PIFL Columbus Lions

Lions Name Barker Director Of Communications, Announce Coaches For Indoor Classic

January 31, 2014 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus Lions of the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) announce they have named Dana Barker as the team's new Director of Communications. The team has also announced the coaches for the High School Indoor Classic that will take place on Saturday, February 8 at the Columbus Civic Center.

Barker's duties will include issuing all team press releases and game day notes, working with print and electronic media in the Columbus area, and maintaining the team's social media presence on its website, Facebook page, and Twitter account. Barker will also continue to serve as the public address voice and music coordinator for the team during all home games, a role he has held for three of the past four seasons including the team's SIFL championship season in 2010. He will also maintain his role this year as head of officials for the Columbus Lions Youth Indoor Football League.

Besides working with the Lions, Barker is in his second year as a football official for the Alabama High School Athletic Association. He is also the public address voice and in-game music coordinator for the Columbus Cottonmouths pro hockey team. Barker is employed full-time by TSYS in Columbus as a client software analyst. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Columbus State University and is a graduate of Shaw High School in Columbus. He will also graduate this fall with a Master of Science in Applied Meteorology earned online from Mississippi State University. Barker can sometimes be seen on WLTZ NBC 38 as the fill-in morning meteorologist and also helps with WLTZ's social media efforts in the weather department. He currently resides in Smiths Station, Ala. with his wife, Sarah.

"I look forward to working with the Lions this season in a closer role than before," said Barker. "The Lions have perennially set the bar in terms of media coverage, and I am looking forward to help maintain that high standard. [Lions' head] Coach [Jason] Gibson and I have discussed some new and creative ideas to increase the team's media presence that I am excited to help bring to fruition."

"Dana brings professionalism and experience to our organization but most importantly, he has a passion for indoor football," said Gibson.

The Lions will also host some of the best young football stars from the area as they will move from a 100-yard outdoor field to a 50-yard indoor field on Saturday, February 8 for the High School Indoor Classic. Players will arrive and practice at the Columbus Civic Center Thursday evening, Friday morning and evening, and Saturday morning before playing in the 7:00 PM EST game on Saturday night. The players will also take a trip to the National Infantry Museum on Fort Benning on Friday afternoon, February 7 along with coaches from both teams.

The teams will be divided into Red and Blue squads with three coaches each. Lions co-defensive coordinator Brandon Reed and YIFL coach Dan Harris will coach the Red team, while Lions co-defensive coordinator Branden Hall, Lions defensive back Damian "Nighthawk" Daniels, and YIFL coach Brent Martin will head up the Blue team. Final rosters for both teams will be released next week.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to coach not only good football players around the area but great students as well," said Hall. "This will be a successful event for the city of Columbus and surrounding areas, and the Lions are doing a great thing for the kids by giving them an opportunity to play one more high school football game."

"I'm very proud and excited at this opportunity to coach and watch these High School senior scholars in this year's High School Indoor Classic," said Martin.

"I look forward to being around competitive young kids who love the game of football and be able to see them showcase their talents in the fast paced indoor football environment," said Reed.

"I'm really excited to be a part of this event, and I am looking forward to working with these talented athletes," said Harris.

The 2014 season looks to be the best one yet for the Lions. The home opener is on Saturday, April 5 against the Richmond Raiders and will be the 100th game in Lions franchise history. Season tickets and corporate sponsorships are available now by contacting the Lions office at 706.332.3336.



Professional Indoor Football League Stories from January 31, 2014


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