McBurney Named Vice President and General Manager of Extreme and Prairie Thunder
March 17, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Bloomington PrairieThunder News Release
Bloomington native and Normal Community High School Graduate Jerry McBurney has been hired for the dual role of Vice President/General Manager of the Bloomington Extreme of the United Indoor Football League and the Bloomington Prairie Thunder of the United Hockey League. McBurney will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of both teams, and will oversee both business operations and football/hockey operations.
"We're happy to have Jerry onboard as he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about the game," said Extreme Owner Ed Brady.
McBurney returns to Bloomington after spending over fourteen years working in the National Football League (NFL), American Hockey League (AHL) and Arena Football League (AFL). He spent five seasons as the Sales Manager of the Miami Dolphins, where he was responsible for the sale and leasing of the Executive Suites and Club Seating at Joe Robbie Stadium (currently Dolphins Stadium), and helped the Dolphins set an attendance record during the 1996 season.
In 1997, McBurney accepted the position of Sales Manager with the San Diego Chargers. He was responsible for setting up the initial sales and operations plan for the Chargers Gold Club, a premium Club Level and Executive Suite expansion added to Qualcomm Stadium as part of a $78 million renovation project. Upon completion of the project, McBurney was promoted to Director of Premium Seating and Ticket Sales. In 2002, McBurney was named Chairman of the National Football League Ticket Sales Committee.
Following the start of the 2003 NFL season, McBurney accepted the position of Executive Vice President/COO with the Utah Grizzlies of the American Hockey League. The Grizzlies were the Primary Affiliate to the NHL's Dallas Stars during the 2003-04 season. Prior to the start of the 2004-05 season, McBurney helped facilitate an affiliation agreement with the Phoenix Coyotes. The Grizzlies served as the Primary Affiliate to the Coyotes during the 2004-05 season.
In May of 2005, McBurney was hired as part of a management team to help launch an expansion Arena Football League franchise in Salt Lake City, and served as Director of Sales following the launch. The Utah Blaze, coached by former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Danny White, currently rank near the top of the AFL in revenues and attendance.
McBurney graduated from Normal Community High School in 1986, where he lettered in football and basketball. He graduated cum laude from Illinois State University with a degree in Economics, and was named Academic Program Scholar by the Department of Economics in 1990. McBurney received a Master's Degree in Sports Administration from St. Thomas University in Miami Florida in 2003.
Jerry and his wife Beth have a daughter, Maddie (2), and will be having their second child on Tuesday, March 21st in Salt Lake City.
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