Albany Empire Names Beau Bell as Director of Player Personnel
Monday March 26, 2018
EMPIRE NAMES BRANDON GOLDSTEIN AS DIRECTOR OF PLAYER OPERATIONS
ALBANY- The Albany Empire announce that two-time Arena Football League Champion, Beau Bell, has been named as the team’s Director of Player Personnel/Pass Rush Coordinator effective immediately. Per League and team rules, terms are not disclosed.
Bell spent the last two seasons playing for the Philadelphia Soul, winning two championships with the team. In 2017, Bell was named to the first team all arena team, defensive player of the year, and was a recipient of the Commissioners Award; which recognizes an individual who has done considerable work to grow the game of Arena Football.
After an accolade filled collegiate career at UNLV, Bell was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 4th round of the 2008 NFL draft. Bell was cut by the Browns in 2009 but continued to play football in both the United Football League and the Canadian Football league before finding a home in the Arena Football League in 2011.
Bell’s first season in the Arena Football League was with the Spokane Shock, a team led by now Albany Empire Head Coach, Rob Keefe. “He has always been a leader both on and off the field,” said Rob Keefe, Head Coach of the Albany Empire. “It was a no-brainer to bring him onto my staff. He is up for any challenge and will quickly be involved within the community. The experience he brings and his hunger to win will go along way in having the Empire be successful in years to come!”
Bell was intrigued by the position with the Albany Empire the day Keefe was hired as Head Coach. He says that he is excited to be apart of a successful inaugural season, and like the rest of the staff, has his sights on a championship.
“Why coach at all if you don’t want to win?” Said Bell. “Let’s give the city of Albany something to be excited about!”
Brandon Goldstein comes to the Empire from Florida, working on Coach Keefe’s staff since 2014. A graduate of the University of Central Florida, Goldstein began as a football operations intern under Keefe with the Orlando Predators. In 2015, Goldstein interned again on the staff, but was soon offered the position of Assistant Director of Football Operations when another member of Keefe’s staff moved on. Just a year later, Goldstein was promoted to Director of Football Operations for the Predators.
In 2017, the Predators ceased operations, causing Goldstein to step away from Arena Football temporarily. He began working at NBC Universal on the Golf Channel. Goldstein still kept in touch with Keefe during his time away from the game and remained involved with assisting Keefe with various youth camps.
When Keefe accepted the job as the head coach of the Albany Empire, he immediately reached out to Brandon to bring him along. Brandon, having family in the area and wanting to get back into the game, accepted with little hesitation.
“I expect nothing but perfection for the Empire,” said Goldstein. “The organization has shown nothing but professionalism and determination since day one.”
Don’t miss your opportunity to witness history as Arena Football returns to Albany! Fans can secure their single game tickets for the Albany Empire’s inaugural game at TheAlbanyEmpire.com. Also available are 2018 season tickets, flex packs, group outings and inaugural game family 4 packs at 518-533-2200 or at www.TheAlbanyEmpire.com!
Albany Empire 2018 Inaugural Season Presented By CDPHP.
About Albany Empire
The Arena Football League’s newest franchise, The Albany Empire will begin play on April 14, 2018 at the Times Union Center. Season memberships for the inaugural 2018 season are on sale now. For tickets, contact the Albany Empire sales department at (518) 533-2200 or by going to TheAlbanyEmpire.com. Follow the team on Facebook at facebook.com/TheAlbanyEmpire and Twitter at twitter.com/Albany_Empire.
About Arena Football League
The Arena Football League will enter its 31st Season in 2018. Since its inception in 1987, the Arena Football League has showcased a fast-paced and exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. Teams slated for 2018 include: Albany, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. CBS Sports Network nationally broadcasts AFL games each week, culminating with the ArenaBowl. The AFL launched AFLNow, the League’s streaming “Over-the-Top” network to give fans even more access to the League on arenafootball.com. For all the latest news and discussion on the Arena Football League follow the AFL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@aflarenaball)
About Times Union Center
Albany’s Times Union Center, formerly Pepsi Arena, continues to have great success. Renamed in January 2007, the The Times Union Center is “Upstate New York’s Premier Sports and Entertainment Facility. Owned by Albany County and operated by SMG, the world’s largest private management firm for public assembly facilities, the Times Union Center has an adaptable seating capacity between 6,000 and 17,500. Since Frank Sinatra christened the building on January 30, 1990, more than seven million patrons have walked through the turnstiles. As a multi-purpose facility, the Times Union Center has hosted a variety of events, including concerts, family shows and sporting events, averaging 165 events each year.
About CDPHP®
Established in 1984, CDPHP is a physician-founded, member-focused and community-based not-for-profit health plan that offers high-quality affordable health insurance plans to members in 24 counties throughout New York. CDPHP is also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram.