Reunited: Cunningham named president Block 22; Trapp to run Idaho Sports Properties
The owners of Qwest Arena, Idaho Steelheads Hockey Club and the Boise Burn announced today that John Cunningham has been named President of Block22, LLC and Eric Trapp as President of Idaho Sports Properties.
With an extensive background in sports and arena management, Cunningham brings 15 years of experience to oversee the business operations of Qwest Arena and Idaho Sports Properties, which manages the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL) and Boise Burn (arenafootball2). Cunningham assumes his position after serving as president of PGE Park, the Portland Beavers and Portland Timbers in Portland, Oregon. He replaces former president Glenn Stanford who recently left to take over as President and Governor of the American Hockey League’s Hamilton Bull Dogs.
Under Cunningham, who assumed his duties with PGE Park and its teams in February 2005, the Beavers and Timbers realized unprecedented growth in his two seasons of leadership, including a substantial increase in ticket sales, attendance, corporate partnerships and the number of large-scale events held at the 20,000-seat stadium located in downtown Portland.
Cunningham returns to Qwest Arena, where he previously served as the general manager of the 5,000-seat arena that is the home venue of the Idaho Steelheads, the Boise Burn and the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League, among other attractions. Prior to joining the Beavers and Timbers, Cunningham also served as the general manager and vice president of operations for the Steelheads.
“Though I thoroughly enjoyed working in Portland and will miss the city, staff and great relationships I established, I’m excited and greatly appreciative of the opportunity to return to Boise and Qwest Arena,” said Cunningham. “I look forward to becoming a part of the community again, and having called Boise home for many years, my family and I feel like we’re coming home.”
Cunningham and his wife Jamie have three children, Jack 7, Bailey 5 and Claire 2. He will assume his new duties on January 2nd.
Trapp, most recently took over as general manager of the Idaho Steelheads in February 2005, but has held several positions under Idaho Sports Properties with Diamond Sports Management in sales and marketing since 1991. He was promoted to vice president in 1996 and oversaw the operations of the Boise Hawks, Sioux City Explorers and El Paso Diablos baseball teams. In addition to overseeing the business side of the Idaho Steelheads, Trapp will be responsible for the start up and operations of the Boise Burn who will take to the field for their inaugural season in Spring of 2007.
Trapp was instrumental in negotiating the 2005 Qwest Arena naming rights agreement as well as brought several feature partners to the building.
“John and I have a great working relationship dating back to 1991 with the Boise Hawks, and it’s exciting to have him back,” said Trapp. “As for me, I look forward to continuing our success with the Steelheads and building the Burn to become as successful a minor league team as we’ve built the Steelheads to be. We’re grateful for support we’ve already received from the community.”
Trapp assumes his responsibilities immediately.
ABOUT BLOCK 22, LLC and IDAHO SPORTS PROPERTIES
Idaho Sports Properties is owned by Block22 a Boise-based limited liability company that owns and operates the Grove Hotel, Qwest Arena and Idaho Steelheads professional hockey team, and operates the Boise Burn professional football club as one-third ownership group.
– www.qwestarenaidaho.com –