Hall of Fame & Life Members

The USAFL Hall of Fame was launched at the 2007 National Tournament. The Hall of Fame represents the ultimate recognition of an individuals commitment to the game of Australian Football and the USAFL. The Hall of Fame recognizes an overall contribution to the sport, as opposed to one specific aspect. Length of Service is also an important aspect of induction into the Hall of Fame. While we are still a young organization it is important for us to create the Hall of Fame and to recognize individuals who have worked tirelessly and have gone above and beyond expectations to ensure the league exist today. Our growth as an infant organization has been tremendous and we need a mechanism to recognize those few individuals that have made the league what it is today.

USAFL Hall of Famers

Paul "Plugger" O'Keeffe

Paul ”Plugger” O’Keeffe recognized over ten years ago there was an opportunity and need to begin something great here in the US. An opportunity to introduce Americans to the national game of Australia and a need to give his fellow expatriates the chance to play that game as is it was back home in Australia. There are those that may have characterized Paul O’Keeffe as a modern day “visionary”.

While it is true O’Keeffe had a vision in the early days of the USAFL of what the league could potentially become, his most significant contribution was to allow Australian Football to evolve in the US on it’s own terms. Though the USAFL was Paul’s vision, the success of the league was more due to his unmatched talent for organization, unyielding determination and unquestionable love of the sport.

There were only a handful of clubs in 1997, the year of the first National Championship Tournament in staged in Cincinnati. By 1998 nearly 25 clubs were actively participating in organized competition the number or games played went from fifteen in 1997 to 118 in 1999. Paul O’Keeffe held the reins of the league as USAFL President for the first two years of existence struggling mightily with a small cadre of ardent colleagues striving to keep up with the exponential growth of Australian Football in the US. Though elected to serve a second term as USAFL President at the 1998 AGM it is ironic O’Keeffe was unable to even raise his hand to as it was in a sling having been broken in a match earlier in the day.

At the 1999 AGM Paul stepped down as President, turning to his talents for organization as a background contributor to the continued growth and success of the USAFL. O’Keeffe knew that continued the continued healthy growth and development of Australian Football in the US would only take place with direct involvement of new people, ideas and passion. A largely overlooked but crowning achievement for O’Keeffe and the USAFL was the ratification of the USAFL Constitution at the 2001 Administrator’s Conference. With the implementation of this document, the League had attained the legitimacy of organization wherein the development of Australian Football in the US would be recognized at the international level.

Without question, the state of Australian Football in the US would not be where it is today without the tireless efforts, personal contributions and sacrifice of Paul ”Plugger” O’Keeffe. It is only fitting that Paul be the inaugural inductee to the United States Australian Football League Hall of Fame.

Life Members

Life Membership of the USAFL is a recognition of an individuals excellent service to football in the USA. It is given for a combination of service beyond normal expectations, tenure and specific skills that has a National component. This is not intended to replace club based Life Membership Awards.

Life Membership is an Australian traditional of recognition, generally at a club level.

The USAFL has defined a number of categories for Life Membership:

  • Umpires
  • Players
  • Clubs
  • Administrators
  • Coaches
  • Juniors
  • Supporters

To celebrate our 10thAnniversary the Executive Board felt it was the appropriate time to launch the program and to recognize a number of individuals who have been critical to the league making its 10thyear.

Steve Arnott, Minneapolis: Umpires

Steve has been one of the premier umpires in the league despite coming from Sydney.  Steve started umpiring in 1999. In those early days his city, St Paul, Minnesota, did not have a team so he traveled extensively to umpire. He served as the first Umpires Coordinator and then as the Umpires Coach for 5 years. He has been critical in building the fraternity of umpires – as he is often quoted the “esprit de corps” of umpires.

Denis Ryan, Baltimore-Washington: Juniors

Denis has been around since the early days of USfooty. He has played multiple roles, including the American Revolution coach during the 2002 International Cup. He is a founding member, player and coach of the Baltimore Washington Eagles Club who, for the first time, won the Eastern Australian Football League Championship this year. Denis is best known and being recognized for his contribution to Juniors. Denis started the USFootyKids program in the USA and has worked tirelessly in pushing footy into the school systems throughout the country He has conducted countless clinics for both student and teachers alike, Denis is one of the most passionate people involved with footy anywhere in the world.

Mike Powers, Nashville and Atlanta: Clubs

Mike has the distinguished honor of starting two clubs in the USA. He started Nashville prior to the forming of the USAFL and then when moving to Atlanta in the late 90’s took it upon himself to kick-start the Atlanta Club. Mike is the current coach of the Atlanta Kookaburras Club. Mike was one of the people involved in the famous meeting behind “the barn” that started the USAFL. He is also one of only two people to play in every National Championships. Mike represents everything that is right about a club based organization.

Jim Baldwin, Denver: Players

Jim Baldwinstarting playing footy for Denver when the club was first formed. He has since played every game with the club, now numbering over 110. Jim is a six time premiership player.  Jim was a member of the American Revolution in 2000 and 2001, He made the trip to London as part of the team than competed in the Atlantic Alliance Cup. Jim is a testament of the passion that Americans feel for game.

Alan Nugent, Boston: Coaching

Alan has been one of the premier coaches within the USAFL through its first ten years. He coached and played with Boston for many years, before his work moved him to Houston. Alan was also the American Revolution coach for the 2005 International Cup. Alan was a galvanizing force for the Revolution and brought the players together to create a great Revo team. He took the team to third at that Cup. Alan has also been recognized as the Revolution Coach of the Decade. Alan is an exceptional player and also made the starting 18 of the USAFL All-Star team of the Decade.

Paul Whiting, Boston: Administration

Paul was the first Secretary of the USAFL and is an unsung hero of the early years. Without Paul’s effort the League would not have been able to grow during those first few crucial years. During the first full AGM on the burgeoning League, in 1998, Paul was the first to step forward to help. Paul’s sporting background was surfing and he had been involved with the administration of many surf clubs in Australia. He knew what it took to make a volunteer organization work. He translated his administration skills perfectly to footy. Paul represents all the people that were involved with the league in the very early years; the people that helped get footy established and did it without any fanfare.

Rich Mann, Cincinnati/Denver: Administration/Player

Rich Mannhas served the League in many forms throughout our first Decade. Rich was the first Vice President of the USAFL and then became the second President at the end of 1999. He was instrumental in running the 1998 through 2001 Nationals, and has been the driving force behind the 2007 Nationals upon his return to the USA. When Rich returned home in 2001 the league took a huge hit, but Rich continued to work tirelessly for the League. He was the Australian Liaison for the USAFL while he was in Australia. The USAFL was excited to have him back in 2006 and look forward to his second round as President starting right after these Nationals are concluded. In addition, Rich has been the runner for the Revolution throughout its entire history and sat on the organizing committee for the inaugural International Cup in Melbourne in 2002. As a player he has won many awards, including being a two-time MVP at Nationals and MVP of the first USA vs Canada game in 1999. He is also being recognized as a player on the USAFL All-Star team of the Decade.

John Harrell, Louisville: Administration

John is one of the Founding Fathers of footy in America, another member of the barn boys. He was involved in launching the Louisville club back in 1996 and was instrumental in organizing and playing in the first game between Louisville and Cincinnati. John had a vision for footy in America that we are living today. Part of that vision has been fulfilled with the Nationals coming back to Louisville, celebrating a decade of Australian Rules Football in the USA. John has the distinction of being the person that was directly responsible for getting Plugger involved with footy in the USA. Unfortunately, John can not be with us tonight as he passed away well before his time.  His wife, Laura, is present tonight to accept this award on John’s behalf. In addition, the USAFL Division 1 Cup has been named the John Harrell Cup in John’s honor.