Mink, Raiders Move to XIFL
June 6, 2013 - Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL)
Lakeland Raiders News Release
Marion, Ohio - The Xtreme Indoor Football League (XIFL) is pleased to announce that the Lakeland Raiders have chosen to join their former league rival Missouri Monsters and Georgia Rampage in 2014. The Raiders, led by quarterback BJ Hall, were 6-3 and went to the UIFL playoffs in their first two seasons, 2012 and 2013. The Raiders are based in Lakeland, Florida with home games played at The Lakeland Center.
"The XIFL is extremely excited to welcome Mike to our premier league. His ability to compete on the field and his business savvy is the model we were looking for before we approving his application to join us. Mike has multiple years of experience accessing talent so we are counting on him to recruit the best talent locally and nationally for the XIFL" Said XIFL President LaMonte Coleman.
The team has now won 10 of 13 games played at their home site, which was newly named the "warzone". The Raiders represent the four lost Marine Raider Battalions from World War II and wear the battalion patch on the team jerseys. Last summer, Mink met the last survivors of the Battalion at a reunion in Tampa, Florida.
"What a experience to meet these heroes from America's first Special Forces unit and to represent them on our field of battle," said Mink. "We are extremely excited to be part of the XIFL, it's new vision for the game will most importantly resonate better with our fans."
Founder, Co-Owner, Managing Director and Head Coach of the Lakeland Raiders, Michael Mink has agreed to join the XIFL as the leagues Director of National Scouting. Mink, in conjunction with the Executive board, will announce four regional scouts and league combines to secure talent for the 2014 season. Mink served as the Founder and Co-Owner of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) for five years and is also a member of the minor league football hall of fame. Mink has helped move over 80 players up in his last eight years through his efforts across the country. He is currently involved in a national TV documentary series project with N Focus Pictures that will air this fall or spring. The show will depict how his murdered mother's vision led him into football; combined with how he has evolved throughout the years.
"My number one priority is to help these young men get a second chance, the XIFL has given me more opportunity to help this vision that has driven me for the last 8 years," explained Mink. "I would like to thank my partner Robert Tannenbaum and my dedicated staff for all their efforts to help keep the dream a reality."
The Raiders will have a VIP dinner in the near future to announce some additional exciting news and information on the upcoming 2014 season.
The XIFL will kick off in Late February of 2014. The League now currently has teams in Ohio, Missouri, Georgia and Florida. Further expansion will be announced in the next 60 days while the league looks to kick off the season with 8 to 12 teams. For more information on the Lakeland Raiders visit their new website (which is still under construction) at www.lakelandraiders.com. Be sure to follow Lakeland Raiders Football on Facebook and Twitter @lakelandRaiders. For further information on, Michael Mink, and the XIFL, please visitXIFLFootball.com and be sure to follow Xtreme Indoor Football on Facebook and Twitter @xiflfootball.
Ultimate Indoor Football League Stories from June 6, 2013
- Mink, Raiders Move to XIFL - Lakeland Raiders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
