Frisco Indoor Football Team Becomes Official
November 16, 2006 - Intense Football League (Intense)
Frisco Thunder News Release
Frisco, Texas.: The IFL: The newest entry into the Intense Football league, Frisco Professional Football, formally introduced team owners, head coach, marque players, and other plans today at the Texas Land & Cattle restaurant in Frisco. The IFL launched operations in 2003 and began competition in the 2004 season with six Texas franchises. Competing at the "AA" level of professional football, the IFL has become nationally recognized for it's professional operation and for the development and promotion of players to the next level, the Arena Football League, the Canadian Football League, and NFL Europe. Starting in April, the league plays a 14 game schedule and boasts franchises in Anchorage, Alaska, Lake Charles, Louisiana and the seven Texas cities of Belton, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Katy, Odessa, San Angelo, and now Frisco.
The Owners: Chad Dittman, owner of the Corpus Christi Hammerheads and Tommy Benizio, owner of the Odessa Roughnecks are partners in ownership of the IFL league office and now the new Frisco franchise. Together with Florida businessman Michael Taylor, the Trio jumped at the opportunity to place a Team in Frisco. "We have watched in awe at how well operated and well received both the Texas Tornados hockey team and the Frisco RoughRiders baseball club have been," explained Tommy Benizio, "We just pray that God will lead and bless us to the same reception when we kickoff in April."
Football Operations: Additionally, the team opened things up with a racing start in the Football Operations department by announcing the teams first-ever head coach in John Loudermilk. Loudermilk helped lead the Corpus Christi Hammerheads as defensive coordinator to an appearance at the Intense Bowl last season. Prior, Jon served as a coach at the University of Houston, Hardin-Simmons University, and at Tornillo High School in El Paso. Coach Loudermilk had a couple of announcements himself in the signing of two very impressive players to begin the roster. 6' 2", 205 lb. quarterback Dustin Almond joined the Frisco franchise today after starting four seasons at Southern Mississippi where he lead the Golden Eagles to four straight bowl games. Equally impressive, Ja'Mar Toombs, a four year starter at Texas A & M was a key element in the AFL Dallas Desparados line up for four seasons. The 6' 1", 270 lb. Fullback/linebacker resides in the Metroplex as does Almond.
What's Next: A 'Name-the-Team-Contest' will be underway for two-weeks beginning this Friday, November 17th in the Frisco Enterprise Star. The team hopes that members of the Frisco and surrounding communities will participate by completing a copy of the entry blank and turning it in at the Frisco or Plano Texans Credit Union locations for a chance to be honored at the team's inaugural game in April along with a pair of season tickets for the 2007 season. The team will begin welcoming season ticket holders and corporate partners in the coming weeks along with opening offices, announcing a name and logo, and more. Far greater detail on team owners, Jon Loudermilk, the listed players, and the IFL was distributed to attendees at today's press conference. Please contact Tommy Benizio at (432) 332-7277 to receive this information or with any additional questions or log onto the teams new website, www.FriscoIFL.com.
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Intense Football League Stories from November 16, 2006
- IFL Katy kicks off - Abilene Ruff Riders
- Frisco Indoor Football Team Becomes Official - Frisco Thunder
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