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NHL Media Veteran to Join Thunder Front Office

November 26, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Portland Thunder News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Thunder have named Rob Boelke (pron. Bell-Key) as Director of Media Relations and Digital Marketing, Team President Brian Sandy announced. Boelke most recently served as the broadcast technical director and producer for the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) and the Tampa Bay Storm (AFL).

"I am delighted to be joining such a promising organization in the Arena Football League, and I am looking forward to working with Terry (Emmert), Brian (Sandy), Coach (Mike) Hohensee, as well as with the media and our fans to build on the successes of the inaugural season and further solidify the Thunder as a premier franchise in the AFL" said Boelke.

Boelke, 27, spent the last four years with Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment, the parent company for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Storm, and the Amalie Arena, in a variety of media based roles, most notably as the broadcast producer and technical director for both clubs. Rob's experience with the Arena Football League dates back to 1993, when he attended the first of over 125 Tampa Bay Storm games before eventually becoming the team's media relations assistant in 2011.

"Rob brings a wealth of major league media experience to our organization and to the Portland market. Fans can look forward to an enhanced Thunder presence in both traditional and social media" said Sandy.

A native of Clearwater, Florida, Boelke is a 2010 graduate of Tampa's University of South Florida, with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications for Media and Culture. He later spent three seasons on the USF Bulls broadcast staff as a game-day coordinator, working alongside the manager of game-day coordination for the NFL, Ralph Beaver.

Rob joins the Portland Thunder front office on December 1st.

Open Tryouts December 1-2

The Hampton Inn Portland/Clackamas - Portland Thunder Open Tryouts take place on December 1-2 at the Oregon Soccer Center in Clackamas. At least one participant is guaranteed to make it to training camp with the squad. The tryout is open to anyone over the age of 18 who has completed high school and is not currently under contract with any professional football team. For more information visit www.portlandthunder.com/team/tryouts or call Rob Boelke at 727-644-4549.



Arena Football League Stories from November 26, 2014


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