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AFL Cleveland Gladiators

Seven Gladiators Recognized at AFL Awards

August 22, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Cleveland Gladiators News Release


Steve Thonn's Net10 Wireless Coach of the Year honor highlighted a banner evening for the Cleveland Gladiators at the 2014 Arena Football League Awards Ceremony at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland Thursday night. Gladiators Assistant Head Coach Ron Selesky was named Net10 Wireless Assistant Coach of the Year, while five Gladiators received All-Arena recognition. The Gladiators host the two-time defending champion Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XXVII Saturday at 8:00 p.m. at The Q. The Gladiators are making their first appearance in the AFL's title game.

Thonn, the 2014 Net10 Wireless Coach of the Year, guided the Gladiators to an AFL record 17 regular season victories in 2014, and will make his first head coaching appearance in an ArenaBowl on Saturday. Thonn's Gladiators opened the season 9-0; the best start in team history. Thonn first became an AFL head coach in 1998, and has 10 seasons of AFL head coaching experience. Thonn has been the head coach in Cleveland since 2010.

"I've been in Arena Football 26 years; I love the sport. To get the award and see Ron get the award; we owe it to our team. Our players are the ones that got it for us. It's an amazing accomplishment, but our ultimate goal is to get one more," Thonn said.

Selesky was named Net10 Wireless Assistant Coach of the Year for the 2014 season. Selesky coordinates the defense for the American Conference Champion Gladiators. En route to Cleveland's first ArenaBowl appearance, the Gladiators defense allowed just 43.4 points per game during the regular season; the third-fewest points allowed in the AFL and second-fewest allowed in the American Conference. The Gladiators finished the 2014 season with the third-best turnover margin in the AFL at plus-16, intercepting 25 passes and recovering 19 fumbles.

"It's really a testament to all the guys that did absolutely everything that we asked them to do, without blinking, without question. It shows perseverance, character, work ethic, and trust; all those things that you hear about that you hope your team can cultivate that we were able to do," Selesky said.

Wide receiver Dominick Goodman was one of three receivers named to the All-Arena First Team, and the only Gladiators offensive player to receive an All-Arena First Team selection. Goodman led the AFL with 156 receptions in 2014, and led Cleveland with 1,671receiving yards. Goodman totaled 34 receiving touchdowns during the regular season.

Quarterback Shane Austin was named to the All-Arena Second Team. Austin threw 99 touchdown passes to just 15 interceptions in the regular season. Center Shannon Breen also collected All-Arena Second Team honors on the offensive side of the ball. Breen finished his second season in a Gladiators uniform in 2014.

Defensively, Marrio Norman was named to the All-Arena First Team. Norman, who was signed by the National Football League's Baltimore Ravens prior to the postseason, led the Gladiators with 12 interceptions in 2014. His 12 interceptions were tied for the second-highest total in the league. Defensive lineman Willie McGinnis received All-Arena Second Team honors, notching a team-leading nine sacks on the season, placing him in the AFL's top ten.

The Gladiators host Arizona in ArenaBowl XXVII Saturday at 8:00 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. For tickets to ArenaBowl XXVII, go to www.clevelandgladiators.com, call 216-420-2222, or visit The Q box office or any Northern Ohio Discount Drug Mart. All fans in attendance will receive an exclusive ArenaBowl XXVII T-Shirt and a Gladiators Playoff Rally Towel courtesy of FirstMerit Bank. The Gladiators 2014 playoff run is presented by West Coast Chill.

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