Centennial Celebration Host Committee to Lead Planning for Events in September 2020

The Centennial Celebration Host Committee has been formed to lead the planning for a spectacular celebration surrounding the National Football League’s Centennial on September 17, 2020. The group comprised mostly of community leaders, will spearhead the Centennial Celebration plans that will take place in Canton, the birthplace of the NFL.

Led by the Committee Chairman Jim Porter, Publisher and CEO of The Canton Repository, the group has begun work on plans for a weeklong celebration. The vision for the celebration focuses on a huge reunion of all those who have helped build the game. The Centennial Celebration will pay tribute to the history of the NFL since its founding in downtown Canton as well as serve as the kickoff to the league’s next century.

“This committee is dedicated to ensuring that we host the biggest gathering in the history of the game in Canton, where the NFL began. I look forward to teaming up with so many talented individuals who are committed to this opportunity of celebrating a game that has become an integral part of America’s fabric,” Porter shared.

The Centennial Celebration Host Committee includes:

Executive Committee

• Chairman: Jim Porter, The Canton Repository
• Vice Chairman: Denny Saunier, Canton Regional Chamber
• David Baker, Pro Football Hall of Fame
• Mark Bezos, Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village
• Pete Fierle, Pro Football Hall of Fame
• Anne Graffice, Pro Football Hall of Fame
• Rachel Gutting, Pro Football Hall of Fame
• Randy Hunt, Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty
• Dennis Nash, Kenan Advantage 

Committee

• Pete Abitante, National Football League
• Mayor Tom Bernabei, Mayor, City of Canton
• Karen Brenneman, Hall Kistler & Company, LLP
• Ally Bussey, Visit Canton
• Joe Chaddock, Stark County Educational Service Center
• Bob DeHoff, DeHoff Development
• Joe Feltes, Buckingham & Doolittle
• Dr. Jay Gershen, Northeast Ohio Medical University
• David Gilbert, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
• Joe Horrigan, Pro Football Hall of Fame
• Mark Klein, M. Klein & Company
• George Maier, Stark County Sheriff
• Rick McQueen, Akron-Canton Airport
• Anthony Muñoz, Pro Football Hall of Famer/Anthony Muñoz Foundation
• Peter O’Reilly, National Football League
• Brian Parisi, Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village
• Andrea Perry, City of Canton
• Mike Peterson, Goodyear
• Renee Powell, Clearview Golf Club
• Rodney Reasonover, Stark County Community Action
• Ed Roth, Aultman Health Foundation
• Kirk Schuring, Ohio Representative
• Bill Shivers, Huntington Bank
• Bill Smith, Stark County Commissioner
• Frank Supovitz, Fast Traffic Events & Entertainment
• Ted Swaldo, Gervasi Vineyard
• Don Taylor, Welty Building Company
• Fonda Williams, City of Canton