Richard Obert

PRESIDENT'S COLUMN:
MORE TO GROW ON

It has only been a month, and I see plenty to be optimistic about with our own website taking shape, a top player honored each week, a weekly top eight list of teams and memberships growing.

I realize this is a process, one that could be long and slow. But I feel if we can all come together, and keep on top of things, we can make our working conditions that much easier for everyone and be able to do the things we want to do.

The more members we have, the stronger we become.

Remember, we're all in this together, and, with the platform getting larger for the teams, we need not be shoved aside. We should receive the same respect that the players and coaches are getting in the league.

Some of the association's goals I'd like to see for this inaugural year are:

• Enough finances/sponsorship to give out our awards during ArenaBowl week. I believe the main awards are Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Ironman of the Year and Coach of the Year. If it is not feasible to do this, and we have to limit it to one award, I would suggest Ironman of the Year. But I would put that up to a vote among members.

• An annual meeting during ArenaBowl week that would allow all of us to travel and cover the game for our respective media outlets, even if the team we regularly cover isn't playing in the game.

• A Good Guy Award that would go to the player easiest for the media to deal with, someone who is not afraid to speak his mind, always has the time, is gracious, and perhaps contributes to the community. Maybe we can do charter awards given to a player from each team, and have a league Good Guy honored during ArenaBowl week.

• The start of an annual award given to one of the association members for his or her dedication.

• And perhaps a writing contest that would be awarded at the end of the year for best game story, feature, enterprise.

This may be too much in the first year, but these are things to think about as we bond even stronger and gain new members.

If there are any concerns through the season's first three weeks, please let either Mark Anderson or myself know so that we can make it better for everybody. Access should be convenient and players should be available and accommodating after games.

Richard Obert is the AFLWA's first president. He also covers the Rattlers for the Arizona Republic.

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