Jon Bon Jovi and John Elway honored with Founders Award
June 8, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
LAS VEGAS â Philadelphia Soul co-owner JON BON JOVI and Colorado Crush co-owner JOHN ELWAY were named co-recipients of the Founders Award, highlighting the Arena Football League's business awards for the 2005 season.
Other award winners included Georgia Force President DICK SULLIVAN, who was named Executive of the Year; the Los Angeles Avengers, who received the Commissioner's Award; and the Nashville Kats, who earned Support Staff of the Year.
The Founders Award is presented annually to the organization or individual that has made significant contributions to the Arena Football League and its growth. Bon Jovi and Elway starred in a series of award-winning mini-movies promoting the Arena Football League. The films were seen in theaters throughout the country prior to the start of the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
Sullivan earned recognition as Executive of the Year for his work with the Georgia Force. One of the most respected marketing minds in professional football, Sullivan was appointed President of the Force when Atlanta Falcon's owner ARTHUR BLANK purchased the team last year. In his first AFL season, Sullivan oversaw the team's move back to the Philips Arena, which resulted in franchise record crowds.
Presented annually to the most outstanding franchise, the 2005 Commissioner's Award goes to the Los Angeles Avengers. It marked the second time in four years that the team, owned by CASEY WASSERMAN, has earned the award.
Created to honor the top medical and equipment staff in the Arena Football League, the Support Staff of the Year award goes to the Nashville Kats. It marked the first time the Kats support staff, led by Head Athletic Trainer Bob Fresorger and Head Equipment Manager Sarge Cordery, won the award. As head equipment manager of the Carolina Cobras, Cordery won the same award in 2001.
Arena Football League Business Awards
Founder's Award
2005: Jon Bon Jovi and John Elway
2004: NBC
2003: Neal Pilson
2002: Gene Nudo
2001: Tim Marcum
2000: Ron Kurpiers
1999: ESPN
1998: Billy McGehee
1997: Vito "Babe" Parilli
1996: Perry Moss, Bill Niro, Jerry Kurz
1995: Carl Paganelli, Sr., Glen Mazula
1994: James Foster, Dennis Grapenthin
Executive of the Year
2005: Dick Sullivan, Georgia
2004: Rita LaBlanc, New Orleans
2003: John Elway, Colorado
2002: Todd Merkow, Los Angeles
2001: Brett Bender, Carolina
2000: Gene Nudo, Arizona
1999: Gene Nudo, Arizona
1998: Dan DeVos, Grand Rapids
1997: Gene Nudo, Arizona
1996: Jim Foster, Iowa
1995: Jim Foster, Iowa
1994: Joe Hennessy, Albany
1993: Bryan Colangelo, Arizona
1992: Eric Leins, Orlando
Commisioner's Award
2005: Los Angeles Avengers
2004: Chicago Rush
2003: Colorado Crush
2002: Dallas Desperados, Los Angeles Avengers
2001: Carolina Cobras
2000: Arizona Rattlers
1999: Arizona Rattlers
1998: Arizona Rattlers, Orlando Predators
1997: Arizona Rattlers, Nashville Kats
1996: Arizona Rattlers
1995: Orlando Predators
1994: Albany Firebirds
1993: Tampa Bay Storm
1992: Detroit Drive
Support Staff Of The Year
2005: Nashville Kats
2004: Georgia Force
2003: Georgia Force
2002: Indiana Firebirds
2001: Carolina Cobras
2000: Arizona Rattlers
1999: Buffalo Destroyers
1998: Arizona Rattlers
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 8, 2005
- Fremont Street Experience hosts ArenaBowl XIX FanFest June 10-11 - AFL I
- Aaron's AFL Dream Team to energize Las Vegas for ArenaBowl XIX - AFL I
- Force President Dick Sullivan named AFL Executive of the Year - Georgia Force
- Commissioner David Baker comments on the ArenaBowl - AFL I
- Damian Harrell named AFL Offensive Player of the Year - Colorado Crush
- Kats Support Staff Honored As AFL's Best - Nashville Kats
- Colorado OS Damian Harrell named AFL Offensive Player of the Year - AFL I
- ArenaBowl XIX injury report - AFL I
- Frantz undergoes successful surgery - San Jose SaberCats
- Jon Bon Jovi and John Elway honored with Founders Award - AFL I
- Rush names 2005 team award winners - Chicago Rush
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