Clifton Smith (30), a former Orange standout, won the 2008 Arena Bowl title as a member of the Philadelphia Soul. (Photo credit: Tim Seidler)
Orange Grads Enjoy Success in the AFL
7/31/2008 5:00:00 PM | Football
Former Orange standout Clifton Smith is a 2008 Arena Bowl champion. Smith and the Philadelphia Soul beat the San Jose SaberCats, 59-56, on July 27 in New Orleans to win the 2008 Arena Football League championship. Smith, a four-year starter for the Orange from 1999 through 2002, enjoyed success in his first season in the AFL, earning recognition on the 2008 All-Ironman Team as one of the best two-way players in the league. He was a fullback and linebacker for the Soul. In the championship game, Smith forced two fumbles and had two tackles, and gained seven yards on four carries.
Syracuse University’s presence in the AFL is not limited to Smith. Former Syracuse teammates and defensive linemen Duke Pettijohn and Rickie Simpkins, who played for the Orange from 1997 through 2000, were standouts for the Dallas Desparados. Pettijohn was named to the 2008 All-Arena Second Team for the third consecutive year.
The Syracuse connection to the AFL goes beyond the field as several SU graduates are members of the AFL staff. Chris McCloskey is the executive vice president of communications, Marc Lowitz is the president of the AFL Network, Matthew Block is the director of IT services, and Micah Tannenbaum is the coordinator of internet and new media services.
“I chose Syracuse because it had a major athletics program and because of the Newhouse school,” McCloskey said. “I interned in television production and ended up on the public relations side but all the previous experience I garnered, a lot of it was because of Syracuse, the power of its name and the Newhouse school’s name.”
McCloskey believes strongly in the connections people feel to their alma mater and uses this philosophy in marketing the AFL, which views the AFL as an emerging sports property.
“We market former college stars back to their fans from virtually all the colleges,” McCloskey said. “We publicize when the players are going to be on ESPN and with guys like (Duke) Pettijohn and (Rickie) Simpkins, they have been in the league for years. It is important for television ratings and ticket sales.”
McCloskey offers two key for students who have ambition to pursue a career in sports.
“The key with sports is getting your foot in the door whether for an internship or entry level position,” McCloskey said. “It’s one of those industries where there are so many people that want to be in it and they’ll work for less money so you just need to get your foot in the door. Get as much experience through internships as you can. Try to get a variety of experience, if you work in communications work on the PR side, work on the media side, work in radio, and work in TV.”
And, if you’re a Syracuse grad, keep the AFL in mind.
“When I see Syracuse on a resume I always give that person a chance simply because I know the quality of the people and the quality of the students, particularly at Newhouse,” McCloskey said.
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