Beef pair honored by UIF
June 18, 2008 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Omaha Beef News Release
Omaha, NE - Quarterback James McNear and Head Coach Steve Warren of the Omaha Beef professional indoor football team have been honored by the United Indoor Football Association as Most Improved Player and Coach of the Year, respectively.
McNear, who played collegiately at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, is in the midst of his second season with the BEEF and third overall in professional football. This season, McNear completed 202 of 318 passes for 1,931 yards and 40 touchdown passes. In addition to his passing prowess, he led the team with 530 rushing yards and his 11 rushing touchdowns finished second behind teammate R.J. Rollins' 17. McNear was recently named to his first UIF All-Star game, which will be played July 19th at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
Warren, the former Nebraska Cornhusker and Green Bay Packer, is also in second season with the team and first as head coach. This season, led by Warren, the BEEF finished the regular season with a 10-4 mark and earned the team's ninth playoff berth in nine seasons. Season highlights have included ending the Sioux Falls Storm's record 40-game winning streak on March 29th, a seven-game winning streak of their own, and also leading several UIF categories including turnover margin (+18), rushing offense (averaging 96.2 yards per game), rushing defense (allowing only 55.9 yards per game). Kicker Ricky Lebeda also led the UIF with 120 points, which came on a league-high 21 field goals and 57 extra points.
BEEF Team President Dakota Crow is thrilled for McNear and Warren.
"I am so happy for both James and Steve," Crow said. "Both of them are very deserving of their awards. They have both shown incredible leadership and tenacity this season. James came back to Omaha with a renewed sense of purpose this year and that has truly paid off. He has been a great asset to the BEEF organization both on and off the field. With his natural ability, strong character and work ethic the sky is the limit for James in the future. I have had the chance to know dozens of coaches in Indoor Football and Coach Warren's natural leadership ability and personal character are second-to-none. Steve has worked closely with our other coaches to help rebuild our football program on the field this year. Coaches Tommie Williams, Tony Veland and James Kerwin help make up, what I believe, is the best all-around coaching staff in the league. Steve has done a great job in his first year as head coach and we look forward to even bigger things in the future."
This weekend, McNear and Warren will lead the BEEF in the first round of the UIF playoffs. Omaha travels to Billings, Montana, where they will meet the Outlaws at 8:05 p.m. Central, 7:05 p.m. Mountain. The game marks the third time this season and second straight in the playoffs that the teams will meet. If fans cannot attend the game, they are encouraged to listen to it on KKAR 1290 AM Radio (www.1290kkar.com) with Matt SantaMaria and Colby Laughhunn on the call or purchase it via the B2 Networks at www.b2livetv.com.
Other UIF award recipients were:
Chris Dixon, quarterback, Billings Outlaws Most Valuable Player/Player of the Year
and Offensive Player of the Year
Joe Bevis, linebacker, RiverCity Rage Defensive Player of the Year
Peter Christofilakos, kicker, Bloomington Extreme Special Teams Player of the Year
Chad Kapanui, quarterback, Sioux City Bandits Offensive Rookie of the Year
Travonti Johnson, defensive back, Billings Outlaws Defensive Rookie of the Year
The BEEF are in their ninth year of Professional Indoor Football in Omaha, NE. Home games are played March through June. All home games start at 7:00pm at "The Slaughterhouse" - Omaha Civic Auditorium. The Beef are a member of the United Indoor Football Association, the premier indoor football league in America. The Omaha Beef are committed to making a positive difference in the Omaha area through football, fun and community service. For more information about the BEEF call (402) 346-BEEF (2333) or log on to www.BEEFFOOTBALL.com.
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United Indoor Football Association Stories from June 18, 2008
- Christofilakos earns UIF honor - Bloomington Extreme
- Beef pair honored by UIF - Omaha Beef
- Chris Dixon and Travonti Johnson Honored for the 2008 Season - Billings Outlaws
- Side Pockets To Host Viewing Party For Omaha Beef Playoff Game - Omaha Beef
- Bevis Named Defensive Player of the Year - RiverCity Rage
- 2008 United Indoor Football League-Wide Awards Announced - UIF
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