2011 MEDIA GUIDE Contents Jerry Kurz AFL COMMISSIONER erry B. Kurz returns for his second season as AFL Commisioner Bio ...........................................03 the AFL’s Commissioner. Commissioner Kurz J has been involved with Arena Football for the past 25 years, including five seasons as president with Ownership + Front Office Bios .............................06 arenafootball2 (af2). Out-tenured only by the creator of Arena AFL COMMISSIONER AFL Football, Jim Foster, Kurz has dedicated his life to furthering the sport with a strong business ethic and core values meant to bring Coaching Staff Bios ...............................................14 the highest quality product to the ever-growing fan base of arena football fans. Roster of Players ....................................................20 In his time as the president of the af2, the league saw extensive growth in small-to-mid sized markets, building an extremely dedicated fan base across the country. That foundation helped to Dance Team ...........................................................34 fuel the return of the Arena Football League in 2010 after a year on hiatus due to financial instability. Kurz and a group of enthusiastic investors arranged the acquisition of the AFL’s assets in bankruptcy 2011 Season Schedule ........................................... court in late 2009 and revived the league in early 2010, fulfilling the 38 promise that arena football would be played in 2010. 2011 Opponent Directories .................................. Kurz has also served as the AFL’s Vice President of International 14 Development, where he was in charge of the League’s international exposure. During his tenure, he was responsible for administering the H3 Visa program, allowing international players to play for AFL Seating Cart + Ticket Info ......................................42 teams stateside. He also arranged and executed all internationally played games for the Arena Football League. AFL 101 ...................................................................46 Arena Football isn’t Kurz’s only claim to fame. He is also a founding member of Gridiron Enterprises, Inc., a sports consulting firm based out of Chicago. Gridiron Enterprises, consisting of Kurz, Foster and attorney William Niro, is the original founder of the AFL. Kurz has been a player, a coach, a general manager and an owner during his lifelong involvement with the game of football. He is also a member of four football Hall of Fames, including membership in the first class of the Arena Football Hall of Fame as well as membership in the arenafootball2 Hall of Fame. Kurz attended the University of Oklahoma as an undergraduate and later earned his Juris Doctor Degree at Northern Illinois. Kurz is a licensed attorney in Illinois and operated a law firm with his wife, Kathryn Hall, for 20 years. Jerry and his wife, Kathryn, have one son named Matthew who is currently a football coach at Lake Forest College. PITTSBURGH POWER MEDIA GUIDE 3 OWNERSHIP + FRONT OFFICE Matt Shaner Lance Shaner CEO + GENERAL MANAGER OWNER att Shaner is Owner, Chief Executive ance T. Shaner serves as Chairman of Officer, and General Manager for the the Board for the Pittsburgh Power, and MPittsburgh Power. Matt’s leadership as Chairman and Chief Executive of and ingenuity are what brought the Pittsburgh Power to the city. L Shaner. A graduate of Alfred University, he provides the business After making the commitment to start a new AFL franchise, he strategy and entrepreneurial spirit for multiple companies. OWNERSHIP + FRONT OFFICE OWNERSHIP + FRONT OFFICE relocated his family and business to Sewickley. Matt is also the Under Lance’s leadership, the companies have completed over CEO of Shaner Investments L.P. and the former Vice President one billion dollars in transactions and have grown into a highly of Development of Shaner Hotel Group. Shaner Hotel Group respected business group with over 2,000 employees. is a company that specializes in acquisitions, refurbishment, repositioning, development, and long-term ownership of full Throughout Mr. Shaner’s extensive career he has been service and selects service hotels with extensive limited service and successful in leading the companies in areas such as finance, extended stay experience. Since its inception, Shaner Hotel Group venture capital, contract negotiations, real estate development, has completed numerous transactions, including joint ventures, acquisitions and strategic investment advice. Today as the Chief developments, acquisitions, dispositions and financings. Executive Officer of Shaner, Lance is responsible for the overall management of the company and setting of strategic directions. The company operates its properties under established franchise In this leadership role, the companies have completed a number affiliations. These included Marriott, (including Residence Inn, of initiatives including: The development and redevelopment Fairfield Inn, Courtyard, and SpringHill Suites), Hampton Inn, of over 75 hotel projects with leading brand affiliation such as Renaissance, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. Marriott, InterContinental and Hilton. Shaner Investments L.P. is an independent branch of the Shaner Co-foundeding of several oil and gas production companies Companies founded by Matt in 2006. Shaner Investments business with operations in eight states, achieving significantsuccess plan targets under serviced, mid to small cities in Pennsylvania for in the exploration and development of oil and gas reserves in hotel and restaurant development. Shaner Investments has hired those states. Shaner Hotel Group to manager newly built hotels and assist with legal and accounting issues. The development the award-winning Williamsburg Square property in State College, Pennsylvania. This development is Matt is also a former member of the board of directors for the a mixed-use project consisting of three hotels, two restaurants Pennsylvania Tourism and Lodging Association and is currently on and two office buildings. The colonial themed property was the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce, animmediate success and established a new community landmark. Kicks 4 Kids charity, Penn State Quarterback Club, Duquesne Club, and the Edgeworth Club. 6 MEDIA GUIDE PITTSBURGH POWER PITTSBURGH POWER MEDIA GUIDE 7 Lynn Swann Peter Hill OWNER PRESIDENT ynn Swann was born in Alcoa, Tennessee eter Hill is the current President of the to Willie and Mildred Swann. Lynn moved Pittsburgh Power, and played an integral L to California at the age of 2 with his parents P role in bringing the team to Pittsburgh. and two brothers, spending summers in Tennessee and getting his In the team’s inaugural year Peter will oversee ticket sales, education in California. marketing, brand development, and he will work to develop the OWNERSHIP + FRONT OFFICE OWNERSHIP + FRONT OFFICE teams corporate partnerships. Peter is also the Senior Vice President He used the opportunity to play football at the University of for Shaner Investments L.P., a hotel and real estate development Southern California to earn his degree in public relations from company. the university’s School of Journalism. His success on the field led to professional football. In 1974 he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Peter is a decorated veteran of both Operation Iraqi Freedom, Steelers. Lynn would go on to be a cornerstone of the Steelers’ and Operation Enduring Freedom. As a non-commissioned dynasty, winning four Super Bowls. He was inducted into the Pro- officer if the United States Marine Corps, Peter was in charge of the Football Hall of Fame in 2001. personnel department for Marine Aircraft Group 16’s Operations Center during his two tours in Iraq. During his second tour in Iraq, Lynn currently sits on the board of directors of H.J. Heinz he was selected as a security liaison for the Department of Defense. Company, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, Harrah’s After completing his tour with the Department of Defense, he was Entertainment, Empower Software and Transdel Pharmaceuticals. awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He is also the Managing Director of Diamond Edge Capital Partners, a financial marketing firm. After receiving an honorable discharge from the United States Marine Corps in December of 2004, Peter owned and Since 1980 Lynn Swann has been the National Spokesman for Big operated Diversified Media Inc. a book distribution company that Brothers Big Sisters of America. He now serves on their National serviced private and public libraries throughout the Board of Directors and was President of the national board from eastern United States. 1993 to 1995. He has traveled across the country, testified before Congress and visited the White House on behalf of the nation’s premiere one-to-one mentoring organization. It is this community leadership, along with other qualities, that led President George W. Bush to ask Lynn to serve as the Chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. From 2005-2006 Lynn Swann ran for Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Lynn did not win, but he ran a very strong and popular campaign. 8 MEDIA GUIDE PITTSBURGH POWER PITTSBURGH POWER MEDIA GUIDE 9 Michael Gorham Justin Gould CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONS ichael Gorham serves as the Chief Operations Office for the Pittsburgh MPower, and has played an instrumental role in standing up the team in its inaugural year. Michael will be responsible for the full spectrum of football