American Football Association Selects Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame . . . 'Class Of 2008'

Recently the AFA/Hall of Fame selection committee completed its annual task of reviewing personal profiles of qualified individuals nominated for induction into the Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame as the. . . "Class of 2008". Information submitted by HOF alumni and subsequent review by the selection committee resulted in the selection of 17 people for enshrinement this year. 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.

(PRWEB) October 22, 2008 -- Recently the AFA Hall of Fame selection committee completed its annual task of reviewing personal profiles of qualified individuals nominated for induction into the Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame as the. . . "Class of 2008". Information submitted by HOF alumni and subsequent review by the selection committee resulted in the selection of 17 people for enshrinement this year. 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.

This year's group of Hall of Famers will be enshrined as the "Class of 2008" during the AFA's 28th Annual Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Dinner at the Helmsley Sandcastle Resort Hotel on Lido Beach in Sarasota, Florida. The Induction Dinner will be part of a busy Semi-Pro Football weekend for the AFA National Association, which will run from Thursday, December 11th thru Sunday, December 13th.

The enshrinement of this year's class of 18 new hall of famers will see the 28-year total number of inductees expand from 553 members to 571 members. Since the inaugural enshrinement in 1981 (including the Class of 2008) the AFA has recognized 313 players; 94 coaches; 74 executives; 23 officials; 20 pioneers; 20 media/historians; 11 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'.
The 'special' semi-pro football weekend in Sarasota, Florida will include:
- Thursday Evening - AFA/HOF meet the new inductees "alumni-huddle" cocktail party
- Friday Morning - Annual AFA Board of Directors meeting
- Friday Evening - AFA Hall of Fame Induction Dinner
- Saturday Morning - Semi-Pro Football Alumni Clubs Business Breakfast; Special Memorial Service for AFA Founder Ron Real
- Saturday Afternoon - "Old-Timers-Game IV (on the beach)

Room reservations can be made by calling the Helmsley Sandcastle's toll free number 800-225-2181 or their local Florida number 941-388-2181. Be sure to mention you are connected with the American Football Association (by name) to take advantage of the AFA's discount room rate. Room rates $118.00 - Run of House and 138.00 - Gulf Front View. Annual Hall of Fame Dinner tickets are $55 each and can be ordered by emailing amerfoot @ aol.com.

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 2008". The names in parentheses indicate sponsors of the new inductees HOF alumni.

PLAYERS CATEGORY:
Richard Landis - Upper Strasburg, Pennsylvania. - (Stephen Oldt, Dave Bonsell )
Jerry Schropp - Elk Grove Village, Illinois - (Fritz Fiorelli, Alvin Klaeren, Roman Strzala)
Pat Albanese - Glenview, Illinois - (Neal Anderson, Mike "Chico" Cain, William Meyer, Gary Thomas)
Larry Schmidt- Northbrook, Illinois - (Patrick O'Brien, Joseph Wolfe)
Donald Busch, Sr - Westchester, Illinois - (Elmhurst Travelers Alumni Club)
Elwyn Rider - Jackson, Michigan - (Bill Christie)
Steven Fisher - Watertown, New York - (George Ashcraft)
Dick Rosati - Port Charlotte, Florida - (Dick Leland)
Tom Kirlis - Bridgewater, Massachusetts - (Peter O'Kane)
David Brown - Quincy, Massachusetts - (Larry DeVoe)
Erle Garrett - Boston, Massachusetts - (Bob DeVoe)
Thomas Manny - Troy, New York - (Gary Shaver)

COACHES CATEGORY:
Merle F. Derpinghaus - Manitowoc, WI - (Jordon Kopac)

EXECUTIVE CATEGORY:
Pete Narri - Milwaukee, Wisconsin - (Chris Chudada)
Arney Silvestri - Geneva, Illinois - (Cheryl Kardas)

OFFICIALS CATEGORY:
Jerry McGonigle - Lake Winola, Pennsylvania - (William Higgins)

TRAINERS CATEGORY:
Glen Cooper - Prince George, Virginia - (Hal & Mary Lockhart)

PIONEER CATEGORY:
Joseph Loughran - Staten Island, New York - (Brett Friedman)

About the American Football Association:
The AFA is dedicated to the advancement of semi-pro/minor league football throughout the United States and serves as the National Organization for non-professional leagues and teams from coast-to-coast. For more information about the AFA, please visit their Web site: www.americanfootballassn.com.