Flags at Half Mast       

AFA Director –Bill Williams- Passes Away

By Andy Osofsky

The Flag Football community plays its matches this weekend with a heavy heart, as one of the games innovators and pioneers, AFA President, Bill  Williams lost his long bout with cancer on July 6. Williams, 51,   is survived by his wife Tracy and daughter Stacy Cobalt.

Williams founded the AFA (American Football Association) to bring a “more structured approach” to 8-on-8 Flag Football games played nationwide. It has also served as a common linking point for public and private leagues throughout the United States. While the sports aspect was important to Williams, he never lost sight of the “business side” either.

Williams was a tireless marketer, who was able to subsidize many leagues and tournaments through national sponsorships. Currently the AFA has many national sponsors in place, including: Starbucks, and Avis Car Rental.

Sponsors helped to keep league costs as well as tournament entry fees to a minimal. Williams also was a main player in getting countless leagues uniforms and equipment sponsored and or donated.  As such, some teams that may not have been able to play were given a unique opportunity.

Based out of Las Vegas, the AFA still has been organizing tournaments both in its home state of Nevada and nationally for the last 12 years. When Williams passed away there were still 5 tournaments to be played this year along with the AFA Nationals in Las Vegas, NV. Nationals were to take place the weekend of January 15-16, 2006. At present it is not known if these tournaments will be played.

FlagMag.com President Jim Zimolka,  seems determined to make sure these events take place.“We will make sure the Nationals continue , We will call it the FlagMag.com Nationals where the Top four teams of each division will advance to the World Cup Tournament March 29-April 2^nd in Panama City,FL”, said Zimolka. “The loss of Williams has left the flag football community with heavy hearts. However, Williams would have insisted that these events take place…no matter what.”

Zimolka has mentioned that he is willing to take the reins as need be. “After everything Williams did for all of us, it would be selfish of me not to do everything it takes to make sure the events he was so proud of take place as scheduled.”

We will miss you Bill. Thanks for all you did for all of us.

For  More info on the FlagMag.com Nationals
please contact
Flag Football Magazine
603-437-0108

Staff@FlagMag.com
 

All Teams Participating in this Event will Receive Double World Cup Rankings Points,
 the tournament will also be a World Cup Qualifier.

Prizes-
Championship T-shirts
Championship Plaques
Entry Fee to World Cup Event in Panama City,FL

Site-Ed Fountain  Park
1400  N. Decatur Blvd
Las Vegas,NV 89106

ROSTER LIMIT-
8Man Eligible-20 People
8/7 Man- 16 People
4Man- 6 People

Official Flag-
Flag A Tag- Sonic Flags-(min 15 inches)
Triple Threat for Eligible
Only Flags to be worn
$7 each at the Field

Mandatory Captains Meeting -
Friday Jan 13th, 2006- 9Pm-The New Frontier Hotel-Cheyenne Room
Roster/Waiver forms are due

Schedules will be blind Draw-Teams pick place in bracket

HOST HOTEL-
On the Strip-$105 per Night-The New Frontier Hotel
3120 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Reservations-call 800-634-6966 for reservations or e-mail to res@frontierlv.com.
Reservations after   Dec 30th will pay more.
 


Off the Strip-$79 per Night-Comfort Inn-877-584-6787

Categories
8Man Eligible
A,B and C Division

8Man Ineligible-
A Division

8Man Eligible Women

7Man No Contact-Women

7Man No Contact-College  Men

4Man-
No Contact-A and B

5Man Youth
16 under

5Man Youth
12 under