Post by 50yardfan on Jul 29, 2010 10:05:43 GMT -5
LAKE CHARLES, La. (July 29, 2010) -- The Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) announced today that it has named indoor football veteran Gary Tufford as its Commissioner, effective immediately
"I can't think of a more knowledgeable person to step into the role of Commissioner of the SIFL than Gary Tufford," SIFL President Thom Hager states, "Gary understands this game so well and knows what it takes to succeed both on the field and off. We welcome Gary into the fold and look forward to a very exciting future as we look forward to the 2011 season."
Tufford brings over 30 years of professional football experience to the league as a league executive, coach and player, with 20 of those years involved with indoor football. He has worked with the NFL, CFL and the Arena Football League in management, coaching and advisory roles.
He has previously served as the Executive Director of the Indoor Football League (IFL) and Commissioner of the World Indoor Football League (WIFL) - the latter being a league that he helped found. Tufford also assisted in the building of the original Indoor Football League (IFL), the American Indoor Football League and the Arena Football 2. His coaching career has included multiple stops in traditional outdoor football as well as indoor.
As a player, Tufford saw action at wide receiver for the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the CFL in the late 1970s alongside players such as Warren Moon, Johnny Rogers and Anthony Davis to name a few.
In between stints with other indoor football leagues, Tufford set up his own consulting company, GT Sports Group, which advices teams, leagues, arenas, and other entities on how to build successful indoor football operations.
In addition to his experience, Tufford also brings a unique passion for the game.
"I love indoor football," he says. "The action is so fast - it's more exciting and high scoring than any other form of the game. Fans are closer to the action and it really provides a tremendous entertainment value for everyone in attendance. I am looking forward to continuing to build this great product with the SIFL and beyond".
Entering its third year of operation, the SIFL is a regional indoor football league with a footprint stretching from Texas to South Carolina with its season running from March to July. The 2010 SIFL season concluded on July 18th with the Columbus (Ga.) Lions besting the defending champion Louisiana Swashbucklers in the Championship Game.
"I can't think of a more knowledgeable person to step into the role of Commissioner of the SIFL than Gary Tufford," SIFL President Thom Hager states, "Gary understands this game so well and knows what it takes to succeed both on the field and off. We welcome Gary into the fold and look forward to a very exciting future as we look forward to the 2011 season."
Tufford brings over 30 years of professional football experience to the league as a league executive, coach and player, with 20 of those years involved with indoor football. He has worked with the NFL, CFL and the Arena Football League in management, coaching and advisory roles.
He has previously served as the Executive Director of the Indoor Football League (IFL) and Commissioner of the World Indoor Football League (WIFL) - the latter being a league that he helped found. Tufford also assisted in the building of the original Indoor Football League (IFL), the American Indoor Football League and the Arena Football 2. His coaching career has included multiple stops in traditional outdoor football as well as indoor.
As a player, Tufford saw action at wide receiver for the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the CFL in the late 1970s alongside players such as Warren Moon, Johnny Rogers and Anthony Davis to name a few.
In between stints with other indoor football leagues, Tufford set up his own consulting company, GT Sports Group, which advices teams, leagues, arenas, and other entities on how to build successful indoor football operations.
In addition to his experience, Tufford also brings a unique passion for the game.
"I love indoor football," he says. "The action is so fast - it's more exciting and high scoring than any other form of the game. Fans are closer to the action and it really provides a tremendous entertainment value for everyone in attendance. I am looking forward to continuing to build this great product with the SIFL and beyond".
Entering its third year of operation, the SIFL is a regional indoor football league with a footprint stretching from Texas to South Carolina with its season running from March to July. The 2010 SIFL season concluded on July 18th with the Columbus (Ga.) Lions besting the defending champion Louisiana Swashbucklers in the Championship Game.