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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Esteemed group will select greatest In AFL history

September 14, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK - The Arena Football League's 20th Season kicks off in January 2006 and among the many activities, tributes and special events taking place will be a season-long celebration of the league's history. As a result, the Arena Football League has formed the 20th Season Historical Committee.

The esteemed group consists of a diverse mix of AFL personalities all with a strong knowledge of the league and its history. The members are: HOWARD BALZER, a journalist who has covered the AFL since its inception; HUNKIE COOPER, a former player and current assistant coach who holds the record for career all-purpose yards; DARYL HAMMOND, an active player who will begin his 16th season in January; MIKE HOHENSEE, head coach of the Chicago Rush and the first player to throw an AFL touchdown; JOE KAUFFMAN, the president of ArenaFan Online; GEORGE LAFRANCE, a former player who won five ArenaBowl championships; BILL NIRO, an AFL founder; and GENE NUDO, an Arizona Rattlers executive who's career has spanned 19 of the AFL's 20 seasons.

The committee will determine, among other things, the 20 greatest players, games, moments, teams and highlights in AFL history. The results will be released at various times throughout the 20th Season. AFL fans will be able to voice their opinions on the AFL's Web site.

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20TH SEASON HISTORICAL COMMITTEE BIOS

HOWARD BALZER: While a columnist with The Sporting News in 1986, Balzer wrote the first national story published on Arena Football following the test game in Rockford, Illinois. He was also a game analyst in the early days of the AFL. Balzer is in his 30th year covering professional football and is currently an editor and writer for USA Today Sports Weekly, a radio talk-show host in St. Louis, and an NFL contributor on ESPN's Cold Pizza.

HUNKIE COOPER: A two-time Ironman of the Year (1999, 2000), Cooper is regarded as one of the most intense players in AFL history. He won two ArenaBowl championships (1994, 1997) with the Arizona Rattlers and holds the all-time record for career all-purpose yards (20,587). Cooper retired after the 2005 season and begins his first season as an assistant coach with the Utah Blaze in 2006.

DARYL HAMMOND: The longest tenured player in AFL history, Hammond will begin his 16th season in 2006. He has been named to two All-Arena teams (1995-96) and four All-Ironman teams (2000-02, 2003, 2005). Hammond, who continues to play both offense and defense, will be 38 years old when the 2006 season commences in January.

MIKE HOHENSEE: The current head coach of the Chicago Rush, Hohensee's AFL career has spanned all 20 seasons as both a player and coach. As a player, he threw the first TD in league history in 1987 and participated in ArenaBowl I. Hohensee is the third-winningest head coach in AFL history, compiling a 95-85 (.528) record, nine playoff appearances and five division titles. He has led the Rush to within one game of the ArenaBowl in three of the past four seasons.

JOE KAUFFMAN: A fan of the Tampa Bay Storm since their inception in 1991, Kauffman currently serves as President and Editor-in-Chief of ArenaFan Online, the leading AFL fan Web site. He has been an active member of the Arena Football Internet community since 1995 and joined the staff of ArenaFan in 2000 as a beat writer covering the Storm. Kauffman has attended over 110 AFL games in nine venues, including six ArenaBowls.

GEORGE LAFRANCE: One of the most dominant players in the AFL's first decade, LaFrance won five ArenaBowls (1988-89, 1992, 1995-96) and played in eight. He is regarded as one the AFL's most clutch performers and won two MVP awards (1989 & 1991). LaFrance is among the leaders in most career kick return and scoring categories.

BILL NIRO: Niro, along with AFL founder JIM FOSTER and JERRY KURZ, comprise Gridiron Enterprises, formed in 1989 to promote Arena Football by presenting games in the U.S. and Europe, and to protect the worldwide intellectual properties and brand identities of the AFL. Gridiron is the Founding Member of the AFL and retains an ownership interest in the league. Niro serves on the AFL's Board of Directors.

GENE NUDO: Currently Vice President/General Manager for the Arizona Rattlers, Nudo's AFL tenure began when he coached one of the teams that participated in the AFL's test game in Rockford, Illinois in 1986. Since then, he has won the prestigious Founders Award (2002) and is the only person to win the Executive of the Year award three times.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from September 14, 2005


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