Terry Allvord
Terrence R. Allvord (born 1964) is the founder of the U.S. Military All-Stars "Red, White and Blue Tour" and armed forces baseball in the modern-era. As a combat veteran with seven tours in the Middle East and over 5,000 flight hours he served 23 years in the U.S Navy U.S. Navy as a crew chief, rescue swimmer, naval aviator and Defense/Acquisition Program Manager for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration leading “New” end-to-end systems engineering of Network Centric Warfare, coalition & joint services worldwide developing next generation technology and evolution to significantly improve Warfighter and system performance. He currently serves as the CEO of Heroes of the Diamond operating an enterprise of baseball teams at the military, collegiate and professional levels.
Heroes of the Diamond
HOW IT BEGAN: During a visit to the Naval Aviation Museum, President H.W. Bush discussed the positive impact baseball had on morale during WWII. His comments initiated the development of military baseball in the modern era. Over two decades later, we are the only program in history to wear camouflage uniforms with historical references to represent all branches of the military and first responders on one team.
WHO WE ARE: Since 1990, more than 25,000 armed forces personnel have represented their service while paying our own expenses with a philosophy of HUSTLE, THINK, WIN! We are the "Globetrotters" of baseball. As the largest, fastest growing and most successful barnstorming team ever created, delivering competitive, exciting "must see" patriotic entertainment enjoyed by millions. We have visited 45 states and 12 countries while providing entertainment for some of the finest organizations in the world.
WHAT WE DO: The historic “Red, White and Blue Tour" delivers unique patriotic events designed to entertain your fans and honor America. We conduct a choreographed pre-game that includes "Passing the Flag" - "Walk of Honor" - and other ceremonies. Our UNIQUE events deliver positive media and community goodwill. Dates are Limited!
WHY WE DO IT: MISSION: “To Promote the Awareness of all Americans in Support of the Honorable Sacrifices our Armed Forces make at the Tip of the Spear” is based on the prominent yellow ribbon in the shape of an “S” located "front and center" in our distinctive “USA” logo symbolizes "Support" for our Troops and Veterans.
VIDEOS: [1]
MILITARY TIMES ARTICLE: [2]
BASEBALL AMERICA ARTICLE: [3]
Career
A native of Santa Monica, California, Allvord joined the U.S. Navy through the delayed entry program in June 1985 where he became an Aviation Electrician, Crew Chief and Rescue Swimmer. He began his college education while in the service and between overseas assignments graduating in 1990 from Southern Illinois University, with honors. Allvord was a standout catcher invited to attend tryouts for the 1984 U.S. Olympic Baseball Team. Although not selected for the final roster, he soon crossed paths with President H.W. Bush who wanted to see armed forces baseball survive. Allvord accepted the challenge and created over 40 single-service military teams worldwide and the only "joint" armed forces baseball program featuring players from all services on one team. In 2009, the U.S. Military All-Stars "Red, White and Blue Diplomacy Tour" visited 45 states and 8 countries to promote the awareness and support for our troops deployed overseas.
In 1993, Mr. Allvord founded the "National Search and Rescue Competition / SAR Olympics" featuring the top military and civilian Combat, Inland, Maritime and Urban Search and Rescue professionals worldwide attracting international defense, corporate and media interest.
During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Allvord served on the USS TARAWA, USS ESSEX and Commander Task Force 76, as air officer for Rear Admiral Gary Jones. He managed the President of the United States’ visit to Southeast Asia and the first-ever four plane MH-60 detachment on an L-Class ship. He has written two books for use by military recruiters: “The Mustang Handbook: Guide to Becoming a Military Officer” and “Goal Setting: Formula for Success” He was also a contributor to "When Baseball Went to War" and continues his work on a fourth book, “Home and Away: An American Life in the 9-11 Generation”.
Newport Gulls
Terry Allvord oversaw dramatic turnarounds during his tenure as Vice President, General Manager and Head Coach of the Newport Gulls, expanding fan interest and franchise values among 12 teams in 5 New England States. He led the Gulls to Back-to-Back New England Collegiate League Championships in 2001-2002 and earned Franchise of the Year, Executive of the Year Awards while setting numerous records on and off the field placing the franchise in the top three for attendance, sales, and marketing.
U.S. Military All-Stars
In 1990 he met President Bush while attending flight school in Pensacola, FL. Over twenty years later over 25,000 active duty, reserve, Veterans and first Responders have participated in the program, making it the most popular summer baseball exhibition in the world. The program has been featured on the CBS television show “JAG” in 2002. The "Red, White and Blue Tour" provides the absolute finest patriotic event possible while competing against the top summer collegiate and professional teams around the world. Under Allvord the U.S. Military All-Stars have expanded to over 40 teams at the military, collegiate and professional levels.
Honors
In 2003, he earned the Captain Harry T. Jenkins Leadership Award, was National Image Award finalist and was selected as an Advantage Hero Vet. His forces were also recognized as the highest decorated forward deployed unit in the history of the command. He served in the aftermath of numerous disasters including Hurricane Katrina and at the World Trade Center in New York City assisting in the recovery of personnel lost in the 9-11 tragedy arriving on scene less than 24-hours after the attack. His experiences led him to establish the “So Others May Live Foundation” and his story “Back from Ground Zero” was published worldwide.
References
External links
|}