Firebirds Sign Former Bearcats Standout
November 7, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Firebirds announced yesterday that they have signed the top receiver in the history of the University of Cincinnati. WR/DB LaDaris Vann agreed to terms with the AFL team on Thursday and will be one of the 37 players to attend training camp, which begins in January. The team also signed OL/DL Charlie Cook, who played for Assistant Head Coach, Mark Stoute, with the Mohegan Wolves (af2) in 2003.
Vann (5'11, 210) holds Bearcats' career-records with 204 receptions for 2,583 yards, while scoring 14 touchdowns in his four years. He was an All-Conference USA first-team selection as a senior (2002), leading the league with 71 receptions for 844 yards and five touchdowns. He was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL) on May 16, 2003, and became one of the most feared kick returners in the league this past season. He caught 21 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns, while returning 16 kicks for 307 yards and 15 punts for 147 yards (14th in CFL).
Vann shattered the University of Cincinnati's mark for consecutive games with a reception, catching a pass in each of his 46 career games, also the third-longest reception streak in the nation. He started in 33 games and compiled the most 100-yard receiving games (10), while earning first-team all conference recognition as a junior and senior. During his junior season, Vann hauled in a league-leading 73 passes for 902 yards and three touchdowns. He ranked 16th in the nation (6.6 rec/game) and 33rd in receiving yards (82.0/game). He opened the season making nine catches for 102 yards with two touchdowns against Purdue, then followed that with a career-high 12 receptions for 134 yards against Army.
"Getting a player of LaDaris' caliber will certainly add quality depth to our WR/DB's", commented General Manager John Kolner. "He is an obvious big-play guy who can make defenders miss after the catch. That is a very big component to this game, taking a short route and turning it into a potential score. You can't have enough guys on the team that are used to making big plays time and time again in their careers".
Cook (6'0, 290) was an All-American Conference 1st Team selection for the Wolves, recording 11.5 sacks (2nd in af2) and 10.5 tackles for loss (1st in af2). Cook totaled 22.0 tackles, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery (returned for a touchdown) and two pass breakups, while starting all 16 games. He was twice named the af2's ADT defensive Player of the Week and three times named the Defensive Player of the Game for the (10-6) Wolves. Cook played the 2002 season with the New Haven Ninjas (af2), recording 14.5 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles.
Cook was a standout defensive lineman at C.W. Post before playing two seasons in af2. He set the NCAA Division II record for most sacks (20.5) and tackles for loss (37) in one season. He was named Don Hansen's Football Gazette D-II Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2001 and a Don Hansen All-American for three straight years (1999-2001). Cook also earned Northeast-10 Defensive Lineman of the Year and team Defensive MVP honors in 2001.
Firebirds' season tickets for the 2004 season are on sale now and can be purchased by calling a Firebirds' ticket representative at 317.472.8080. Firebirds merchandise is also available at Home Court Gift Shop. For merchandise information, please call 317.917.2755.
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