Foster Trophy
| Foster Trophy | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Winning the ArenaBowl |
| Location | ArenaBowl (rotates cities) |
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | Arena Football League |
| First awarded | 1992 |
| Currently held by | Washington Valor |
The Foster Trophy is the trophy given to the ArenaBowl champion.[1] It was first awarded in 1992, and has been used ever since as the name of the trophy, although the current hardware is not the original item (see below) .[1] It is named after Jim Foster, the inventor of the sport of Arena football and the principal founder of the Arena Football League, also serving as the sport's first commissioner.[1]
History
The bas-relief football players on the trophy were originally sculpted in Azbro Wax by Massachusetts sculptor James Linehan for the company New England Pewter. In 2004, the design was modified by Zweigle Advertising, Inc. of St. Louis Park, Minnesota.[1]
When the San Jose SaberCats won ArenaBowl XVIII, the franchise ceased operations just months later. After disbanding, the franchise kept the Foster Trophy, not returning the property to the league. Thus, the AFL began handing out a new and smaller version of the trophy.
Appearance
The 2004 version of the trophy stands 28 inches tall, weighs 60 lbs and is worth nearly $50,000.[1] A 16-inch hand crafted hard wood column finished in stain black ebony holds the AFL Championship Bowl. The black ebony column is accented with inlaid vertical sterling silver and two surface mounted horizontal sterling silver bands that are engraved with the words, "Character, Commitment, Excellence and Teamwork." Affixed to the front of the column is the AFL logo. The base of the trophy is made of American Walnut and features a sterling silver band that will be engraved with every ArenaBowl Champion.[1]