Board of Directors
Commissioner: RICK STAROSTA – 262-237-2006 – Kenoshavikings2002@yahoo.com
Duties: Founder/GFL Commission/GFL Scheduling/GFL Expansion/Owner: Northern Storm
Rick started the Gridiron Football League in the fall of 2006. It was a wild idea to take the best of 11 man Semi-pro football and turn it into a respectable league. He comes to the league with a bag full of experience and knowledge. He played 4 years of varsity football at Waukegan High School and then played at Northeastern University where he lettered his sophomore to senior years. His senior year he had 49 catches and 7 touchdowns.
Rick had tryouts with the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL. After his tryouts he returned to semi pro football and started the Lake County-Kenosha Vikings. The Vikings won 3 League Trophies.
In the fall of 2006 he dismantled the Vikings and turned it into 4 teams. This was the start of 6 week experiment with 6 man football. It was hit over night and the 8 Man Football League was born. After 6 years the league is strong and eager to spread its wings with new teams and Stadiums.
Co-Commissioner: Adam Knoll – 262-653-1736 – Branoic2007@yahoo.com
Duties: Web Master/GFL Multimedia/GFL Author/Promotions/Board of Directors Liaison/Owner: Wilmot Phoenix
Adam Knoll is the owner of the Wilmot Phoenix, a franchise that started in 2009. Before that, Knoll played and helped coach the Kenosha Storm for two years. Knoll became the new Assistant Commissioner of the GFL in October 2012 and has big shoes to fill considering the hype around what he has already done in regards to helping the GFL prosper isn’t going to make his job any easier. Knoll has been the league’s reporter for nearly five years and has become it’s historian. You may not know it, but most anything that you have ever read, viewed, heard, or followed in regards to the GFL has had Knolls stamp somewhere along the process. Everyone within the GFL is thrilled about the possibilities that are now opening up and are even more excited about the direction that Starosta and Knoll will be guiding the league in.
Board Member: Jay Fortuna
Duties: Head of Referees/GFL Multimedia/GFL Author/Owner: Chicago Vipers
Jay Fortuna started as part of the expansion Lake County Desperados in 2010, after which the team was moved to Chicago to become the Chaos. After one season, Fortuna moved on to the Lake Shore Lynx for one season before starting the Chicago Vipers. Jay was part of the beginning of the GFL’s multimedia platform, and has started to become an author for the league site.
Board Member: Randi Dey
Duties: Head of Events/Owner: Lake County Venom
Randi Dey has been a big part of the growth of the GFL. A long time member of the Lake County Cowboys, Dey has since moved on to start the Lake County Venom, helping the league branch out into Illinois. Due to his quiet nature, Randi often does not receive the attention he deserves for helping the league move forward these past few years.
Board Member: Mike Melody
Duties: Head of Marketing/GFL Author/ Owner: Chicago Chaos
Mike Melody is co-owner of the now defending Champion Chicago Chaos. Mike has become a steadying voice during the past few years, choosing to help drive the league more through analysis rather than opinion. Melody is quickly becoming a leader in multiple areas and will begin writing for the league website this season.
Board Member: Fred Jackson
Duties: Head of GFL All Star Game/Owner: Milton Mayhem
A relative newcomer in the GFL’s inner circle, Fred Jackson has become somewhat of an outside the box thinker which is proving to be quite an asset. Jackson owns the Milton Mayhem, a third year team. Fred is tasked with finally getting the GFL All Star Game off the ground for it’s inaugural game this season.