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 Lehigh Valley Steelhawks

The OSC Interview: Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Mike Clark

by Fran Stuchbury
July 3, 2014 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Lehigh Valley Steelhawks


OurSports Central contributor Fran Stuchbury recently interviewed Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Clark. The Steelhawks are playing in their second season in the Professional Indoor Football League after previously playing in the Indoor Football League for the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

The Steelhawks will face the Trenton Freedom Saturday night in a PIFL Conference Final playoff game.

Fran Stuchbury: You must have been very happy with the team when they rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Richmond Raiders 51-41 to advance to the PIFL playoffs for the second year in a row.

Mike Clark: We are very proud of our guys for fighting hard in that game. For three quarters it looked like a defensive battle, but we rallied together and put up 37 points in the fourth quarter to clinch a playoff berth. It was great to get the monkey off our back and finally beat Richmond. They are so talented and a very well run organization, so we knew we were in for a fight. Glad we could come out on top.

FS: This team may have had more roster moves than any other PIFL team this season. Was it a difficult task to find players who would fit with the team? How much of a challenge was that for head coach Chris Thompson?

MC: It is always difficult when you have to shuffle your roster a bunch in a season, but Coach Thompson and his staff do a great job at making sure the next man in line is ready and prepared to contribute. Everybody that has been on our 27-man roster this season has contributed in one way or another. But things like injuries, guys getting promoted, and other things make coaching in this league difficult. I am very pleased with the way our staff has dealt with adversity this season.

FS: Was shorter travel the main reason the Steelhawks switched from the Indoor Football League to the Professional Indoor Football League in 2013?

MC: It was a big contributing factor for sure, but in addition the leadership in the PIFL was a big draw as well. When you have dedicated individuals at the league level like Jeff Knight, Mike Frazier, Skip Seda, John Hargrove, Jeff Gonos, and others, that was an attractive quality of the PIFL. All these individuals have the league's well-being at heart. Now to add in people like Marques Colston, Mike Schubiger, and Dennis Williams I feel like the sky is the limit for how this league can grow. We definitely enjoyed and appreciated our time in the IFL, but have been very happy with our decision to leave that league and become a member of the PIFL.

FS: How has corporate sponsor support for the team been? I see the team has a deal with Domino's Pizza when the Steelhawks score 50 or more points, fans get half off on pizzas for a couple of days.

MC: Corporate sponsorship has grown every year we have been in existence. We are currently at over 100 what we call Performance Partners and hope that level rises next season as well. We try to customize and cater each package to the client's advertising needs. Our Domino's promotion has been a ton of fun. Every time we score 50 points in a game, which we have done in our last three contests, fans can use a promo code for 50% off pizza at participating Lehigh Valley Domino's locations. It has been such a great partnership with them that this year they decided to be a founding partner of our Steelhawks Junior Football League as well.

FS:; Are the Steelhawk players involved in the community?

MC: Very much so. In 2012 we were awarded the IFL's Community Relations Award for all our efforts in the community. Although the PIFL doesn't do league awards like that, and we aren't in it for the recognition, we feel that our community efforts are one of our biggest draws. Since day one of our organization we promised to use this team as an avenue to give back to our community, and we feel we have done that and will continue to do so. We typically have multiple appearances throughout each week, whether it's the players, our mascot Talon, or our Precious Metal Dance Team. In addition we try to help raise money for many different causes. One of our favourite charities to work with is the Race For Adam Foundation. You can learn more about them at www.raceforadam.org.

FS:. Are you developing a good rivalry with the Harrisburg Stampede, which has been refereed to as the "Keystone Classic?"

MC: Absolutely, being able to get to know Marques Colston and his efforts in the Harrisburg community have been great. He is so passionate about giving back to that area, it just motivates you to step your game up. With our organization already being friendly throughout the years with their Head Coach Bernie Nowotarski, we immediately thought, "How could we spice up this rivalry from the beginning?" So we dubbed it the "Keystone Classic." It was great seeing fans from both sides make the short travel to each other's arenas for the game, and Marques and I have already been thinking how we can take it to the next level for 2015. It is always fun and exciting when the Stampede and Steelhawks go head to head.

FS: Is there a good rivalry with the Trenton Freedom? It must be nice for fans to be able to travel to the game this Saturday since its not a long drive for them

MC: The Trenton rivalry has already formed as well from the first game this season. Each game we played against each other could have gone either way. It will surely be taken to a new level come Saturday when we head back there for the National Conference Championship game. We know a few of our fans are already planning on making the trip to Jersey.

FS: Are you not surprised Kevin O'Hanlon has done a great job with the Trenton Freedom since he was the defensive coordinator with the Steelhawks last season?

MC: Kevin is a great coach, no doubt about it. When we first met with Mike Schubiger last year, Kevin was my top recommendation for him. He knows the game, and will bring out the most in his players. His success is no surprise.

FS: Are you a fan of there being a 12-game PIFL season or would you like to see that be expanded?

MC: I think 12 games is a perfect length of season for what we do. We try and go after the NFL season, but if you try to extend it too far into the summer months, I think it could hurt your product. The twelve-game season is perfect for me, I believe.

FS: For fans who have yet to check out a Lehigh Valley Steelhawks game, why should they next season?

FS: We have a family friendly atmosphere, and our games are one big party. We aren't just selling football, we are selling fun! So even if you aren't a sports enthusiast you can have a great time at a Steelhawks game. If you catch a football in the stands, it is yours. The players and dancers are accessible for pictures and autographs after every game, and we do multiple give-aways throughout each contest. We love our fans, and we think if you come out and see just one game, you'll be hooked!

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Professional Indoor Football League Stories from July 3, 2014


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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