TURFCATS
Indoor football is back
Turfcats will open in April
By John Maher
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Friday, January 16, 2009
It wasn't gone for long, but indoor football is already back in town.
The startup Austin Turfcats plan to be kicking off on April 18 for their first home contest. They'll play a 12-game schedule against other teams from Texas and Louisiana in the new Southern Indoor Football League.
When the league was formed in November, Thom Hager, league president and owner of the Louisiana Swashbucklers, said, "I'm wearing my sunglasses because the future is so bright."
On Thursday, Turfcats vice president and general manager Ronald Oswalt echoed those sentiments, saying, "The big key here for us is we've seen the Arena Football league; we've seen other leagues not thrive. The big difference is our business model. It is sound."
The Turfcats announced their plans for the coming season at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin. They'll be playing their games in surroundings not so swanky, the Travis County Exposition Center.
"It is a lower-cost arena versus playing at the University of Texas. There's nothing wrong with the arena. I'm very happy with the Travis County Expo," Oswalt said.
The Turfcats, however, will have UT ties. The coach is former UT linebacker Chris Duliban, and his assistant is former UT receiver Kerry Cash.
Duliban coached the Centex Barracudas in the Intense Football League last season and was able to pick up former UT quarterback James Brown for a successful stretch run.
"He was just dominant," Duliban said. Brown is an assistant coach at Lamar University, but Duliban has talked with him and is hopeful that Brown might be allowed to play for the Turfcats.
"We want local players. We want players with local ties," Oswalt said.
Duliban said the rules for the indoor league will be very similar to those of the Arena Football League.
The premise is simple: a scaled-down version of football, including fewer players to pay, that can be played indoors.
Rules are designed to favor the offenses so there's almost always lots of scoring and many close games. In spite of the big football fan base in Austin, however, the sport has had trouble making it here.
In 2004, the expansion Austin Wranglers began playing in the Arena Football League, which was founded in 1987, and which had raised its exposure with team owners such as John Elway and Jon Bon Jovi. Deion Sanders became a visible part-owner of the Wranglers. In 2007 the Wranglers dropped down to the sport's minor league, af2, and then, after one season at that level, closed up shop.
This December, the Arena Football League canceled its 2009 season to restructure its business model while sitting out at least part of the current recession. The AFL plans to return in 2010, but that's not a certainty.
Oswalt said, "You saw the fall of the Arena Football League. Exorbitant salaries. The tickets are outrageous. The budgets grow and grow and grow. We have a very strict budget. ... The players aren't unionized. That's the biggest key."
Players will, however, get a $50 bonus for a win. The team will hold several tryouts, and Duliban said the level of play should be similar to that of af2.
Game tickets will range from $5 to $25, with buyers getting a substantial discount on season tickets. Oswalt said 400 season tickets have already been sold, so maybe Austin will get behind the armadillo gold and the recycling green the colors of the town's latest indoor football team.
jmaher@statesman.com; 445-3956
Austin turfcats
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ronaldoswalt
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- Location: San Marcos, Texas
Player Tryouts
ATTN: Future Turfcats --- All player info is now on site for tryouts this Saturday also go to the Fan Page to download all info and have completed prior to tryouts Thanks !!!
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Caballo Diablo
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REMINDER
The Austin Turfcats will be holding open tryouts in Hutto, Texas on Saturday -- Several players from ut and texas state will be in attendance great story and photo opportunity.
For those of you not familiar with the area;
Starting at I-35 and Hwy 79 in Round Rock
Exit from I-35 at Hwy 79, this is the next exit North of FM 620 and South of FM 3406.
Go East on Hwy 79, as you pass Toll Road 130 Hutto High School will be on your right at the corner of Hwy 79 and FM 685.
Attention all future Austin Turfcats -- Please have both of these forms completed prior to your tryouts
- Forms can be downloaded here for Tryout Waiver and Tryout Bio -
http://turfcats.com/fan-zone/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Austin Turfcats Tryouts Planned For Hutto
January 15, 2009
Media contact: J. Ronald Oswalt 866-969-8228 (TCAT)
turfcats@gmail.com
Austin In a continuing effort to add talent and strive for an SIFL championship, the Austin Turfcats of the Southern Indoor Football League have scheduled a free agent tryout camp on Saturday, January 24, 2009. The tryout camp will be held at Hutto High School in Hutto, Texas. The camp will be under the direction of Turfcats Head Coach Chris Duliban and his coaching staff.
The format will consist of a variety of physical tests, including the 40 yard dash, 20 yard shuttle and the standing long jump. Participants will be timed and measured in all of these events. After an evaluation of each participants times and scores, the group will be reduced to a number of individuals who will be asked to participate in select physical drills. Another evaluation will leave the remaining to participate in skill drills which are related to Indoor Football. There will not be any contact drills.
The cost of the camp is $50 cash per individual. Registration will begin promptly at 9:00 am until 10:00 am. A thirty minute period of supervised warm-up drills will follow. Testing will begin at 10:30 am.
The camp is open to anyone who has completed their college eligibility and is physically able to perform the drills. A waiver and release form will be signed by all participants stating that they are physically able to participate and not hold the Austin Turfcats liable for any injury suffered during the camp.
Participants need to provide their own workout attire. Shorts and t-shirts along with turf or tennis shoes are recommended for the camps. Rubber molded football cleats no longer than one half inch will be permitted for tryouts. Metal football cleats are absolutely forbidden and you will not be allowed to participate. Participation in the free-agent camp is not an offer of employment but merely an evaluation. The Austin Turfcats are not responsible for travel or lodging expenses. Food will not be provided.
If you have any questions, please contact the Austin Turfcats General Manager Ronald Oswalt at roswalt@turfcats.com.
Great locations are still available for the 2009 season! Act now to reserve the best seats. Call a Season Sales Representative today at 866-969-8228 (TCAT) to reserve your seats today. The Austin Turfcats are committed to being a premier team in the Southern Indoor Football League and being involved in the community for which we serve.
For more information or get photos for media outlets or to get your 2008 Austin Turfcats season tickets, contact the Turfcats office at (866) 969-8228 (TCAT) or by electronic mail at roswalt@turfcats.com
The Austin Turfcats will be holding open tryouts in Hutto, Texas on Saturday -- Several players from ut and texas state will be in attendance great story and photo opportunity.
For those of you not familiar with the area;
Starting at I-35 and Hwy 79 in Round Rock
Exit from I-35 at Hwy 79, this is the next exit North of FM 620 and South of FM 3406.
Go East on Hwy 79, as you pass Toll Road 130 Hutto High School will be on your right at the corner of Hwy 79 and FM 685.
Attention all future Austin Turfcats -- Please have both of these forms completed prior to your tryouts
- Forms can be downloaded here for Tryout Waiver and Tryout Bio -
http://turfcats.com/fan-zone/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Austin Turfcats Tryouts Planned For Hutto
January 15, 2009
Media contact: J. Ronald Oswalt 866-969-8228 (TCAT)
turfcats@gmail.com
Austin In a continuing effort to add talent and strive for an SIFL championship, the Austin Turfcats of the Southern Indoor Football League have scheduled a free agent tryout camp on Saturday, January 24, 2009. The tryout camp will be held at Hutto High School in Hutto, Texas. The camp will be under the direction of Turfcats Head Coach Chris Duliban and his coaching staff.
The format will consist of a variety of physical tests, including the 40 yard dash, 20 yard shuttle and the standing long jump. Participants will be timed and measured in all of these events. After an evaluation of each participants times and scores, the group will be reduced to a number of individuals who will be asked to participate in select physical drills. Another evaluation will leave the remaining to participate in skill drills which are related to Indoor Football. There will not be any contact drills.
The cost of the camp is $50 cash per individual. Registration will begin promptly at 9:00 am until 10:00 am. A thirty minute period of supervised warm-up drills will follow. Testing will begin at 10:30 am.
The camp is open to anyone who has completed their college eligibility and is physically able to perform the drills. A waiver and release form will be signed by all participants stating that they are physically able to participate and not hold the Austin Turfcats liable for any injury suffered during the camp.
Participants need to provide their own workout attire. Shorts and t-shirts along with turf or tennis shoes are recommended for the camps. Rubber molded football cleats no longer than one half inch will be permitted for tryouts. Metal football cleats are absolutely forbidden and you will not be allowed to participate. Participation in the free-agent camp is not an offer of employment but merely an evaluation. The Austin Turfcats are not responsible for travel or lodging expenses. Food will not be provided.
If you have any questions, please contact the Austin Turfcats General Manager Ronald Oswalt at roswalt@turfcats.com.
Great locations are still available for the 2009 season! Act now to reserve the best seats. Call a Season Sales Representative today at 866-969-8228 (TCAT) to reserve your seats today. The Austin Turfcats are committed to being a premier team in the Southern Indoor Football League and being involved in the community for which we serve.
For more information or get photos for media outlets or to get your 2008 Austin Turfcats season tickets, contact the Turfcats office at (866) 969-8228 (TCAT) or by electronic mail at roswalt@turfcats.com
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ronaldoswalt
- Site Admin
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- Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:25 pm
- Location: San Marcos, Texas
Coaches To Appear On ESPN Radio 1530 Today
Austin, TX Turfcats Head Coach Chris Duliban and Assistant Coach Kerry Cash will be on The Bud Light Morning Rush w/Erin Hogan and Bo Chase at 1530 am ESPN Austin this morning at 8:45 a.m.
Assistant Kerry Cash will have his own spot tommorrow at the same time.
Catch the radio show and learn more abut the Turfcats.
Assistant Kerry Cash will have his own spot tommorrow at the same time.
Catch the radio show and learn more abut the Turfcats.
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ronaldoswalt
- Site Admin
- Posts: 665
- Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:25 pm
- Location: San Marcos, Texas
Tryouts
Tryouts begin this am, I have had good response from area media and expect good turnout. I will post all media links to oursportscentral as i receive them. Thanks to all for the support of the Austin Turfcats.
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Caballo Diablo
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- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:43 pm
Turfcats Selected By League To Host First SIFL Game
Austin, TX – The eyes of Texas will be upon the Southern Indoor Football League the weekend of April 18-20 with both opening weekend games taking place in the Lone Star state of Texas. The SIFL released its 2009 schedule this afternoon to all media outlets.
The Austin Turfcats will host the league’s inaugural game on Friday, April 17 when they host the Acadiana Mudbugs. “It is an honor for Austin and Central Texas to be selected as host for the first SIFL game in history, the work we have done preseason by staff and interns has been recognized by the league staff,” said Ronald Oswalt, Turfcats Vice-President/General Manager. On the following day, the Pasadena-based Texas Pirates will host the Acadiana (Lafayette) Mudbugs.
Week two will be an all Bayou week with its three Louisiana teams – Houma, Acadiana and the Louisiana (Lake Charles) Swashbucklers celebrating their home openers.
“The hard work of combining available arena dates with a level playing field for our teams in now behind us,’’ said SIFL Director of Operations Rob Winfrey. “Now we can focus on playing football.’’
Austin was awarded the honor of hosting the inaugural SIFL game for its pre-season diligence. “There’s no doubt that [Vice-President/General Manger] Ronald [Oswalt] can produce a great opening night,’’ Winfrey said. “We’re looking forward to being in Austin on April 17.’’ The regular season will feature 30 games over a 13-week period ending July 11.
The five charter teams will play an 11-game slate with six home games and five road contests while the Florida Kings, a 2010 provisional member, will play five road games that will count in the league standings for statistical purposes. However, the Kings are not eligible for a playoff berth.
Four teams will compete in the playoffs, with the semifinals on July 18 featuring the team with best regular season hosting the team with the fourth-best regular while the second-seeded team hosts the third seed. Those winners will meet in the inaugural SIFL championship game July 25.
The Austin Turfcats 2009 schedule is listed below:
Acadiana Mudbugs @ Austin Turfcats Friday 4/17/2009 7:30pm
Austin Turfcats @ Houma Conquerors Sunday 4/26/2009 5:00pm
BYE 5/2/2009
Louisiana Swashbucklers @ Austin Turfcats Saturday 5/9/2009 6:30pm
Houma Conquerors @ Austin Turfcats Saturday 5/16/2009 6:30pm
Texas Pirates @ Austin Turfcats Saturday 5/23/2009 6:30pm
Austin Turfcats @ Texas Pirates Saturday 5/30/2009 7:00pm
Florida Kings @ Austin Turfcats Saturday 6/6/2009 6:30pm
Austin Turfcats @ Louisiana Swashbucklers Monday 6/15/2009 6:30pm
Texas Pirates @ Austin Turfcats Saturday 6/20/2009 6:30pm
Austin Turfcats @ Acadiana Mudbugs Monday 6/29/2009 7:05pm
BYE 7/4/2009
Austin Turfcats Vs Texas Pirates Saturday 7/11/2009 7:00pm
Playoffs # 4 Vs # 1 7/18/2009 TBD
# 3 Vs # 2 7/18/2009 TBD
SIFL Championship 7/25/09 TBD
The schedule can be viewed in its entirely at http://www.southernifl.com and http://www.turfcats.com, which is in the final stages of revision.
Great locations are still available for the 2009 season! Act now to reserve the best seats. Call a Season Sales Representative today at 866-969-8228 (TCAT) to reserve your seats today. The Austin Turfcats are committed to being a premier team in the Southern Indoor Football League and being involved in the community for which we serve.
For more information or get photos for media outlets or to get your 2009 Austin Turfcats season tickets, contact the Turfcats office at (866) 969-8228 (TCAT) or by electronic mail at roswalt@turfcats.com
Austin, TX – The eyes of Texas will be upon the Southern Indoor Football League the weekend of April 18-20 with both opening weekend games taking place in the Lone Star state of Texas. The SIFL released its 2009 schedule this afternoon to all media outlets.
The Austin Turfcats will host the league’s inaugural game on Friday, April 17 when they host the Acadiana Mudbugs. “It is an honor for Austin and Central Texas to be selected as host for the first SIFL game in history, the work we have done preseason by staff and interns has been recognized by the league staff,” said Ronald Oswalt, Turfcats Vice-President/General Manager. On the following day, the Pasadena-based Texas Pirates will host the Acadiana (Lafayette) Mudbugs.
Week two will be an all Bayou week with its three Louisiana teams – Houma, Acadiana and the Louisiana (Lake Charles) Swashbucklers celebrating their home openers.
“The hard work of combining available arena dates with a level playing field for our teams in now behind us,’’ said SIFL Director of Operations Rob Winfrey. “Now we can focus on playing football.’’
Austin was awarded the honor of hosting the inaugural SIFL game for its pre-season diligence. “There’s no doubt that [Vice-President/General Manger] Ronald [Oswalt] can produce a great opening night,’’ Winfrey said. “We’re looking forward to being in Austin on April 17.’’ The regular season will feature 30 games over a 13-week period ending July 11.
The five charter teams will play an 11-game slate with six home games and five road contests while the Florida Kings, a 2010 provisional member, will play five road games that will count in the league standings for statistical purposes. However, the Kings are not eligible for a playoff berth.
Four teams will compete in the playoffs, with the semifinals on July 18 featuring the team with best regular season hosting the team with the fourth-best regular while the second-seeded team hosts the third seed. Those winners will meet in the inaugural SIFL championship game July 25.
The Austin Turfcats 2009 schedule is listed below:
Acadiana Mudbugs @ Austin Turfcats Friday 4/17/2009 7:30pm
Austin Turfcats @ Houma Conquerors Sunday 4/26/2009 5:00pm
BYE 5/2/2009
Louisiana Swashbucklers @ Austin Turfcats Saturday 5/9/2009 6:30pm
Houma Conquerors @ Austin Turfcats Saturday 5/16/2009 6:30pm
Texas Pirates @ Austin Turfcats Saturday 5/23/2009 6:30pm
Austin Turfcats @ Texas Pirates Saturday 5/30/2009 7:00pm
Florida Kings @ Austin Turfcats Saturday 6/6/2009 6:30pm
Austin Turfcats @ Louisiana Swashbucklers Monday 6/15/2009 6:30pm
Texas Pirates @ Austin Turfcats Saturday 6/20/2009 6:30pm
Austin Turfcats @ Acadiana Mudbugs Monday 6/29/2009 7:05pm
BYE 7/4/2009
Austin Turfcats Vs Texas Pirates Saturday 7/11/2009 7:00pm
Playoffs # 4 Vs # 1 7/18/2009 TBD
# 3 Vs # 2 7/18/2009 TBD
SIFL Championship 7/25/09 TBD
The schedule can be viewed in its entirely at http://www.southernifl.com and http://www.turfcats.com, which is in the final stages of revision.
Great locations are still available for the 2009 season! Act now to reserve the best seats. Call a Season Sales Representative today at 866-969-8228 (TCAT) to reserve your seats today. The Austin Turfcats are committed to being a premier team in the Southern Indoor Football League and being involved in the community for which we serve.
For more information or get photos for media outlets or to get your 2009 Austin Turfcats season tickets, contact the Turfcats office at (866) 969-8228 (TCAT) or by electronic mail at roswalt@turfcats.com
Last edited by Caballo Diablo on Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:58 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Caballo Diablo
- Site Admin
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- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:43 pm
January 26, 2009
Turfcats Latest News On Twitter
Austin, TX The Austin Turfcats created another avenue to interact with fans today as the Southern Indoor Football League team registered with the social networking site Twitter.
Fans can now view all articles from turfcats.com at http://twitter.com/austinturfcats.
In addition to linking fans to news articles, the team will employ text messaging, instant message and the Internet to provide up to the minute information. Twitter users have just 140 characters to answer the What are you doing?
The team continuously looks for new, interactive ways to engage our fans, said Turfcats Vice-President/General Manager Ronald Oswalt. The Twitter account is just one of our many steps to let Austin, the surrounding areas and the World Wide Web know we are ready to entertain them with great indoor football action in the SIFL. It is a great way to stay connected to Austins fastest game on turf. "
According to Twitters Web site, Twitter's core technology is a device agnostic message routing system with rudimentary social networking features. By accepting messages from sms, web, mobile web, instant message or from third party API projects, Twitter makes it easy for folks to stay connected.
Turfcats Latest News On Twitter
Austin, TX The Austin Turfcats created another avenue to interact with fans today as the Southern Indoor Football League team registered with the social networking site Twitter.
Fans can now view all articles from turfcats.com at http://twitter.com/austinturfcats.
In addition to linking fans to news articles, the team will employ text messaging, instant message and the Internet to provide up to the minute information. Twitter users have just 140 characters to answer the What are you doing?
The team continuously looks for new, interactive ways to engage our fans, said Turfcats Vice-President/General Manager Ronald Oswalt. The Twitter account is just one of our many steps to let Austin, the surrounding areas and the World Wide Web know we are ready to entertain them with great indoor football action in the SIFL. It is a great way to stay connected to Austins fastest game on turf. "
According to Twitters Web site, Twitter's core technology is a device agnostic message routing system with rudimentary social networking features. By accepting messages from sms, web, mobile web, instant message or from third party API projects, Twitter makes it easy for folks to stay connected.
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Caballo Diablo
- Site Admin
- Posts: 2159
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:43 pm
If You Love Him, Give Him Football
Austin Turfcats - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
January 29, 2009
Austin, TX - The Austin Turfcats are in a loving mood and want you to be too! The "If You Love Him, Give Him Football" Valentine's Day packages allow fans and lovers alike to enjoy the fastest game on turf in Austin at discounted rates with special incentives.
Packages begin as low as $50 for two tickets for all home games. Also, your special someone will receive a call from the Turfcats coaching staff on Valentine's Day. The bundle allows you to show that special someone in your life that you really care. With six home games, the gift will remind him of you more than just one day.
Ladies, give him something special this Valentine's Day that he will really use and appreciate, the gift of indoor football. For more information, call the Turfcats at 866-969-TCAT (8228.).
This special offer expires Feb. 13.
Austin Turfcats - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
January 29, 2009
Austin, TX - The Austin Turfcats are in a loving mood and want you to be too! The "If You Love Him, Give Him Football" Valentine's Day packages allow fans and lovers alike to enjoy the fastest game on turf in Austin at discounted rates with special incentives.
Packages begin as low as $50 for two tickets for all home games. Also, your special someone will receive a call from the Turfcats coaching staff on Valentine's Day. The bundle allows you to show that special someone in your life that you really care. With six home games, the gift will remind him of you more than just one day.
Ladies, give him something special this Valentine's Day that he will really use and appreciate, the gift of indoor football. For more information, call the Turfcats at 866-969-TCAT (8228.).
This special offer expires Feb. 13.
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Caballo Diablo
- Site Admin
- Posts: 2159
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:43 pm
February 4, 2009
Turfcats Name Teeters Equipment Manager
Austin, TX Paul Teeters has been hired as the Austin Turfcats Equipment Manager today the team announced for the upcoming 2009 SIFL inaugural season. Teeters graduated from Houston Stratford High School in 1997. In 1998, he was Assistant Equipment Manager for the Houston Thunderbears of the Arena Football League.
He also served as a student manager at University of Houston from 1997-2003. He interned in the National Football League with the New Orleans Saints in 2000 and Houston Texans in 2001.
In 2003 he was Head Equipment Manager for the Lions at the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama. More recently he has been the Head Athletic Equipment Manager for the Bearkats of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas of the Southland Conference.
I was looking for a change and a different challenge, and this seemed like a great opportunity for me, said Teeters. Ive always been a big fan of indoor and arena football, and have really enjoyed my time working with various professional football teams.
As the equipment manager, Teeters will be responsible for issuing and servicing equipment and uniforms for all of the Turfcats players in the 2009 season.
Im looking forward to being a member of the staff for the Austin Turfcats, said Teeters. Im looking forward to a smooth transition into my new position.
He is an active member in the Athletic Equipment Managers Association.
Turfcats Name Teeters Equipment Manager
Austin, TX Paul Teeters has been hired as the Austin Turfcats Equipment Manager today the team announced for the upcoming 2009 SIFL inaugural season. Teeters graduated from Houston Stratford High School in 1997. In 1998, he was Assistant Equipment Manager for the Houston Thunderbears of the Arena Football League.
He also served as a student manager at University of Houston from 1997-2003. He interned in the National Football League with the New Orleans Saints in 2000 and Houston Texans in 2001.
In 2003 he was Head Equipment Manager for the Lions at the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama. More recently he has been the Head Athletic Equipment Manager for the Bearkats of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas of the Southland Conference.
I was looking for a change and a different challenge, and this seemed like a great opportunity for me, said Teeters. Ive always been a big fan of indoor and arena football, and have really enjoyed my time working with various professional football teams.
As the equipment manager, Teeters will be responsible for issuing and servicing equipment and uniforms for all of the Turfcats players in the 2009 season.
Im looking forward to being a member of the staff for the Austin Turfcats, said Teeters. Im looking forward to a smooth transition into my new position.
He is an active member in the Athletic Equipment Managers Association.
