2012 Honors & Awards
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In its 15th year the United States Australian Football League recognized a number of outstanding individuals who have contributed to the growth and development of Australian Football here in the USA.
First, a great honor was bestowed upon two of the League’s legends in Rich Mann and Denis Ryan. They both were inducted into the USAFL’s Hall of Fame at the Welcome Function on Friday, October 12. Only one other individual has ever been inducted into the Hall of Fame, the League’s founder, Paul “Plugger” O’Keeffe.
Rich Mann was a founding member of the Cincinnati Dockers and the USAFL. He has served in various positions at league level for 15 years, including 7 years over 2 terms as president.. Rich also served as Australian Liaison and was on the organizing committee for the inaugural International Cup in 2002. Rich he has been involved with running the National Tournament a total of 11 times, and it is has become the largest Australian Football tournament in the world. He has played in numerous USAFL Premiership teams, first with the Cincinnati Dockers and more recently with the Denver Bulldogs. He has been named the National Tournament MVP twice. Rich has played over 500 games in his career and served on numerous club and league committees. At the 2011 International Cup in Melbourne, Mann received an AFL Merit Award for his significant contributions to the development of the game.
Denis Ryan has been a member of the Baltimore-Washington Eagles since 1998, serving as a player, coach and Vice President of the club. Denis has played an instrumental role within the USAFL developing and implementing the US Footy Kids program. He has also played significant roles with the USA Revolution team. He coached the team in 2001 and 2002 where the team finished 5th at the International Cup and has been serving as Assistant Coach since 2009. Most recently Denis developed the game of Ausball – a co-ed non-contact version of the game, which AFL 9’s is based off, with Leagues in Baltimore and Sacramento.
Secondly as well as recognizing all our Life Members at this year's welcome function, the League also inducted two two new Life Members in Jim Martin of the St. Louis Blues and Matt Muller of the Seattle Grizzlies.
Jim Martin joined the US footy family in the 90’s with the St Louis Blues and was instrumental in helping build the club during the early years. Jim joined the USAFL Board in 2002 as Vice President for the Central Region. He stayed in this role for ten years, serving under four Presidents. Jim always was a voice of reason on the Board and he provided a consistent presence during a critical period of the League's growth. He is an unsung hero of the league given the countless hours that he has served the sport over more than a decade.
Matt Muller was a founding member of Seattle Grizzlies in 1998 and recently stepped aside after serving 13 years as the club’s President. Matt has worked tirelessly for more than a decade turning the club from a small group of ex-pats "having a kick", into one of the top clubs in the League. Matt developed and managed the league's first website and served as the administrator from 2000 - 2010. donating his time, skills and money to give the League a comprehensive online presence.
Finally, the League also recognized the contribution of some outstanding individuals who have all had a great impact on National Tournaments in Recent years. Service Recognition Awards were presented to Rodney Grljusich, Susan Graham and Lisa Albergo
Rod "Grilla" Grljusich has pioneered play by play announcing for the United States Australian Football League, first at the USAFL Nationals in Kansas City back in 2003. 2012 was his 10th Nationals. Grilla’s dynamic and colorful style has influences dating way back to his adolescent years from an infatuation with American sports presentation. One of Grilla’s proudest moments was In 2008 when his style was brought to the AFL’s International Cup in Melbourne. And every year he looks forward to presenting the John Harrell Cup to the National Champions. Grilla has an unmistakable voice on the footy field and we are proud to call him the voice of the USAFL.
Susan “Soozz” Graham attended her first Nationals in 2004 and in 2012 attended her ninth and possibly last Nationals. During her time, Soozz volunteered for the League in an administration role and has played an instrumental part in the running of numerous National Tournament. Soozz has served in many roles at the Nationals from Director of VIP’s, Head of Volunteer Staff, Lunch Lady, taxi driver, you name it, she's done it. Soozz’s proudest Achievement was single handedly securing the “Hey Hey It’s Saturday” interview for there reunion show in 2009 just before the Mason Nationals which had an Audience of 4.1 million people
Lisa Albergo has been around in the US footy community since the League’s inception in 1997. She is passionate about footy and has goal umpired for the past seven Nationals. She has assisted in the management of umpires, team sheets, votes, score cards, and other paperwork for many years. Lisa also reports for the Australian Football Association of North America (AFANA) in their regular newsletter.
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