Joseph Chudada (Pops)
- Inducted 2004
- League Commissioner 96-97
Joe Chudada was Chris Chudada's biggest fan. To Chris he was a dad, coach, and best friend all in one. Chris' big dream was to play in the NFL and Joe shared that dream with him. The time came that Chris realized that his dream to play in the NFL was just that, a dream. So when Chris told Joe about an idea that he had about making and developing his own football league called the IFL, Joe, as a loving father and Chris' biggest fan backed him up all the way. Chris did all of the legwork and spent countless late nights with his father working on the new league. Both of them managed to form a rule book and purchase equipment. Joseph was there by Chris' side and was the only one that believed in the league despite all of the doubts and criticism from non-believers. Joe became the league's first commissioner while Chris played.
Joe attended every game despite being terminally ill through the 1996 season. In the middle of the 1997 season, Joseph Chudada passed away with lung cancer at the age of 57. Chris named the Ironbowl trophy in honor of him. It is called The Joe Chudada Memorial Trophy.
Chris had a few things to say about his father…
"My dad was there for me when no one else was. This league owes a great deal of respect to him because without his help and love for the game, the IFL would not be what it is today. Many people come up to me and say that it is a shame that Joe never got to see what this league has become. I tell them that he is always there in my heart and would be extremely proud if he was still around today. He would definitely be the league's biggest fan."