John JT Turner Named NAFL Commissioner

The North American Football League is proud to announce as their new commissioner John JT Turner.

(PRWEB) February 15, 2006 -- John “JT” Turner comes to the NAFL with over 20 years successful sports management, coaching, fundraising, education, and professional sports experience. Turner graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Science degree, where he played four years on the Hurricane football team, and then moved onto the National Football League. Turner played nine years in the NFL from 1978 to 1987, eight years for the Minnesota Vikings, and one year for the San Diego Chargers.

JT has coached high school level basketball, track & field, and football. He was an assistant football coach at St. Thomas University. In 1995 JT was the first head coach hired for the Mid American Football League (MFL) coaching for three seasons with the Minneapolis Lumberjacks and the St. Paul Sting, before taking on the duties of MFL Commissioner from 1998-99. JT moved to the Arena level for one year in 1998 coaching the Minnesota Monsters.

After the MFL, JT started with the Women’s Professional Football League (WPFL) in 1999. JT served as Director of Football Operations and head coach with Minnesota Vixens for the “No Limits Tour”. In 2000 he became the WPFL’s Commissioner where he supervised staff members and volunteers, negotiated sponsorship agreements, created WPFL Rules & Regulations, was responsible for oversight of football operations for ten teams nation-wide, coordinating press conferences and promotional activities.

From 1987 to 1999 JT operated a separate business, JTJ Enterprises, where he organized and designed celebrity athletic events, developed fundraising events for public and private sector businesses and schools, directed and developed charity board/committee activities, marketed advertising and sponsorship packages. Also during this time he designed and coordinated football camps as well as clinics for youth and adults.

JT resides in Minneapolis, MN with his family and eight year-old son. Most of JT’s spare time is dedicated to racquetball and serving on the board of the Minnesota Racquetball Association.

“I am excited to bring JT aboard. JT is proven not only in professional football, but in league operations as well. JT will oversee the rules enforcement of the league as well as create new youth oriented programs,” said Rob Licopoli, NAFL President.

Professional Associations & Volunteer Activity:
-   National Football League Player Association (NFLPA)   1978 - present
-   Minnesota Racquetball Association - board member (MRA)   2002 - Present
-   National Football Foundation - board member (NFF)            2002 – Present
-   National Football League Alumni Associate         2003 - Present
-   Mid-America Football League - board member         1995 – 1999
-   Mid-America Football League – Commissioner      1998 – 1999
-   Women’s Professional Football League-Commissioner                2000
-   Athletes Fighting Substance Abuse - volunteer         1980 - 1988
-   D.A.R.E. Celebrity Speaker - volunteer          1978 - 1987

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