Coach Lombardi on the blocking sled.
Chapter Seven
"Back to Blocking and Tackling"
In August 2013, Candice stepped down as president, and Karl Sides (Ram Man) [Class of 2004] was elected the 7th President of PFUFA. He served for SIX YEARS (the longest term ever) from 2013 to 2019 as President. His Officers are/were:
Vice President - Bill Walters (Bukdog) [Class of 2008] served 2013 to 2017.
Steve Tate (the Owner) [Class of 2009] served 2017 to present.
Membership Officer - Steve Tate (the Owner) [Class of 2009] served 2013 to 2016.
Chip Riley (Fired Up) [Class of 2011] served 2016 to 2018.
John Robinson [Class of 2011] served 2018 to present.
Treasurer - Joanie DeKoker [Class of 2003] served 2010 to 2014.
Christie Lopez (Huly) [Class of 2012] served 2014 to present.
Secretary - Stephanie Phillips [Class of 2003] served 2008 to 2018.
Cindy Ricci (Dame) [Class of 2009] served 2018 to present.
When Ram Man began his term, the organization needed to “get back to the basics of blocking and tackling,” and as such, he changed the focus of the schedule and effort for reunion weekend to concentrate on J. Babe Stern Center and the kids. We still maintained our event at the Hall of Fame on Saturday following the parade and other events, but we began to really direct efforts and donations to the Babe.
To this end, the organization began partnerships with sponsors Esber Beverages (who provided beverages for the Friday Night tailgate) and Domino’s pizza (who provided pizzas for the Saturday night party). In doing so, both companies have agreed to make donations to the J. Babe Stern Center on behave of our group. PFUFA also welcomed a new parade sponsor for our 12th man float, “The Akron Auto Auction,” and the float has won them an award each year since. Also, our closer partnership with Chris Gump and the Canton Chamber of Commerce continues to grow each year, and they have embraced us and invited us to attend more events including the Ribs Burn-off and Kick off festivals each year. We would like to deeply thank each sponsor, Thank you.
Through charitable contributions and working with partners, PFUFA has raised over $50,000 for the J. Babe Stern Center since 2012. This has not gone un-noticed and has allowed the center to establish the official “Pro Football Ultimate Fan Association Computer Learning Center” in the boys and girls club. This computer lab will stand as a lasting “Thank You” to our organization from the staff and the kids at the Babe. Ram Man is particularly proud of this accomplishment, and the Membership Committee holds the final Draft vote on new members each year in the PFUFA Learning Center. Below is a letter that was sent to PFUFA from Tim Haverstock, Program Director, at the Babe.
Besides the “blocking and tackling” effort, our organization has seen many other great improvements. Vice President Bill Walters (Bukdog) [Class of 2008] created a new shuttle system to get members to and from events, and it is now a transportation staple for all reunions. Bob Hostutler (Burnt River Bob) [Class of 2012] took on the project to trademark our logo to prevent unauthorized use by others on social media. Some of our “better halves” introduced the “Plus One” [now called the VIPs] schedule to the annual reunion. Kathy Hostutler and Toni Sides oversee the group and arrange excursions for members, spouses, and invited guests to enjoy the local wineries, crafts, antique shops, and restaurants in the Dover/Canton area.
Following a suggestion by the membership, PFUFA voted to adopt another charity into its family. We are now providing a morning tailgate for the staff and families at the Akron Ronald McDonald house. Considering a suggestion by Ron Rickard (Raider Ron) [Class of 2001], we have also adopted a program to give back to even more kids following the NFL Conference Championship games. Our membership from each participating city in the Super Bowl donate computer tablets to their local Ronald McDonald house in the name of the PFUFA. The first donations came from Carolina and Denver for Super Bowl 50.
PFUFA has also further expanded its brand in the media and has been featured in ESPN magazine, Sports Illustrated, and NFL Network. During our 2014 Reunion, NFL Films came to document a very special event. A PFUFA Wedding between Dave and Cindy Ricci (Purple Dame) [Class of 2009] was captured and aired on NFL Network.
This video was aired on Fox Sports One and filmed by NFL Films.
PFUFA was also front and center in the 2016 Documentary Film by Grayson Berry, “25,000 Miles to Glory” when he and his film crew traveled the country and interviewed numerous members of our organization. The Netflix premiere kicked off our 2016 PFUFA reunion, and we were hosted at the premiere party in the historic Palace Theater. Most recently, members of PFUFA were featured on the new NFL Network series “Tackle My Ride.”
This video is the Official Trailer for “25,000 Miles to Glory”
In 2013, our organization decided to pay special tribute to the Hogettes, their retirement, and their very distinguished careers as philanthropists. As such, the Board of Directors created the “Golden Hog Award.” This award is presented each year to an active member that that goes above and beyond the conventional definition of charity. This is a very special recognition of his/her activities in the community throughout the year and is demonstrated by his/her “practice of giving and caring."
Unfortunately, Ram Man’s presidency has also been marred by tragedy. Our organization lost two members in a span of less than 6 months. Nelson Titter (Fly Eagles Fly) [Class of 2010) and husband of PFUFA Secretary Stephanie Phillips passed away suddenly in December 2015. Then in June 2016, our former President Ron Rickard (Raider Ron) [Class of 2001] lost his long battle with diabetes. Their passing was marked with a special presentation to Janet Rickard and Stephanie Phillips following the annual business meeting in August 2016. The annual PFUFA golf tournament was renamed to "The Nelson Titter Memorial Golf Tournament" and was dedicated to at the 2016 Annual Reunion.
Most recently, in 2018, we lost another member, our former [and first] Membership Officer Joe Banowsky (Joe Texan) [Class of 2004].
Karl finally stepped down after so many years at the 2019 PFUFA Annual Reunion, and was treated like the King he is. Thank you, Karl, for so many years of faithful service. In 2020, Karl was inducted into the PFUFA Ring of Honor (only the second active member to receive such an honor).
