af2 arenafootball2

Brett Dietz named Spalding Rookie of the Year

Published on August 17, 2006 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


CHICAGO - Louisville Fire QB BRETT DIETZ has been named the Spalding Rookie of the Year, as selected by a vote of af2 head coaches and beat writers.

Dietz, a 6-4, 220-pound product of Hanover College (Indiana), had a sizzling first season with the Fire. Starting all 16 games, the Kentucky native was in the top five of virtually every passing category all season.

Dietz led the af2 in pass efficiency this season with a rating of 126.74 and in completion percentage at 71.2 percent. He also ranked among the league's top passers in total offense (4th - 4,260 yards), touchdown passes (4th - 90) and passing yards (4th - 4,217). He also ranked third in the af2 in total touchdowns (101 - 90 passing, 11 rushing) and ninth in rushing touchdowns with a team-leading 11 scores. Bolstered by the heady and steady Dietz, the Fire earned a berth in the 2006 ArenaCup playoffs on the strength of a 9-7 regular season record.

Dietz's most impressive performance of the season came in a Week 12 win at Albany. He set an Arena Football (AFL and af2) record with 12 touchdown passes. He also threw for 314 yards on 23-of-31 passing. His effort came one week after another solid outing in a 79-69 home win against the Spokane Shock, a team that lost just two games all season. Dietz threw eight touchdowns in the victory. He earned back-to-back Schutt Offensive Player of the Week Awards for his strong showings.

Dietz, who earned a spot on the American Conference All-af2 First Team, joins an impressive list of past winners that includes Donovan Morgan (Tulsa - 2005), J.R. Thomas (W-B/Scranton - 2004), Johnny Turman (Green Bay - 2003), Lincoln Dupree (Peoria - 2002) and Matt Sauk (Tennessee Valley - 2001).

The 2006 ArenaCup playoffs continue this weekend with the Conference Championship games. Both games will be played on Saturday. In the American Conference Championship, the South Division Champion Florida Firecats host the East Division Champion Green Bay Blizzard at 7:30 p.m. ET. The National Conference Championship will feature the West Division Champion Spokane Shock hosting the Arkansas Twisters at 10:00 p.m. ET. The winner of each Conference Championship will meet at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the 2006 ArenaCup on Saturday, August 26. Tickets are available by logging on to www.ticketpop.com or by calling (866) 994-0001.



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