Former Utah standouts back for another run with Wolves
November 9, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Manchester Wolves News Release
MANCHESTER , N.H. (November 9, 2005) - The arenafootball2 league office announced this week that former University of New Hampshire stars Mike Wells and David Bailey have been assigned to the Manchester Wolves, New Hampshire's professional Arena Football team. Wells and Bailey both played key parts on the Wolves' 2005 team that won the East Division crown and earned a trip to the second round of the af2 playoffs. The Wolves now have six (6) players on their training camp roster for 2006.
"We're real pleased to have both of these UNH guys back with us," Wolves Head Coach Ben Bennett commented. "Mike is a proven veteran and a smart Arena Football player and David is a young player with a tremendous amount of speed and potential."
Wells, a 6-2, 285-pound native of Salem, N.H., is a tough two-year af2 veteran who was the anchor of a strong Wolves offensive and defense line in 2005. In thirteen games played (all starts), the team fan favorite recorded 7.5 total tackles, one sack, seven pass breakups, and one forced fumble. Wells missed the team's final three games of the regular season (fractured left foot) but worked his way back into the lineup for the Wolves playoff game in August vs. Louisville. Wells played in 12 games with the Wolves as an Arena Football rookie in 2004 and recorded 11.0 total tackles, two sacks and five quarterback hurries. As a collegian, he started all 33 games in which he played during his final three seasons at UNH (1999-2001). He finished his four-year career with the Wildcats with 166 total tackles and 26 tackles for loss.
Bailey (5-8, 170), a Yonkers, N.Y. native, saw action late last season with the Wolves. The rookie wide receiver/defensive back quickly made an impact, catching 11 passes for 130 yards in four games, including three touchdowns. Bailey also made his presence felt on defense, recording 5.5 tackles and one pass breakup. As a collegian, Bailey was a four-year letter winner at UNH and excelled as both a wide receiver and kick returner. As a senior in 2004, he finished sixth in the Atlantic 10 in all-purpose yards (1,343) and led the Wildcats in punt return yards (330, 1 TD) and kickoff return yards (516). Bailey also ranked second on the team in receptions (54) and receiving touchdowns (4). As a junior in 2003, he earned first-team A-10 All-Conference honors as a return specialist. That season he led the A-10 in kick return average ( 28.5 yards per return) and ranked in the top 10 in the conference in receiving yards per game (55.6) and third in all-purpose yards (1,402).
In other Wolves news, the team will be holding a youth football camp for children ages 7 - 15 this Saturday, Nov. 12 at Rising Stars Sportcenter ( 68 Technology Drive) in Bedford, NH. The event will be a one-day session and will run from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Kids can learn the basics from the best as Wolves head coach Ben Bennett and members of the 2005 East Division Champion Wolves coaching staff will run the camp. A number of Wolves players will also be on hand to provide instruction to the kids. The cost of the camp is $30 and includes lunch and a special camp T-shirt. Campers must pre-register before Friday, Nov. 11 to be eligible to attend. For more details or to formally pre-register, please contact the Wolves at (603) 627-9653. Interested families can also email the team at mlestinsky@manchesterwolves.com.
Don't miss another exciting season of Manchester Wolves football in 2006! Season ticket packages for the Wolves are available for dream, lower bowl and upper bowl seats and start as low as $57. For information on season tickets, fans can contact the Wolves at 603.627.WOLF (9653) or visit them on the web at www.manchesterwolves.com.
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