Thunder pre-game honors feature eclectic mix

February 27, 2006 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Daytona Beach Thunder News Release


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - A Public Broadcasting executive, a former professional wrestler, and honoring the memory of a popular Daytona Beach football legend as well as the 2005 accomplishments of area football coaches and players will all come together during the Daytona Beach Thunder's pre-game ceremonies at its March 2 home opener.

Since the Daytona Beach Thunder's playing field is named "DBCC Public Broadcasting 15 Field," it is appropriate that the game ball presenter for the American Indoor Football League team's inaugural season home opener March 2 will be station general manager Bruce Dunn.

Dunn's delivery of the game ball to the officials will conclude the Thunder's pre-game ceremony, which will also feature former wrestler Kevin Nash officiating the coin toss, Warner Christian Academy football coach Andy Price and Mainland's Tony Wilson as the day's honorary coach and captain, and the late Tommy Durrance honored as the Thunder's first "Local Legend."

Dunn, who has been with Channel 15 since 1996, began his career in broadcasting 28 years ago, working at a PBS station in Athens, Ohio while pursuing his bachelor's degree in communication from Ohio University. He won his first emmy award while working as graphics manager for NBC during the 25th Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, and a second emmy for his work during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, GA.

Dunn also has extensive experience as a freelance producer and consultant for BET Sports, ABC Sports, NBC Sports and ESPN. Channel 15 will be the home of "Thirty Minutes of Thunder and Lightning" - the Thunder's television show beginning in March. Dunn has been an ardent supporter of the team during its developmental stage.

Now a Daytona Beach area resident, Nash has been one of the biggest names in professional wrestling since debuting as the body guard of Shawn Michaels. He won all three major titles, the Heavyweight, Intercontinental and Tag Team titles in the same calendar year - 1994 - the only wrestler to do so in the WWF, defeating Bob Backlund, Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) and the Headshrinkers, respectively. He headlined WrestleMania XI against Michaels. He recently appeared in the Adam Sandler movie "The Longest Yard."

In seven years at Warner Christian Academy, Price has guided the Eagles to 50 victories and two district championships. This year, the Eagles overcame the loss of one of its star players and advanced to within one game of the Class 1B state championship.

Wilson, who scored 13 touchdowns this year for Mainland - and doing it five different ways, accounted for over 1,300 total yards while catching 23 passes for 388 yards and six touchdowns as a receiver. Wilson was the 2005 Daytona Beach News-Journal Offensive Player of the Year, and also is a defending state champion in track and field in the 200 meters. He will being his college ball at the University of Georgia.

Durrance, who passed away last year, was a stellar player at Mainland High School and the University of Florida, where he earned the nickname "Touchdown Tommy" while playing alongside Gator legends John Reaves and Carlos Alvarez.

A threat both on the ground and in the air, Durrance scored a then-Southeastern Conference record of 18 combined touchdowns, which is still a UF record, along with Reidel Anthony, who tied it in 1996.



American Indoor Football Association Stories from February 27, 2006


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