Dodge Return Highlights Barnstormer Re-signings
Published on December 1, 2008 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Iowa Barnstormers News Release
DES MOINES - Former Hawkeye and all-arena league performer Tim Dodge will be returning to the Iowa Barnstormers for the 2009 season, the team's head coach and director of football operations, John Gregory, announced today.
Dodge, who will be competing in his sixth season of arena football, highlights a list of six additional returning players from the 'Stormers 2008 squad, which includes placekicker Jeff Glas, fullback JJ Payne, WR/DB Dusty Kain, OL/DL Charles Edwards, and quarterback Brian Villanueva. The team previously announced that starting quarterback Joe Brannen would be returning for the 2009 season.
"I'm excited to return to the Barnstormers for another season," said Dodge, the league's 2004 Ironman of the Year. "It's a great opportunity for me to be able to play near home and in front of the best fans in arena football".
Dodge, a Britt, Iowa native, was a two-sport athlete at The University of Iowa. In addition to playing wide receiver and special teams for the Hawkeyes' football team, Dodge earned All-American honors in track when the Iowa 4 x 400 meter relay team finished fourth at the 1999 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
"Tim is a warrior and a throwback to the days of pure Ironman-style arena football," said Gregory, noting that Dodge played wide receiver, defensive back and returned kicks during the 2008 season. "Tim provides great leadership both on and off the field. He is a tremendous role model for not only our younger players, but also for the youth of central Iowa".
Gregory also noted the additional returning players give the 2009 Barnstormers added depth and experience, saying "Jeff Glas gives us one of the most experienced and accurate kickers in the league, while having an additional experienced quarterback in Villanueva is a luxury we didn't have in 2008. I also expect significant contributions from Edwards, Kain and Payne as a year of experience in arena football makes a world of difference."
The 2009 Barnstormers Training Camp is currently scheduled to begin in mid-March 2009, with the regular season home opener scheduled for April 4. Barnstormers season tickets remain on sale for as low as $80 per seat. Call 515-633-2255 or visit www.theiowabarnstormers.com for more information.
Additional 2009 Barnstormers Re-Signings
OL/DL Charles Edwards (6'3, 282), North Carolina Central
Key 2008 Defensive Statistics: 1.5 sacks
K Jeff Glas (5'11, 190), North Dakota
Key 2008 Statistics: 14-45 FG, 74-90 XP, 116 points
WR/DBDusty Kain (5'10, 175), Simpson
Key 2008 Statistics: 4 receptions, 40 yards
FB Julius "JJ" Payne (6'0, 255), Western Illinois
Key 2008 statistics: 33 carries, 133 yards, 5 TDs
QB Brian Villanueva (6'4, 245), Fort Valley State
Key 2008 statistics: 11-22 passing, 102 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Tim Dodge's Career af2 Receiving Statistics:
Rec. Yards TD
2003 (QC) 80 1275 22
2004 (QC) 108 1596 24
2005 (QC) 104 1164 14
2006 (QC) 104 1321 27
2008 (IBS) 87 947 16
Career Totals: 483 6303 103
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