Alex Leibkind

(May 19, 2006) We were desperately sad to hear the news about Alex's passing. It's very hard for us to imagine the Rhein Fire without the incomparable contributions from Alex through the years. His innovations made the Fire into an incredible success, introducing the excitement of American Football to thousands of new fans, and the Fire game day experience set the standard for the other teams to follow. And for two Scotsmen who would take in many of these days in Dusseldorf, he always went out of his way to make us feel especially welcome. We send our sympathies to Alex's family and friends

The Scottish Cheddarheads

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When one looks back at the development of NFLE in the mid to late 1990's (or WLAF as it was known then), there is no doubt in our minds that the league would never have made it into the next millennium without the role played by Alexander Leibkind.

Flying the flag for Scotland, Dusseldorf 2001

After the 1995 season - the league was on shaky ground. The Frankfurt Galaxy were the only team with a solid fanbase and it was imperative for the league's survival that another team came forward to match their success. Step forward the Rhein Fire and Leibkind. Taking over from Oliver Luck, Leibkind used an array of innovative ideas to sell the Rhein Fire to the local fanbase, and the results were stunning. From 1996 to 2001 average attendance increased every year, starting from 1995's low point of 16,371 all the way up to 35,026 in 2001 - representing more than a doubling over this time. Incredibly by 2000 they had even overtaken the Frankfurt Galaxy in attendance - a situation many thought was impossible! Numbers aside, by the late 1990's the Fire home games become THE event of the league - a party atmosphere combined with a terrific entertainment, with acts ranging from Scooter to Status Quo. And with the lack of other successful local teams - the Rhein Fire had become the number one team in town, even getting a street named after them.

Training Camp Tampa, 2002

By coincidence or not, results on the field also dramatically changed under Leibkind. In 1997, they went 7-3 and made their first World Bowl falling short versus the Dragons. The journey was completed in 1998 however, as they won the World Bowl in memorable fashion blasting the Galaxy 34-10 in Frankfurt. A potential repeat in 1999 was only stopped on the season's final weekend when the Galaxy missed four field goals in a controversial loss, which ensured that Frankfurt wouldn't meet a red-hot Fire team in the final. In 2000, there was no mistake as they claimed their 2nd World Bowl in 3 years defeating the Claymores 13-10, again in Frankfurt. Another WB appearance followed in 2002, but the Thunder spoiled the Rheinstadion closing party edging the Fire 26-20. However 4 World Bowl appearances in 5 years was a feat that hasn't been bettered.

Consoling Shuggie after another Dusseldorf loss in 2002

Alex had many other sporting interests. He had represented Germany in Judo in the 1976 Montreal Olympics - and headed up a local committee that tried to get the 2012 games to Dusseldorf. Before the Fire, he had worked in PR and sports marketing, help set up and organise a variety of different events. But he had a personal interest in American Football - being a former amateur player, playing at cornerback for Germany in their first international contest back in 1981. Always seeking new challenges, he left the Fire in 2004 to become general manager of the Dusseldorf Marketing and Tourism GmbH (DMT). His last project was setting up a unique marketing-partnership between New York and Dusseldorf which is due to start in June 2006. For example Dusseldorf will promote its partnership-campaign on media space at bus shelters, street poles and on the Staten Island ferry. In many ways, this sounds like the hallmark of his unique work in marketing the Fire through the years. Let's hope it leaves a similar lasting legacy.

On the boat to Cologne in 2004 - Alex was happy to sign our "Save the Claymores" petition and felt strongly that we should remain in the league

Alex always knew how to put on a show for the fans (Cologne, 2004)

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