Idaho's Cunningham Named WCHL Executive of the Year
April 12, 2002 - West Coast Hockey League (WCHL) News Release
BOISE, Idaho - The West Coast Hockey League today announced that John Cunningham of the Idaho Steelheads has been named WCHL Executive of the Year.
"John Cunningham is the epitome of a professional," said WCHL Acting Commissioner Adam Keller. "John is one of the hardest working individuals in the league and his primary concern is ensuring that all attendees of Steelheads games have an enjoyable experience. He treats everyone with respect and in turn has earned a large amount of respect within the WCHL."
Cunningham, Vice President of Business Operations for the Steelheads, has been instrumental in the off-ice success of one of minor league hockey's strongest franchises over the past two seasons. The Steelheads have maintained near capacity crowds for each of the past two seasons, while improving their on-ice performance with consecutive Northern Division titles.
"John's leadership on the business side of our operation has been just as important as John Olver's leadership on the team side," stated Diamond Sports President Bill Waller. "John is the behind the scenes guy who makes it all work and doesn't always get the credit, he is truly deserving of this award."
Cunningham joined the Steelheads in September of 2000 after working 16 months as the General Manager of the 5,000-seat Bank of America Centre in Boise. That followed a five-year stint as General Manager of the Boise Hawks professional baseball team from 1993 to 1998. He was voted the Northwest League Executive of the Year in 1996 after the Hawks broke attendance records in consecutive seasons in 1994 and 1995.
Cunningham, a native of Cranston, Rhode Island, is a 1988 graduate of Bryant College, where he received a degree in Accounting. His active involvement in community endeavors with the Steelheads and Boise Hawks has had a profound effect on the Boise community for much of the past 10 years.
Previous Winners
2000-2001 John Tull, Fresno Falcons
1999-2000 Matt Riley, Bakersfield Condors
1998-1999 Frank Colarusso, Tacoma Sabercats
West Coast Hockey League Stories from April 12, 2002
- Gold Kings Win 3-1 - Colorado Gold Kings
- Frsno Falcons Repeat as WCHL's Organization of the Year - WCHL
- Idaho's Cunningham Named WCHL Executive of the Year - WCHL
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