RON CALCAGNI NAMED HEAD COACH AND ALICIA COOPER NAMED PRESIDENT OF TEAM ARKANSAS OF THE ALL AMERICAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Arkansas football legend and local businesswoman to lead new team

 

LITTLE ROCK, AR. (November 13, 2007) – The All American Football League today announced the appointment of former University of Arkansas quarterback Ron Calcagni as Head Coach of the League's Team Arkansas, and businesswoman Alicia Cooper as the President of Team Arkansas.  The appointments were announced by Keenan Davis, the League's Vice President of Business Operations and COO. 

"Team Arkansas just acquired two skilled and highly-respected individuals to lead our Arkansas team. Their credentials as leaders and winners speak for themselves. We pride ourselves at the All-American Football League in breaking new ground in how we'll play as well as in creating our team leadership. Obviously, having Ms. Cooper as the first female Team President in our inaugural season sends a bold message throughout the sports business landscape regarding our diversity commitment," said Davis. “Ron Calcagni brings the kind of coaching experience and passion for Arkansas football that is the basis of the AAFL,” he said.

Alicia Cooper has risen to the top echelon of the Arkansas business community. She has served as COO of NovaSys Health Network and CEO of the Arkansas Specialty Orthopedics (ASO). ASO was named Arkansas Business of the Year during her tenure and Alicia was also named one of the Top 40 CEOs under 40 in Arkansas. In addition to her corporate commitments, Alicia served for four years on the midtown advisory board.  Alicia is committed to economic growth and development opportunities for this area and the state of Arkansas. The opportunity to play in War Memorial Stadium will be one of the critical success factors in promoting this team to the Arkansas fans and businesses.

"Working over the last three months to help launch the AAFL's Arkansas team has been a highly rewarding and exciting experience. As I assumed more and more managerial responsibility it started becoming apparent that I was well suited to assume the presidency of Team Arkansas. My leadership experiences as a CEO of a very successful Arkansas company translates well for the Arkansas team as we begin to move forward toward kickoff in April," said Alicia Cooper, new president of the AAFL's Arkansas team.

Ron Calcagni was a three-year starter at quarterback for the Razorbacks playing for Frank Broyles and later Lou Holtz, racking up a phenomenal win/loss record of 25-4-2, making him the winningest quarterback in Arkansas history.  In addition to leading his team to a Cotton Bowl appearance, he engineered one of the greatest upsets in college football history during his junior year, a 31-6 rout of No. 2 Oklahoma in the 1978 Orange Bowl.  The win capped an 11-1 season.  He followed up that performance with a 9-2-1 record and appearance in the Fiesta Bowl to conclude his stellar college playing career.

Following his professional playing career, Calcagni embarked on a twenty-year coaching career at the Division 1 level at Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tulsa, Houston and Arkansas State.  He coached 15 All Americans, 1989 Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware and Davey O'Brien Award winner David Klinger.  Six different receivers coached by Calcagni led the nation in receptions. Calcagni also coached in the Canadian league as an offensive coordinator for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

"Coaching is in my heart and coaching is in my blood. When this effort started to take shape my mind was always on coaching,” said Calcagni who had previously been touted as the President of Team Arkansas. “As I worked more and more with the fine team of advisors, and with Alicia rising to her obvious role of Team President, I naturally gravitated to the Head Coach position. It is really where I want to be and I couldn't be happier. I know Arkansas football. I know what the fans want. And I know how to get it for them," said Ron Calcagni, new head coach of the AAFL's Arkansas team.

Team Arkansas will play its home schedule at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.  In addition to Arkansas, the League's charter teams will be located in avid college football markets with teams representing the states of Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Tennessee and Texas. 

The All American Football League is aligning with the passion for college football and the year-round fan interest in the game's traditions and rivalries.  The League's spring schedule is designed to satisfy fans who hunger for quality football between the NFL and college seasons. 

In addition to tapping into the passion that exists for the college game among former players and fans, another point of difference is the All American Football League's player eligibility requirement.  Players selected by the League must have earned their Bachelor's degree in addition to exhausting their college football eligibility. 

For more information on the All American Football League and to purchase tickets log on to www.AAFL.com or call 1-888-588-AAFL.