IFL Sioux City Bandits

Bandits Announce Additional Player Signings for 2009 and Veteran Player Retirement

Published on February 12, 2009 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Sioux City Bandits News Release


(February 12, 2009 Sioux City, IA) The Sioux City Bandits of the Indoor Football League are pleased to announce additional signings for the 2009 season announced today by Head Coach Jarrod DeGeorgia.

Ralph Scott (LB 6'3, 240 lbs) Scott played last season for the Augusta Colts in the AIFA League and was named the League Defensive Player of the Year. On the season, he played in 13 games, had 53 ½ total tackles, 11 ½ tackles for loss for 49 yards, 5 sacks for 28 yards and recovered 2 fumbles. Coach DeGeorgia says "Ralph is a player that will be a cornerstone for the defense. He has great size and sees the field very well. Last season, his numbers speak for themselves as he was named Defensive Player of the Year in his league. We are excited to bring him in to compete for the linebacker position."

Eric Wilson (DB/WR 5'10, 205 lbs) Wilson returns for the Bandits for his second season. Eric played four games with the Bandits last season, getting 22 tackles and one fumble recovery. Eric played his college career at San Jose State, and was one of the final cuts of the AFL San Jose Sabercats in 2008.

Billy Siffin (DL, 6'5, 285 lbs) Siffin played four years at Wayne State College as a tight end. He earned All-American Honors for the North Texas Stampede (TUFL). Siffin is currently the Defensive Coordinator at Sioux City West High School.

Frank Hill (QB/WR, 6'4, 220 lbs) Hill split last year in the Intense Football League with the CenTex Barracudas and the Katy Roughriders. For CenTex, he played 4 games, catching 3 passes for 25 yards and 2 touchdowns. With Katy, Hill had 4 receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown. Prior to that, he played for the Illinois Firehawks semi-pro team.

Bruce Jones (QB/WR, 6'1 205 lbs) Jones played at Northland Junior College in Minnesota. In 2004, he played in the North American Football League for the Fort Walton Beach Falcons. In 2007, Jones played for the London Silverbacks, where he threw for over 1,000 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions leading the Silverbacks to the Division Championships. In 2008, also with London, he threw for 1,200 yards, 13 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

Also today, the Bandits announce the retirement of 8-year veteran, Erv Strohbeen. He leads the Bandits' franchise in games played with 86 (plus 15 with the Attack in 2000). Strohbeen played in every season that the Bandits have played football, from 2001 - 2008. He is a native of Sioux City, having played multi-sports for the West High Wolverines and moved on to play college football for the Wayne State College Wildcats. While at Wayne, Strohbeen met a number of his future Bandits teammates, including Head Coach Jarrod DeGeorgia.

Mark Carley, Assistant GM noted, "[Strohbeen] has been one of the Bandits' most popular players throughout his career and has been a very visible player in the community promoting the Bandits. Erv has bled black and red throughout his career and we thank him for everything he has done for the team."

Coach DeGeorgia added, "Having played with Erv for all these years has meant a lot to me from our first Wayne State game to our last Bandits game. We've developed a great friendship and have had lots of memories. We've argued on the field together like brothers, but we've always had the same goal in mind to win that football game. I thank him for protecting me all those years! He's the most knowledgeable player in his position that I've ever met and it's going to be hard to replace him. Losing Erv Strohbeen is like losing Fred Jackson. I, and the Bandits, wish nothing but the best in the future for him and his family."

The Bandits start Training Camp on Feb. 27 and open the 2009 regular season on March 15th, at the Billings Outlaws. Home opener is scheduled for March 21st, with the Bloomington Xtreme at the Tyson Events Center.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Indoor Football League Stories from February 12, 2009


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.

OurSports Central