Year - Pauline Hughes, Edmonton Rush
Equipment Manager of the Year - Ryan Gage, Rochester Knighthawks
Athletic Trainer of the Year - Dave Murray, Toronto Rock
Tuesday 5/8
Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Team
Wednesday 5/9
First and Second All-Pro Teams
Thursday 5/10
Dodge Nitro Most Valuable Player
Saturday 5/12
2007 National Lacrosse League Championship presented Edge Active Care
National Lacrosse League Stories from May 7, 2007
- The Fan AM 1060 to broadcast Champion's Cup Final - Arizona Sting
- NLL Recognizes Rush Front Office - Edmonton Rush
- Zygaj Named NLL Executive of the Year - Buffalo Bandits
- Swarm's Tom Garrity Named NLL Marketing Executive of the Year - Minnesota Swarm
- Dave Zygaj Named NLL Executive of the Year - NLL
- Sportsnet To Air Championship In Canada - NLL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
