2021 PFRA CONVENTION UPDATE

[George Bozeka]

We are pleased to announce that four additional speakers have been added to our 2021 Convention itinerary. The current itinerary is below.

PFRA Executive Director Mark L. Ford will participate in the Founding of the NFL/Original Teams Panel Discussion on Friday evening. Mark is the author of A History of NFL Preseason and Exhibition Games 1960-1985 and A History of NFL Preseason and Exhibition Games 1986-2013, and has been a recipient of both the PFRA’s Ralph Hay Award (2016) and Nelson Ross Award (2003).

Former Pro Football Hall of Fame Executive Director Joe Horrigan has agree to make a presentation on Saturday morning. Joe, one of the original founders of the PFRA, was the recipient of the PFRA’s Ralph Hay Award in 1991. Joe is also the author of NFL Century: The One-Hundred-Year Rise of America’s Greatest Sports League.

Three former NFL players have agreed to participate in our NFL Player Panel Discussion on Saturday afternoon: Mark Miller, Roger Duffy, and Bob Vogel.

Mark Miller was a quarterback for head coach Sam Rutigliano and the Cleveland Browns from 1978-1979.

Roger Duffy was an offensive lineman for the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers from 1990-2001. At different points in his career he played for head coaches Pete Carroll, Bill Parcels, and Bill Cowher.

Bob Vogel was an offensive lineman with the Baltimore Colts from 1963-1972. He was a 5-time Pro Bowler, played for head coaches Don Shula, Don McCafferty, and John Sandusky, and played in Super Bowls III and V.

In addition, Jason Aikens, Pro Football Hall of Fame Curator, has agreed to be the guest speaker at our Friday afternoon Bender’s Luncheon add on. Jason is replacing Jon Kendle, who had a conflict develop on his schedule. Jon will still be conducting the Sunday add on Behind the Scenes Tour of the Ralph Wilson, Jr. Pro Football Research and Preservation Center.

Finally, PFRA member Neal Golden has agreed to host PFRA Quiz Bowl II on Saturday afternoon.



Thursday June 24, 2021
2:30-5:00 pm Add on Activity-Paul Brown Museum Tour and Visit to Paul Brown Tiger Stadium to view Paul Brown Statue and Ohio Historical Marker in Massillon, Ohio

Friday June 25, 2021
12:00- 2:00 pm Add on Activity- Bender’s Tavern Luncheon-Downtown Canton-Guest Speaker-Jason Aikens, PFHOF Curator
2:00- 4:00 pm Add on Activity-Tour of The Eleven and Centennial Plaza-Downtown Canton
5:00 pm- PFRA Meet and Greet- Gold Jacket Lounge-PFHOF
6:00 pm- Welcome
6:15 pm- Pre-NFL Panel Discussion-Lee Elder, Randy Snow, Roy Sye, Gregg Ficery
7:45 pm Meal Break
8:30 pm- Founding of the NFL/Original Teams Panel-Jeffrey Miller, John Steffenhagen, Joe Ziemba, Mark Ford
10:00 pm- End of first day

Saturday June 26, 2021
8:00 am- Second day of 2021 PFRA Convention begins.
8:00 am- Opening Remarks. We go around the room and have PFRA Members introduce themselves.
Business Meeting

• Membership Update
• Bylaws
• PFRA Publications
• Future Meetings
10:15 am- Break

Morning Presentations:
10:30 am- John Maxymuk- Pioneer NFL Coaches-Guy Chamberlin
11:15 am- Joe Horrigan- Former Executive Director-PFHOF


12:00 Lunch Break
1:00 pm- Afternoon Session Begins

1:00 pm- NFL Player Panel
Introduction of Guest Speakers.
Roger Duffy-OL-New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers 1990-2001
Mark Miller-QB-Cleveland Browns 1978-1979
Bob Vogel-OL-Baltimore Colts 1963-1972

3:00 pm- Hall of Fame Tour
5:00 pm Group Photo
5:30 pm- PFRA Quiz Bowl II-Neal Golden, Moderator
6:30 pm- Closing Comments and Adjournment

Sunday June 27, 2021
10:00 am-12:30 pm Add on Activity-Behind the Scenes Tour of Ralph Wilson, Jr. Pro Football Research and Preservation Center-Jon Kendle, PFHOF Archivist

[racepug]

This sounds A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!

[ChrisBabcock]

Not that I'll be at the convention but only because I'm curious... Will the 1951 Rams book be available for purchase at the convention? I remember being able to buy the 1958 Colts book at the Buffalo convention 3 years ago.

[George Bozeka]

The 1951 Rams book is scheduled for an August/September release.

[George Bozeka]

The Convention is currently sold out! The HOF is currently allowing us a maximum of only 48 attendees because of COVID restrictions, which we have reached. However, the HOF is reviewing their COVID protocols in light of the recent announcements by the CDC and Ohio governor regarding the lifting of some restrictions, and will let us know this week if we will be allowed to increase the number of attendees. If more spaces become available we will let everyone know with announcements on the Forum and on the website, so please stay tuned.