Long Journey for the Wild
June 25, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Alaska Wild News Release
New head coach Sonny Rodriguez made his pro debut on Thursday against the number 2 defense in the league, the Rochester Raiders. Coach Rodriguez came out with a new style of offense that caught the Raiders by surprise. Although the Wild fell short the offense put up good numbers two weeks in a row. Jamie Williamson Threw for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns and Solomon Jones had 6 receptions for 52 yards and 2 touchdowns. "I was little nervous it was like my first game coaching all over again"stated Coach Rodriguez. The Wild headed for New York this past weekend were they tried to get some payback against the Raiders and get that elusive first road win. Despite their efforts, they were defeated by the Raiders powerful team.
Alaska Wild saving lives....
On Thursday, June 18, as the Alaska Wild prepared to leave Anchorage en route to Rochester, NY; some of their skills off of the field came into demand. On their scheduled 9:42pm flight, a medical emergency occurred as the plane departed the gate when an unidentified male passenger experienced a heart attack. Alaska Wild Equipment Manager/Assistant Medical Trainer, Veronica Smith, along with Players Jeff Tongate, a trained Firefighter in the United States Airfoce and Lealofi Lealofi, a trained Military Police Officer/Dog Handler in the United States Airforce; rushed to his aide and assisted with providing medical attention until Paramedics could arrive and take over on the scene.
Coach Sonny Rodriguez Profile:
Playing Experience:
- Air Academy High School Varsity two year letterman
-- All-state honorable mention Flanker back, Place kicker
-- State semi-finalists 1980, 1981
-University of Arkansas 1982 -1983
--Sat bench as Scout QB and Place kicker; learned cool ball tricks on side line.
-Semi-Professional Football league NFFL; 1994-1997
--Ft. Walton Beach Blaze; QB and Place kicker / League Champions 1995
Coaching Experience:
1989 - 1991 Bartlett Golden Bears; Kickers and Receivers under Coach Gary Beller
-State Champions 1989; I learned more than coached
1992-1993 Choctaw High School; QB's under coach Lionel Fayard and Dee Dowis.
-Learned more than coached
1994-1997 Head Coach Ft. Walton Beach Blaze; started team from scratch with a draft
-League Champions 1995
1998-2001 Bartlett Golden Bears; Offensive Coordinator for John Jessen
-State Semi-finals in 2000
-State Championship finalist 2001
2002-2003 Eastern Wayne High School; Offensive Coordinator under Joe Mitchell
-Led team to play-offs for first time in 5 years, set multiple offensive records
2003-2004 Charles B. Aycock High School; Offensive Coordinator under Randy Pinkowski
-First homecoming win in 15 years
-First play-offs in 10 years
2005-2006 South Anchorage High School; Scout Team Coordinator under John Lewis
-State Semi Finals 2006
2007-2008 East Anchorage High School; Offensive Coordinator under Roger Spackman
2007-Present Dimond High School; Head Coach
-Led Dimond to first playoff appearance in three years
-Ranked as high as fourth in the State
Personal:
Marital Status: Married, two kids; Son, Ryan 19 years old at the University of Wyoming, Daughter, Heather 10th grade Dimond High School, Wife, Marcy, active duty Air Force
Professional career:
22 years in U.S. Air Force / Current grade of MSgt / Retiring July 10th 2009
Education:
Bachelors Degree from Wayland Baptist University in Occupational
Education w/ Specialization in Social Science
Associates Degree from Community College of the Air Force in Aviation Maintenance Technology
Indoor Football League Stories from June 25, 2009
- Long Journey for the Wild - Alaska Wild
- Rapids' Colin Clark Named to U.S. National Team Roster - Colorado Crush
- Ice Battle Generals in Final Regular Season Game - Colorado Crush
- Playoffs in Sight for Wild - Wichita Wild
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