UIFL Announces Fan Advisory Board

[Gene]

April 20, 2010, Canton, OH – The UIFL is proud to announce their 2011 Fan Advisory Board (FAB). This is a group of people appointed by the league to ensure that the UIFL is the most exciting product in minor league sports and give the UIFL fans a voice in the implementation of operations and excitement for all teams.
The FAB will help the UIFL leadership and Team leadership by providing insight, suggestions, and feedback from a fans perspective; members will participate in conference calls with league management, and sometimes team management; members can be appointed to serve for additional terms, to be determined by the UIFL management and will serve a two year term; members will be listed on the “official” league website, along with an email address for other fans to communicate with FAB members and also have bios posted as well as assist in the updating of the UIFLFans.com website; members will receive special invitations to league meetings, and other league events while acting a s a positive voice for UIFL fans on message boards, forums, and other media outlets.

Ron Duff
Ron's indoor football experience began in 2005 as the Canton Legends took the field for the first time. A season ticket holder since the Legends inception, Ron (with the help of his wife Kristy and sons Matt and Marc) established a fan club for the team in 2006. "The Leatherheads" as they became known was identified by the old style leather helmets fans wore during Legends games.

Ron has attended games in many AIFL/AIFA cities including championship games in Florence, SC in 2007 and Rome, GA in 2006 (in which his Legends won their only championship). Ron continued to operate the fan club for the team through the franchise suspension in 2008 and had assumed many front office duties as well. He has also served on the AIFL/AIFA fan advisory board.

In addition to his work with the Legends, Ron is a member of the Canton Joint Recreation District board and a former Canton City Schools Board of Education member. He attends the Eleventh Street Church of God, enjoys umpiring youth baseball, is employed as a retail store manager and volunteers his time serving as president of his local neighborhood group.
“The UIFL – a step above the rest”.

Joe Criscone Jr.
Joe has several years experience in indoor football. He started in 2000 as a member of the Erie Invaders fan club (2000 IFL). Then in 2005 he became president on the Erie Freeze Fan club (2005 AIFL), the first fan club of the league. After losing the Erie Freeze in 2007, he was instrumental in helping the Pittsburgh River Rats move to Erie, and continued the fan club. Now he still runs the fan club for the Erie Storm (AIFA). He has promoted his team through away game webcasts, player signing events, and game day operations.
Besides his love for indoor football, Joe has been a Cell Tech for Erie Bolt Co. making several giant bolts for the offshore oil industry. His wife, Mary owns and operates a Daycare. Joe has two children, Zachary (EMT for Emergycare) and Diane (school for Vet Tech).

Gene McCombs
Gene has been running the Reading Express Booster Club since the Express inaugural season in 2006. In 2008 he was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for his valuable contributions to the success of the 2008 Northern Division Champions Reading Express. Gene formerly served on the AIFA Fans Advisory Board from 2007-2009. He is an avid indoor/arena football fan & a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles & Tennessee Titans. In his spare time he enjoys collecting sports memorabilia & spending time with friends & family.

More members will be added to the Fan Advisory Board, if you are interested in joining the board, please email [e-mail] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For more information about the Ultimate Indoor Football League visit www.theuifl.com or call (877) 500-UIFL.

Source: www.uiflfans.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=118:uifl-announces-fan-advisory-board&catid=35:last-24h-news

[djh0722]

So I know you are looking at the AIFA in your rearview mirror, does Joe's involvement mean he too is calling it a day as far as the AIFA goes?

[Free Agent Fan]

Can't anyone multitask? I support my team in Erie. I'm also helping out a friend. This FAB has the right things in mind. They want to hear fan suggestions. I'm sure Gene can attest to this. We have already been asked what our thoughts are on several issues.

[Gene]

Yea Dave-O we just do what we can to help the sport in general. The UIFL is just way more interested in hearing what we have to say. From my side of it, i have had more personal contact from the UIFL in the past few weeks than i have from the AIFA in the past 4 years. For me it was a no brainer.

[UnoBomber]

Apr 20, 2010 18:43:05 GMT -5 Free Agent Fan said:

Can't anyone multitask? I support my team in Erie. I'm also helping out a friend. This FAB has the right things in mind. They want to hear fan suggestions. I'm sure Gene can attest to this. We have already been asked what our thoughts are on several issues.

No, clean out your desk and security will escort you to the door. Both of you are only doing this because you think that Haines actually gives a sh*t of what you have to say. Sorry truth hurts.

[Gene]

Apr 20, 2010 20:14:36 GMT -5 UnoBomber said:

Apr 20, 2010 18:43:05 GMT -5 Free Agent Fan said:

Can't anyone multitask? I support my team in Erie. I'm also helping out a friend. This FAB has the right things in mind. They want to hear fan suggestions. I'm sure Gene can attest to this. We have already been asked what our thoughts are on several issues.

No, clean out your desk and security will escort you to the door. Both of you are only doing this because you think that Haines actually gives a sh*t of what you have to say. Sorry truth hurts.

Im ordering a FULL audit and am asking you to come to the AIFAFANS office 1st thing Monday morning with all your financial records. Im concerned you are covering up some or most of your earnings from all the Google ads. These are AIFAFANS driven profits and should be given directly to our organization and not funneled into ones personal bank account. lol ;D

[Daytonadan]

You all blew it.

Instead of calling out the AIFA and using your influence to possibly inspire reform, you get wooed and switch over to the flavor of the day because you get to be important once again.

Just more of the same. The parting on the left is now the parting on the right. Welcome back to 2007.

[Canton Cougar Fan]

I have no team, therefore no league. I have done plenty of calling out of Haines and Mink and Morris and Hoffman and anyone else that has conspired to participate in jackassery and buffoonery.

So, here is the way I look at this ...

1. This is a way to possibly get a team back in Canton that Hoffman does not run.
2. I have an opportunity to correct the errors I saw made prior to anything getting off the ground.
3. Been there, done that. The AIFL died, then the Legends died and life went on. Before that, Canton lost two baseball teams and indoor soccer. Plus, I'm a three sport Cleveland fan. Through all that, life isn't so bad.

I'm not hanging my hat on indoor football and it's not my money that's up for grabs. My mission is as it was with the Legends ... make Canton the premier organization in sports ... regardless of what league they're in.

Joe and Gene can speak for themselves, but that is my point of view.

[ThatRadioGuy]

I guess I'm amazed there's still people out there willing to pay league dues to a Haines league.

How many of these teams are going to be league run to start? :-)

[UnoBomber]

Apr 20, 2010 20:44:10 GMT -5 Gene said:

Apr 20, 2010 20:14:36 GMT -5 UnoBomber said:

No, clean out your desk and security will escort you to the door. Both of you are only doing this because you think that Haines actually gives a sh*t of what you have to say. Sorry truth hurts.

Im ordering a FULL audit and am asking you to come to the AIFAFANS office 1st thing Monday morning with all your financial records. Im concerned you are covering up some or most of your earnings from all the Google ads. These are AIFAFANS driven profits and should be given directly to our organization and not funneled into ones personal bank account. lol ;D

Lets put it this way..... if I used the money i made today from google ads, I couldn't afford a stamp to send you the money. Maybe i'll see the check from google in about 3 years.

You'll be hearing from my lawyer gene!

[UnoBomber]

Apr 20, 2010 21:29:34 GMT -5 Canton Cougar Fan said:

I have no team, therefore no league. I have done plenty of calling out of Haines and Mink and Morris and Hoffman and anyone else that has conspired to participate in jackassery and buffoonery.

So, here is the way I look at this ...

1. This is a way to possibly get a team back in Canton that Hoffman does not run.
2. I have an opportunity to correct the errors I saw made prior to anything getting off the ground.
3. Been there, done that. The AIFL died, then the Legends died and life went on. Before that, Canton lost two baseball teams and indoor soccer. Plus, I'm a three sport Cleveland fan. Through all that, life isn't so bad.

I'm not hanging my hat on indoor football and it's not my money that's up for grabs. My mission is as it was with the Legends ... make Canton the premier organization in sports ... regardless of what league they're in.

Joe and Gene can speak for themselves, but that is my point of view.

In your situation, your basically picking the poison that doesn't kill you....

[Gene]

Apr 20, 2010 21:09:52 GMT -5 Daytonadan said:

You all blew it.

Instead of calling out the AIFA and using your influence to possibly inspire reform, you get wooed and switch over to the flavor of the day because you get to be important once again.

Just more of the same. The parting on the left is now the parting on the right. Welcome back to 2007.

Well not really Dan. In the past 4 years AIFA ownership has called me maybe 1 time, which was a voicemail message. I have tried to call a few times a year or 2 ago and got nothing but voicemail. I understand they are busy, aint complaining about it. This current endeavor with the UIFL isnt about being important for us. Its about helping an indoor football league get it right from a fans perspective. If it works, as is our mission, then great. If not, we'll fold our tents up and go home. Speaking for myself i am not on board with the AIFA's vision especially in regards to the WEST conference. To their credit the EAST is in better shape than years past. I wish them well but for me its time to move on. For now i'll have no team in the UIFL but if one in the area is put in place then thats who i'll support. Till then i will offer my ideas to the UIFL in hopes of creating a more solid and regional product that is cost effective for team owners & enjoyable to the fans.

[Gene]

Apr 20, 2010 22:03:12 GMT -5 UnoBomber said:

Apr 20, 2010 20:44:10 GMT -5 Gene said:

Im ordering a FULL audit and am asking you to come to the AIFAFANS office 1st thing Monday morning with all your financial records. Im concerned you are covering up some or most of your earnings from all the Google ads. These are AIFAFANS driven profits and should be given directly to our organization and not funneled into ones personal bank account. lol ;D

Lets put it this way..... if I used the money i made today from google ads, I couldn't afford a stamp to send you the money. Maybe i'll see the check from google in about 3 years.

You'll be hearing from my lawyer gene!

lol hey dont forget i sent a donation via the donation link you have on the homepage. Consider that as compensation...

[Daytonadan]

Then why a presser with your glorious names and extensive bios?

Apr 20, 2010 23:54:49 GMT -5 Gene said:

Apr 20, 2010 21:09:52 GMT -5 Daytonadan said:

You all blew it.

Instead of calling out the AIFA and using your influence to possibly inspire reform, you get wooed and switch over to the flavor of the day because you get to be important once again.

Just more of the same. The parting on the left is now the parting on the right. Welcome back to 2007.

Well not really Dan. In the past 4 years AIFA ownership has called me maybe 1 time, which was a voicemail message. I have tried to call a few times a year or 2 ago and got nothing but voicemail. I understand they are busy, aint complaining about it. This current endeavor with the UIFL isnt about being important for us. Its about helping an indoor football league get it right from a fans perspective. If it works, as is our mission, then great. If not, we'll fold our tents up and go home. Speaking for myself i am not on board with the AIFA's vision especially in regards to the WEST conference. To their credit the EAST is in better shape than years past. I wish them well but for me its time to move on. For now i'll have no team in the UIFL but if one in the area is put in place then thats who i'll support. Till then i will offer my ideas to the UIFL in hopes of creating a more solid and regional product that is cost effective for team owners & enjoyable to the fans.

[Gene]

The league wrote & released it, we did not. I did however post it here as well as on facebook and myspace just as i did before when there was AIFA news, no different.

Is it that strange for an organization to put out a pr when they assemble a board? You of all people are the 1st to complain about teams and the league not issuing pr's. Cant win wit you either way, Whether theres a pr or not theres an issue. As Joe always says next time remember sticky side down.