Southern Amateur Football Association
Current season, competition or edition: 2012 SAFA Season | |
 | |
| Sport | American Football |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 |
| Inaugural season | 2012 |
| CEO | Anthony L. Smith, Sr. |
| Motto | “The Pursuit of Perfection” |
| No. of teams | 8 |
| Country |
 United States |
| Most recent champion(s) | South Florida Storm |
| Official website | |
The Southern Amateur Football Association (SAFA) was an organized adult amateur American football league. The SAFA was headquartered in Orlando, Florida, and operated on an eleven week regular season game schedule during which each team had one bye week and played ten games.
Generally, each team was scheduled to play all other teams in their division at least once, and likewise for all other teams outside the division within the conference and/or league. The season would start in early February and run weekly to late April. The post-season was similar to that of the National Football League (NFL) in that it was set up for a wildcard playoff round as well as subsequent rounds to advance to the league championship game, the Superior Bowl.
The SAFA began the 2012 regular season with ten (10) charter member teams from the state of Florida. By mid-season, the membership had dwindled to eight teams after two member organizations folded their operations.
Superior Bowl-I was held on May 26, 2012 at South County Regional Stadium in Port St Lucie, Florida. The South Florida Storm defeated the Gainesville Gators, 35-20. Earlier on that same date, the Colonial Conference All-Stars posted a victory over the Sun Conference All-Stars, 26-14.
SAFA closed operations on January 10, 2013, due to a lack of competitive membership for a full 10-game schedule.
SAFA Board of Directors
- Anthony L. Smith, Sr. (CEO/Chairman)
- Alex L. Jenkins, Sr. (Vice-Chairman)
- Mark K. Trueblood (Secretary/Treasurer)
SAFA Executive Board Members: 2011-2012
- Anthony L. Smith, Sr.(President)
- Alex L. Jenkins, Sr. (Vice-President, Office of League Development)
- Mark K. Trueblood (Vice-President, Office of Administration & Compliance)
- Andy Alexander (Vice-President, Office of League Affairs)
- John C. Walters (Vice-President, Office of League Officials)
SAFA Administrative Positions: 2011-2012
- Jasper Starks (Sergeant-At-Arms)
- David Price (Director of Officials)
SAFA Member Teams
During the 2012 season the league had two conferences (Colonial and Sun) and two divisions (North and South). Below is a list of the charter member organizations that began the 2012 season:
Colonial Conference
North Division
- Orlando Rattlers (Orlando)
- Gainesville Gators (Gainesville)
- Ocala Stallions (Ocala)
- Bay Area Tigers (Tampa)
- Volusia County Eagles (Daytona Beach)
Sun Conference
South Division
- Palm Beach Mariners (West Palm Beach)
- Florida Stingrays (Fort Myers)
- Pompano Beach Yellowtails (Pompano Beach)
- South Florida Saints (Fort Lauderdale)
- South Florida Storm (Miami)
SAFA Superior Bowl Championship Game Results
- 2012 – South Florida Storm 35, Gainesville Gators 20
SAFA Grand Bowl All-Star Game Results
- 2012 – Colonial Conference 26, Sun Conference 14
Sources
Mark K. Trueblood, Vice-President, Office of Administration & Compliance for the Southern Amateur Football Association (Office address: 1601 Boardman Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407; Business phone: 561-398-0617).