Florence appointed Horsemen President
September 23, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Kentucky Horsemen News Release
Lexington, KY--The Lexington Horsemen today announced that Ron Borkowski, who has served as the teamÂ’s president since the National Indoor Football League franchise began in 2002, has resigned his position to pursue other interests.
Van Florence, the director of the University of Kentucky Basketball Museum and the head of the universityÂ’s Committee of 101, a service-based support group for the UK Athletics Association, has assumed the role of president and general manager of the team.
The Horsemen, largely comprised of former players from area universities and colleges, captured the 2004 NIFL championship last month, compiling a 14-4 record in the franchiseÂ’s second season.
Borkowski first served as the general manager of the Lexington Thoroughblades, a minor league hockey team that was the cityÂ’s first entry into professional sports. He oversaw the development of the organization from its infancy until the franchise moved to Cleveland. Borkowski will remain with the Horsemen organization as a manager of Lexington Sports Ventures, LLC.
“The past two years have been very satisfying,” said Borkowski. “It’s been very rewarding to see the Horsemen go from just an idea to a national championship. To see the players, coaches and staff gel as a team on their way to a title this year has been a wonderful experience.”
Florence is a familiar face around UK Athletics. The 101 Club serves as ushers for most home sporting events on campus. In July 2000, Florence was brought in to rescue the struggling UK Basketball Museum, which had found itself with a debt service of over $3 million two years after opening. During his tenure, Florence has lowered that debt to $1.9 million. Florence will retain his positions with the 101 Club and the UK Museum while serving with the Horsemen.
“I just want to thank the museum board and the Lexington Center Corporation management for allowing me to accept this new challenge,” Florence said. “This franchise has obviously found its niche in the Lexington marketplace, and, as with UK basketball, my goal will be to help it maintain that championship level.”
For more information about the Horsemen, please call 859-422-PASS or visit www.lexingtonhorsemen.com
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National Indoor Football League Stories from September 23, 2004
- Florence appointed Horsemen President - Kentucky Horsemen
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