Georgia Force Names Rockwell as New General Manager
Published on October 8, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release
ATLANTA, GA (October 8, 2003) â Eddie Rockwell, who has been general manager of the Atlanta Beat of the WUSA (Women's United Soccer Association) for the past two seasons, has been named the new general manager of the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League. Virgil Williams, owner of the Force, made the announcement.
"We are very pleased to have Eddie on board," Williams said. "His Atlanta franchise was the model operation of the women's pro soccer league and showed dramatic improvement each year under his leadership. He knows how to run a first rate professional sports team, he knows Atlanta and its sports community, and he has earned respect throughout sports. We are looking to him for great things.
Rockwell is a veteran of the sports business. Prior to working with the Beat, he was vice president of operations for the Columbus Crew and Crew Stadium of Major League Soccer, where he was named the Major League Soccer "Operations Executive of the Year". He worked for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games and World Cup USA 1994 prior to joining the Columbus team.
"I am very pleased to join the Georgia Force," Rockwell said. "The Arena Football League offers one of the best opportunities for any executive in sports today. It has been around for 18 years and continues to grow. Owners like Virgil Williams, John Elway, Jon Bon Jovi and Jerry Jones make it very appealing. And its relationships with the NFL and NBC are catalysts for future growth.
"It was important to my wife and I for us to stay in Atlanta," he continued. "This is an ideal situation for us in a lot of ways. The fact that it gives me a way to continue to work with sponsors and friends I've built over the past three years is very meaningful to me personally.
The Atlanta Beat was one of the two most successful teams in the WUSA, which recently ceased operations as a league. The team was highly successful at generating sponsorships, and under Rockwell's management, there was a million dollar improvement in the team's bottom line this past season.
"Eddie has been a tremendous asset to the WUSA for the three years he was with the Atlanta Beat," said Lynn Morgan, president of the WUSA. "As the general manager of the team for the past two seasons, Eddie continued to develop and strengthen one of the WUSA's most successful teams, both on and off the field. Eddie's vision and leadership will be an incredible asset to the Georgia Force and will translate into long term growth and success for the franchise.
The Georgia Force will start their third season of play in the AFL when the 2004 season kicks off in February. The league continues to grow in its 18th season, recently adding New Orleans, Philadelphia and Austin to the 16 teams that competed last season. A network-TV sport, the AFL will celebrate its 2nd season on NBC in 2004. Georgia Force season tickets are on sale now and can be reserved with most major credit cards by calling (770) 813-7610 or visit: www.georgiaforce.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 8, 2003
- Philadelphia Soul Add Three Players Through Expansion Draft - Philadelphia Soul
- Georgia Force Names Rockwell as New General Manager - Georgia Force
- New Teams Take Shape - AFL I
- L.A. Avengers acquire OL/DL Doug Lytle - Los Angeles Avengers
- New Orleans VooDoo Pick Two in AFL Expansion Draft - New Orleans VooDoo
- Rush Lose Bowick, Taylor in Expansion Draft - Chicago Rush
- Rampage Add Three Players from Expansion Draft - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Desperados Lose Five in AFL Expansion Draft - Dallas Desperados
- Rush to Read Kicks off Third Year - Chicago Rush
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.
