We are pleased to announce that two additional speakers have been added to the schedule for the 2025 PFRA Convention.
Randy Snow is from Kalamazoo, MI and founded The World of Football in 2006. Since 2017, he and his son, Adam, have been doing a weekly audio podcast called, "This Week in The World of Football," which will celebrate its 400th episode in July. They also produce YouTube content featuring short football history lessons, travelogues and a series called "Have Grave, Will Travel," where they visit the final resting places of football icons from college and pro football. Some of those icons include Vince Lombardi, Curly Lambeau, Knute Rockne, Jim Thorpe, Pop Warner, Paul Hornung, Walter Camp, Bronko Nagurski, Tom Landry, Lamar Hunt, John Heisman and Paul Brown. Randy has interviewed authors, coaches and players and he spoke at the 2021 PFRA Convention in Canton, OH. His passion for football history is what led him to join the PFRA in 2011 and he has not missed a convention since. Randy will make a presentation about the Duluth Eskimos.
Former Minnesota Golden Gophers and Green Bay Packers running back Darrell Thompson is back on the schedule to speak at the Convention.
Having served 29 years and counting with Bolder Options, Darrell is known as a leader in Minnesota’s youth development circles. Originally founded by the Minneapolis Jaycees, Bolder Options is a comprehensive youth mentoring program working with referred youth from ages 10-14 who may be at-risk towards delinquent or unhealthy behaviors.
As the organization’s first full-time employee, Darrell was hired as program manager in 1994. After five years of success, Bolder Options became a separate 501 (c) 3 entity and Darrell was named Executive Director and now serves in the role as President of the organization.
Through his leadership, the program has grown exponentially, serving over 4,500 kids annually in the Twin Cities Metro program alone. In a bold and visionary move, Darrell also expanded Bolder Options to include his hometown of Rochester, MN. The combined offices now boast 15 full-time staff members and work with more than 23 volunteer advisory committee members serving the Bolder Options mission: Teaching youth to succeed in ALL of life’s races.
Basing program components on best practices and leading edge youth development research, Bolder Options has become a pioneer in the mentoring field. Darrell and his staff have created an award winning, multifaceted approach unseen in many mentoring programs. The numbers speak for themselves, with a success rate of 36% higher than the national average of mentoring programs.
Darrell sits on the board for the NFL Retired Players Association, V3, and Twin Cities Public Television. Darrell lives in Plymouth, MN with his wife Steph. He and Steph have four children and two grandchildren. In his off time you might find Darrell riding his Peloton, fishing, or enjoying a round of golf. You can also listen to Darrell throughout the college football season as one of Learfield Sports Gopher Game Day announcers, which broadcasts on 100.3FM KFAN.
Also, just a reminder that June 8, 2025 is the cut-off date for the special group discount rate at the Drury Plaza Hotel, the host hotel for the Convention. Reservations made after that date will be subject to prevailing rates and availability at the hotel.
2025 Convention Update
Re: 2025 Convention Update
Awesome news. Glad to hear Darrell Thompson could make it, amd Randy Snow is one of the very best presenters I've ever heard speak at a PFRA/WNY PFRA meeting.