FOOTBALL
The Omaha Beef professional football team added Gary Java to its sales and marketing staff. He brings 13 years of broadcasting experience to the team. Don Igo was named the team's general manager. He has been with Zee Medical since 1990 in sales and marketing.
Robert J. Riordan was named vice president of sales for the XFL. He was previously with Microcast Inc. Eric Schulz was named vice president of event marketing at XFL. He previously worked as a marketing consultant for clients such as Minute Maid, U.S. Office Products and the Special Olympics.
The XFL named Paul Miles vice president of administration for the New York/New Jersey Hitmen. Also named to the team's front office staff were Jason Danahy, director of marketing; Jon Schwartz, director of public relations; Keith Levin, named director of sales; Gina Durante, finance manager; Jay Johnson, operations manager; and Scott Stenback, box office manager.
HOCKEY
Brian Potter was appointed manager of media relations for the Washington Capitals. He was previously with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Nate Ewell was named manager of information. He spent the last four years with the sports information office at Michigan State University. Stephanie Boyer joined the Capitals as manager of community development. She previously worked at the Foundation for Fighting Blindness.
USA Hockey named Craig Patrick general manager of the 2002 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team for the Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Patrick is the general manager and CEO of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins.
The South Carolina Stingrays, an affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres, named Matthew Klidjian president. He rejoins the team after working with MLS Columbus Crew as director of corporate sales and marketing.
BASEBALL
Tampa Bay Devil Rays named Tony Saunders assistant to scouting and player development. He pitched for the team in 1998 and 1999 after beginning his career with the Florida Marlins in 1997.
Steve Nitzel was named president of the Texas League's Shreveport (La.) Captains, a Class AA affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. The position was held by Taylor F. Moore for more than 25 years.
The Lexington (Ky.) Legends of the South Atlantic League hired Eric Leach as director of group sales. He worked the previous season as an account executive with the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Wizards, the San Diego Padres' Class A affiliate in the Midwest League.
MOTORSPORTS
Melvyn Record was named director of marketing at Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. He spent 11 years at the National Hot Rod Association, the last six as director of field marketing.
The Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, Calif., named Kevin O'Brien director of sales and marketing services. He will continue managing the association's marketing services and public relations/communications department.
Don Murphy was appointed chief executive officer of Silicon Entertainment, owner and operator of NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway Racing Centers nationwide. He was also named to its board of directors. Company founder David Morse was named chairman of the board.
GOLF
Evergreen Alliance Golf Ltd. in Irving, Texas, named Guy H. Auxer chief operating officer. He has been the company's national director of agronomy since 1994 and is a certified golf course superintendent.
Amy Hawk was named tournament director for the BellSouth Senior Classic at Opryland in Nashville. John Subers, the tournament director since 1994, was promoted to vice president in charge of corporate events for Executive Sports International, contractor for the tournament. Hawk has been with BellSouth Senior Classic since 1995 and was previously tournament coordinator.
TENNIS
The French Tennis Federation appointed Michel Grach head of the Roland Garros media department. He replaces Alain Riou, who was appointed to the executive committee of the French Open.
Lauren Sheprow was named director of marketing for the Ericsson Open in Coral Gables, Fla. She has served as media and public relations consultant for the tournament since 1994. Cynthia Wine joined as media and public relations manager. She had been the public affairs manager with the Miami Art Museum since 1997. Jennifer Leonard joined as advertising coordinator. She was previously with The Shipper Group international trade publications as circulation manager.
SOCCER
The National Professional Soccer League named Peter Kullman director of corporate marketing. He was previously the director of sponsorship and promotions with Major Alumni Marketing, the marketing arm of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association.
Chris Brienza was named vice president of media relations for Major League Soccer's New York/New Jersey Metro-Stars.
Jeff Parker was named sales manager, new business market for the MLS Tampa Bay Mutiny. He was previously with the Atlanta Silverbacks of the A-League. Tim Post was promoted to account executive, new business market. He served the past season as the Mutiny's Dribble, Pass and Shoot coordinator.
Glen Hosking was named director of marketing for the MLS Miami Fusion. John Borozzi was promoted to vice president of sales. He was director of corporate sales. Gabriel Gabor was promoted to vice president of corporate communications and broadcasting. He was previously the team's public relations director. David Feeley was promoted to director of operations, previously serving as the logistics manager.
LACROSSE
The National Lacrosse League named Doug Fritts director of public relations. He has worked for professional basketball and hockey teams and spent three years as a television news and sports reporter at WUTR-TV in Utica, N.Y.
Jim Rogers was named general manager of the National Lacrosse League Philadelphia Wings. He is also senior vice president at Liberty Direct in New York City.
FACILITIES
Robert Johnson was named corporate controller for Palace Sports and Entertainment. Jodi McCrystal was named purchasing manager. She was previously the purchasing specialist for Lenawee Stamping Corp.
INTERNET
Interactive Venues named Steve Koss vice president of strategy and strategic alliances. The company allows visitors to Web sites of venues and sporting teams to see virtual views from every seat before buying tickets to an event.
Michael D. Barnes was named to the advisory board for Details.At, an online classified and auction site. He is president of Barnes Sports & Entertainment.
TELEVISION
Steven F. Roberts was named executive vice president, product management of Sportvision Inc. He was previously general manager of global operations and development for Sony Sports Entertainment. Russell Quy was promoted to executive producer and vice president, media production. He joined Sportvision in 1998 as director of new media development.
SPORTS COMMISSIONS
Mark Liberman was elected chairman of the board of directors of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission. George J. Kallis and James P. Trainor were also elected to the board.
Bobby Goldwater was named the leader of D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission. He has been in the sports, entertainment and facility management business for more than 25 years at Madison Square Garden and Staples Center.
MARKETING
Capitol Broadcasting Co. of Raleigh named Hill Carrow president and chief operating officer of the company's new sports marketing and management division, Capitol Sports Marketing. Carrow was the previous director of the U.S. Olympic Committee's corporate partnerships and services division and vice president of its sponsorship marketing arm, Olympic Properties of the U.S.
Laura Janssen joined the GEM Group as president of its Chicago operation and overall sales promotion practice. She was previously senior vice president and group account director at the Chicago office of Draft Worldwide.
Rick Ryan was named senior vice president of sales for Octagon Marketing. He was previously vice president of sales and marketing for National Media Group Inc.
Craig Schulman joined Gilco Sports & Entertainment Marketing LLC in Bethesda, Md., as corporate sales manager. He was previously a corporate sales representative with the Washington Redskins.
Armand Milanesi joined National Media Group Inc. as director of sales. He was the corporate marketing manager for the New Jersey Nets. Michael Galante joined the company as sales account executive. He is a recent college graduate and has worked with MTV Radio Network as a production assistant and at Details as an event coordinator.
