1. Steve Donner is an American sports executive, team owner, and manager.
16 Facts About Steve Donner
1. 2.
Steve Donner is the founding Commissioner of the Professional Box Lacrosse Association, and the co-owner of the Elmira Mammoth of the Federal Prospects Hockey League.
3.
Steve Donner is the former president and CEO of the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League, and the founder and CEO of the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League, the Rochester Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse and the Rochester Raging Rhinos of the United Soccer League.
4.
Steve Donner has served as chief executive of numerous other professional sports teams and ventures.
5.
Steve Donner was born and raised in Rochester, New York where he grew up in the city's 19th Ward neighborhood.
6.
Steve Donner graduated from Aquinas Institute high school in 1975 and attended the University of Dayton, where he played goaltender on the school's varsity hockey team.
7.
Steve Donner was credited with establishing Fan Land, a fan interactive area in the ThunderDome Sports Complex which was the first of its kind in pro sports.
8.
In July 1994, Steve Donner returned home when he was named president and Chief Administrative Officer of the Rochester Americans, who were owned at the time by Seymour and Northrup Knox of the Buffalo Sabres.
9.
Steve Donner would become the managing general partner of the new ownership group, and remain as president and CEO of the franchise.
10.
Steve Donner, in turn contacted businessman and friend Frank DuRoss of Utica, NY as a potential investor.
11.
Steve Donner helped bring professional soccer and lacrosse to his home town of Rochester, New York.
12.
Steve Donner was instrumental in the development and construction of the ESL Sports Centre and PAETEC Park in Rochester.
13.
Steve Donner has brought a total of eight championship teams to the City of Rochester.
14.
Steve Donner was AHL executive of the year in 1996 and was inducted into the United Soccer Leagues Hall of Fame in 2006, the Frontier Field Walk of Fame in 2014 and the Rochester Knighthawks Hall of Fame in 2014.
15.
Steve Donner spearheaded the relocation of the Orlando Titans of the National Lacrosse League from New York City and was instrumental in bringing the Austin USL franchise to Orlando, which became the MLS Orlando City SC.
16.
In June 2022, Steve Donner was named Commissioner of the fledgling Professional Box Lacrosse Association, an eight-team regional professional men's indoor lacrosse league which he co-founded.