AFA's Hall of Fame Induction Weekend a Success

Bloomingdale, Illinois was the site for the American Football Association's 29th Hall of Fame Induction Dinner on Friday October 23rd at the Indian Lakes Hilton in Bloomingdale, Illinois. Twenty Three individuals representing semi-pro football teams across the country were enshrined as 'legends' of their level.

Binghamton, NY (PRWEB) October 30, 2009

Bloomingdale, Illinois was the site for the American Football Association's 29th Hall of Fame Induction Dinner on Friday October 23rd at the Indian Lakes Hilton in Bloomingdale, Illinois. Twenty Three individuals representing semi-pro football teams across the country were enshrined as 'legends' of their level.

This year's semi-pro football enshrinement festivities began on Thursday evening with the annual AFA/HOF Alumni Huddle cocktail party. The "Huddle" provided attending HOF Alumni an opportunity to meet the new group of semi-pro football legends before they were inducted. Over the past 29 years the AFA has inducted 612 devoted and deserving former 341 players; 98 coaches; 78 executives; 26 officials; 21 pioneers; 20 media/historians; 12 trainer/equipment men; 6 associated with youth football; 5 involved with international semi-pro; 4 from the women's level; and even 1 'super fan'

On Friday evening, the Class of 2009 was honored by AFA Alumni, family and friends as they received their commemorative Semi-Pro Hall of Fame recognition plaques. Jordan Kopac (Class of '03) served as MC while former teammates and/or family members presented the new inductees to the dinner crowd. A slideshow accompanied each inductee's introduction which was followed by very sincere and touching testimony from each inductee. Interspersed during the program were auctions, raffles and even a live flute performance. The induction dinner event was also viewed by friends, family and fans around the world via live webcast.

Saturday morning, AFA President, Dave Burch presented organizational plans at the business meeting breakfast at the Indian Lakes Hilton. Highlights from the Board of Directors Meeting were presented along with comments from board members and discussions about how to promote additional membership in local alumni organizations.

This year's events were well received by all who attended based on some brief comments below:
"Banquet was very good meal and service was top notch speeches kept brief which helped it move on. Dave and Real family to be commended"

"My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. The food was very good and it was nice to visit with former teammates. Congratulations to the inductees and a job well done by the officers of the Travelers Alumni Association"

"The multimedia presentations and webcasts were outstanding; a first class affair that gets better each year"

"There is only one semipro football hall of fame and that is the American Football Association"

Our sincere thanks to Indian Lakes Hilton Staff, The Elmhurst Travelers, the Real Family, and the AFA Hall of Fame Committee for their hard work in making this another successful event.

The American Football Association is proud to present the names of those who will be enshrined into the AFA Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame as the "Class of 2009" (names in parentheses indicate sponsors of the new inductees):

Players Category:
John "Johnny" Duncan - Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania - (Steve Oldt Larry Rydbom )
Frank "Buzz" Grady - Englewood, Florida - (Don Busch, Fritz Fiorelli, Pat Albanese, Jerry Schropp)
Mal Yarke - Wentzville, Missouri - (Roman Strzala, Norm Nissen, Joe Wolfe, Don Johnson)
Andre Holland - Bolingbrook Illinois - (Jim Nugent Cheri Kardas)
David "Skip" Hernandey,Sr. - Downers Grove, Illinois- ( Elmhurst Travelers Alumni)
Fred Robinson - Elgin, Illinois - (Greg Skowronski)
Mike Blazitz -Novi, Michigan - (Chuck McElligott)
Jeffery Hudson - Seattle, Washington - (William H. Coleman)
Joe Milek - Lake Forest, Illinois - (Ralph "Moose" Fahey)
Jay McGee - New Bedford, Massachusetts - (Peter O'Kane)
Mike Brennan - Hawley, Pennsylvania - (John Kennedy)
Torre Ossmo - Chicago, Illinois - (James Eric Avery)
Jay "Tug" Binstead - Salisbury, Maryland - (Joe Thomas, Jr.)
David Moulton - Fort Myers, Florida - (Larry Devoe)
Jim Bejna - Westchester, Illinois - (Chico Cain, Neal Anderson, Gary Thomas)
Eugene "Chick" Cichowski - Northbrook, Illinois - (Patrick O'Brien, Larry Schmidt, Al Klaeren, Ken Stone)

Executive Category:
Glenda Cain - S. Elgin, Illinois - (Pat Sharpe)
Stephen McAllister - Floral Park, New York - (Joe Loughran)

Officials Category:
James Kruschwitz - Gurnee, Illinois - (Craig Ochoa, Paul Whiteside)
Don Manchester - Chicago, Illinois - (Charlie Bliss)

Coaches Category:
Bill Alexander - Monroe, Washington - (Wes Fisher)
Harold "Harry" Hopple - Chambersburg, Pennsylvania - (Dave Bonsell, Richard Landis)
Charles "Chick" Rader - Scranton, Pennsylvania - (Mark Lloyd)

The webcast video of the Hall of Fame Inductions can now be viewed at:
Segment #1:
Segment #2:

Copies of this video can be obtained by contacting 315-782-8383: Office; 315-783-2171: Cell

View Photos from the AFA's Hall of Fame Weekend

View Slide Show

About the American Football Association:
The American Football Association is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax exempt corporation in its 28th year of operation and is dedicated to the advancement of adult (semi-pro) football from coast-to-coast. Our slogan is Semi Pro & Proud®. We are not affiliated with any other national semi-pro/minor league organization. The AFA, Hall of Fame, American Football News™ and AFA logo design are registered trademarks of the American Football Association. All other AFA-related trademarks are trademarks of the American Football Association.

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