Flying Aces Sign Two
June 8, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Rapid City Flying Aces News Release
Rapid City, SD - The Rapid City Flying Aces, of the National Indoor Football League, announced today the signing of two free agents to bolster their roster in preparation for the NIFL Playoffs. The Flying Aces have reached contract agreements with the following individuals:
Defensive Back - Jacob Elimimian
Quarterback - Jamar Culver
"These last two signings are just as important in the building of this team as it first was at the beginning of our season." said Head Coach Dan Maciejczak. "Elimimian brings a lot of experience to our club as a former NCAA D-1 player and will be looked towards as key contributor for this season. Bringing in Jamar Culver was important for us in helping establish depth at the QB position."
ELIMIMIAN (5-11, 185, San Diego State) was considered one of the best cover corners in the Mountain West Conference in 2003 when he earned All-Conference Honors. He's a ball hawk when the ball is in the air, breaking up 18 passes and picking off four and returning one of those for a touchdown as a sophomore.
As a junior, San Diego State Head Coach Tom Craft indefinitely suspended the standout cornerback, saying he violated a team policy in academics. His focus then switched from football to school. Elimimian, whose family originates from Nigeria and now lives in Los Angeles, was able to gain an acceptable GPA through hard work and dedication, and was allowed to practice with the football team and prepare for his senior season.
Elimimian's senior season began with a lot of high expectations after he was named as a 2005 Pre-Season Honorable Mention All-American Candidate rated by College Football News, pretty high expectations for a player who didn't play his junior season.
Aztecs Head Coach Tom Craft had a lot of high expectations as well, but those expectations fell short when Elimimian suffered a broken right arm in pre-game warm-ups vs. Air Force an injury that forced him to be sidelined his entire senior season. Rather than taking a medical red-shirt, he decided to enter the NFL Draft, but went undrafted due to lack of exposure, something he'll be sure to get plenty of as a Flying Ace. His brother, Abraham, plays in the NFL for the Chicago Bears.
CULVER (6-4, 225, Minot State) is a good former starting quarterback for Minot State University in North Dakota. Fresh out of college, Culver has great size, physical toughness, and decent mobility. He threw for over 1,665 yards and had a 55% completion percentage as a senior. Culver will be backing up starter Albert Higgs and will use this season as an opportunity to learn about the indoor game from the old veteran QB.
The Rapid City Flying Aces will play their final home game of the regular season when they kickoff on Saturday, June 17th at 7:05 p.m. against the Billings Outlaws in the confines of the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The storyline continues to grow as the Outlaws are the only team to have beaten the Aces this season. Both teams will go to battle with (10-1) overall records, meaning this game will decide which team has home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Rapid City Flying Aces single game tickets are on sale now at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center or can be purchased by calling 1-800 GOT-MINE or visiting: www.gotmine.com.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from June 8, 2006
- Flying Aces Sign Two - Rapid City Flying Aces
- Meet the Maulers: Maulers Team up with Quiznos, Sports Radio 740 and Calhouns Foods - Montgomery Bears
- Outlaws Getting the Respect they Deserve - Billings Outlaws
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