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Lonestar
09-17-2009, 06:47 PM
Vice President of Public Relations Jim Saccomano's book is on sale now.

By Gray Caldwell
Broncos Magazine Associate Editor

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- You've been a Broncos fan your whole life. You've been to dozens of games and every one you can't go to is pasted on your television or radio. Maybe you've been there from before John Elway all the way to Kyle Orton, and after voting for the 50th Anniversary Team, you'd like to think you know a little bit about Broncos history.

But did you know 200 aspiring pro football players passed through the Broncos' first training camp in the summer of 1960? That the Broncos won the first-ever regular season AFL game 13-10 against the Boston Patriots? That of the 12 head coaches in Broncos history, 10 have won their first game after Head Coach Josh McDaniels got the win last week in Cincinnati?

How about the fact that the Broncos had the first African-American starting quarterback in the modern era in Marlin Briscoe? And the first African-American placekicker in pro football history in Gene Mingo, who also returned punts? Were you aware that Rich "Tombstone" Jackson was one of the most feared defensive ends of his time?

The events and people that make up 50 years of Broncos football are what make it special, and all of it is chronicled in the new book "Denver Broncos: The Complete Illustrated History."

The book contains profiles of star players, recaps of every season, details of crucial games and plays and the stories behind the great teams and moments throughout the team's 50 years. The hundreds of color and black-and-white images documenting the history of the franchise simply add to the experience.

It was compiled by Vice President of Public Relations Jim Saccomano, with a foreword by Elway himself.

Saccomano has been with the Broncos for three decades and then some. He was there for all five Super Bowls, including the two championships brought home in Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII. He has become essentially the team historian, one of the only people capable of compiling such a comprehensive book.

He said becoming so knowledgable about the franchise comes from both time and his interest and love of the club, and he is honored to have turned into the expert on all things Broncos.

"That means a lot to me," Saccomano said. "And this being the 50th anniversary, and the circumstances of my life that happen to include being a native and my long involvement with the team, it is particularly gratifying to me."

But the book itself is more than just a history lesson. As the title would indicate, the work is chock full of pictures from five decades of Broncos football. From some shots of the old Bears Stadium and the original 1960 uniforms to some vicious hits from the Orange Crush Defense, Elway's early days and all the way to the arrival of McDaniels, it truly is a comprehensive look at Broncos football.

It helps to demonstrate what each decade was all about when you can see the moments captured in front of you.

"We never get tired of seeing the picture of John lift the trophy, which is so significant, but the early years, the uniforms, the differences, the characters and some of the pictures that are a little, if you will, hokey by today's standards, they help tell the story along the way," Saccomano said.

That story runs through the charter AFL team's wild ride from its humble beginnings in 1960, through its emergence as a powerhouse in the late 1970s behind the "Orange Crush" defense and quarterback Craig Morton, to its rise to dynastic standing with Elway at the helm..

Saccomano said it took more than a year to put the project together, and he couldn't be more proud of the results.

"It was neat to do something that when it was done would involve many, many people knowing more about the Broncos than they did before they read the book," he said. "I'm very pleased with how it all came out."

You can pick up the book at the Broncos Team Store at Dove Valley and at INVESCO Field at Mile High, at Tattered Cover Book Store, local Barnes and Noble stores and online at Amazon.com.


http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=9370

Lonestar
09-17-2009, 06:56 PM
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT


ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos have promoted Mac Freeman to Senior Vice President of Business Development, it was announced on Thursday.

In his new position, Freeman is responsible for managing the Broncos’ marketing, ticketing, premium seating, stadium operations and community development departments.

“Mac offers energy, enthusiasm and creativity as he steps into this new role,” Broncos President and Chief Executive Officer Pat Bowlen said. “I’ve watched him grow during his time with the Broncos and Stadium Management Company, and I am pleased that he has accepted this position.”

Freeman previously was Vice President of Stadium Operations for the club during the last eight seasons and oversaw all operations of INVESCO Field at Mile High as well as Stadium Management Company. In that capacity, he led the company’s efforts in the hosting of Broncos games, the 2006 AFC Championship Game, President Barack Obama’s 2008 Democratic National Committee acceptance speech and most recently the 10-year deal to host the Colorado-Colorado State football game.

In addition, he launched and served as the Managing Director and then President of the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse.

“Mac Freeman brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new position,” Broncos Chief Operating Officer Joe Ellis said. “His abilities enable the Broncos to set their sights on achieving better business results while serving the organization’s key constituents—fans, season-ticket holders, corporate and community partners—in the best possible fashion.”

Freeman joined the Broncos in January of 2001 after serving as General Manager for the final three years at Mile High Stadium. In addition to owning extensive experience in the National Football League working together with the Broncos, Raiders and Steelers, Freeman also has worked with Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League.

With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, Freeman has worked in every type of public assembly venue, including stadiums, arenas, theaters and amphitheaters. He has significant expertise in all aspects of the sports and entertainment business, including marketing and sales, event booking and production, fiscal planning and budgeting, and facility management.

Before his time with the Broncos, Freeman was the Assistant General Manger of both Three Rivers Stadium and Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. He also was the Director of Marketing for Mellon Arena, working with the Penguins and the University of Pittsburgh basketball programs in addition to coordinating other events at the arena.

Freeman began his career in the late 1980s at the Richmond Coliseum and Mosque Theater in Richmond, Va. He went on to serve as the Director of Marketing at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Sports Arena, working with the Raiders, Clippers and the University of Southern California football and basketball programs.

A board member with the Metro Denver Sports Commission and the Denver Civic Ventures Inc., Freeman is active in the community and coaches an inner-city youth lacrosse team. He also is on the Local Host City Organizing Committee of Denver’s World Cup Bid for 2018 and 2022.

Freeman, who received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, is married to Molly and has three children: Lily, James and Jack.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=338&storyID=9371