Wranglers Introduce New Leadership Staff, New Offensive Lineman
April 12, 2012 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Allen Wranglers News Release
Allen, TX: The Allen Wranglers announced today, at a press conference at the team's practice facility the Blue Sky Sports Center that they have filled out the leadership team for the organization, adding a new team President and two new Vice Presidents.
Joining the team in the role of team President and Co-Owner is Tommy Benizio . Benizio joins the Wranglers organization following a four year stint as the Indoor Football League's first Commissioner. Over the course of his time as Commissioner the league grew in both strength and stability. Prior to being named Commissioner, Benizio was the owner and operator of both the Intense Football League and the Odessa Roughnecks for five seasons, winning Franchise of the Year and Executive of the Year awards for his work with the team. Benizio brings over two decades of experience in the operation of professional minor league sports franchises, getting his start in the early 1990's as a player for the ECHL's Roanoke Valley Rampage. Following his brief professional hockey career, he took a position in the front office of the ECHL's Roanoke team. From that point on he worked hard at every position he held, while moving through organizations in Dayton, OH, Baton Rouge, LA, Tucson, AZ, El Paso, TX, and Knoxville, TN. It was during his second stint with the team in Roanoke that Benizio served as a founding member of the af2 while operating both the hockey and football franchises. "I am pleased to add Tommy as a partner with the Wranglers and as a leader to spearhead our operations.", stated team owner Jon Frankel .
Benizio's first order of business was to hire two professionals who could assist him in fulfilling his visions for the team. First, the Wranglers new Vice President of Sales, Barney Welch brings 18 years of sales experience to the organization. Welch got his first job in sports as a member of the Odessa Roughnecks in 2004 as the Assistant Director of Sales, eventually moving up to the position of Director of Operations. Prior to the 2008 season Welch accepted the position of General Manager with the Centex Barracudas of the IFL, a position he held through the season before becoming the General Manager of the Abilene Ruff Riders in 2009. Following brief stints with both the River City Rage and Omaha Beef, Welch returned to Odessa to work in the oil fields, prior to joining the Wranglers and jumping back in the world of professional sports. Welch brings years of Game Operations experience, winning the league's Game Ops of the Year award in 2007.
Joining the Wranglers as the Vice President of Operations is Charlie Hildbold . Hildbold broke into the sports business in 2005 as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates front office. As a member of the Outbound Ticket Sales Department, Hildbold was one of the top sales people in the department and was hired on by the Pensacola Ice Pilots of the ECHL in September 2006 as a full-time Account Executive. In the spring of 2007, Hildbold joined the Columbus Catfish of the South Atlantic League, an A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. After serving as the team's Ticket and Box Office Manager for the season he was hired by Tommy Benizio in Odessa as the Roughnecks Director of Marketing and Promotions. Following two seasons in Odessa, including the 2008 season in which he won Game Operations of the Year, Hildbold moved on to Richmond, VA, where he launched the IFL's Richmond Revolution franchise. The 2010 season saw the Revolution win the Franchise of the Year award and Media Relations of the Year award, following a 13-1 season.
"I feel blessed to have both Charlie and Barney join us as we begin efforts to serve the community and provide a great product to our fans.", said Benizio, "Both bring tremendous talent and character to our organization and I am excited about the future." With sights set on the future, the ownership and new management teams of the Wranglers move forward with great anticipation of success both on and off the field.
More information about this and other Allen Wranglers news can be found by calling the team's corporate offices at (972) 912-3131 or by logging onto www.AllenWranglers.com.
Experience and Strength added to Roster
A BEAST, IN ABBOTT, SET TO PROTECT TEAM QUARTERBACK
Allen, Texas: Today the Allen Wranglers are proud to announce, a HUGE addition to the teams' offensive line. Courtney Abbott (6'9", 340 lbs.) continues his success in the IFL, as he joins the Allen Wranglers half way through the season. Abbott was acquired through a trade with the Cedar Rapids Titans, for future considerations. He has been recognized throughout the league
for his very physical ability, and the intimidation he brings as he steps onto the field. Abbott was a known standout Offensive Lineman while he played for Florida State University, where he spent the latter part of his college career and graduated from in 2006. In 2007, he joined the Odessa Roughnecks who were at the time in the Intense Football League, where he spent three seasons under Coach Chris Williams . During the 2010 season, Abbott started with the West Michigan Thunderhawks and then finished playing the remainder of the season with the Kent Predators. In 2011, he was traded to the Lacrosse Spartans, who became the Cedar Rapids Titans in 2012, all with the Indoor Football League.
While with the Predators Abbott was a big part of the success in both the running and passing game for the team, by allowing the team to average 42.6 points per game, and 223 yards per game. The reason he has been such a big threat to teams, is because of his capability to play both sides of the line. In Odessa, Abbott recorded 1.5 tackles on defense in 2007, and one tackle on defense in 2008. The Allen Wranglers are no stranger to former Odessa Roughneck players, having the IFL's 2012 Offensive Player of the Week for week 6, Maurice Avery playing for the team.
"Having a guy like Courtney is great because of his size, his talent, and being a veteran to the Indoor Football League, just gives our team one more weapon to utilize for the remainder of the season!" stated Head Coach Pat Pimmell . "I'm excited to have him on our side, and fortunate we don't have to be the ones trying to get through him."
The Allen Wranglers have also added three other former Roughnecks to the teams' front office staff. Tommy Benizio, was announced as the Wranglers new President and Co-Owner; Barney Welch, was announced as the Wranglers new Vice President of Sales and Marketing; and Charlie Hildbold, was announced as the Wranglers new Vice President of Operations.
Be sure to join the Allen Wranglers for the game this Saturday, April 14th at the Allen Event Center, where the Wranglers will host the 2011 IFL Champions, the Sioux Falls Storm. To come support and cheer on the Wranglers to a big win, call our office for tickets at 972-912-3131.
Indoor Football League Stories from April 12, 2012
- Blizzard Return to the Resch Against Chicago - Green Bay Blizzard
- Wranglers Introduce New Leadership Staff, New Offensive Lineman - Allen Wranglers
- Reading Express vs. Bloomington Edge Game Preview - Reading Express
- Steelhawks Dearaujo Named IFL Offensive Player of the Week - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
- Sioux Falls Remains at Top of IFL Coaches Poll for Fifth Consecutive Week - IFL
- Wichita Wild Vs. Nebraska Danger - April 14th Game Preview - Wichita Wild
- Nebraska Danger to Take on Wichita Wild Saturday Night - Nebraska Danger
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.
