Roughnecks will Play in Intense Football League
September 21, 2005 - Intense Football League (Intense)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release
Odessa, TX: It is with great pride and enthusiasm that the Odessa Roughnecks announce today their plans to play in the Intense Football League. Formed in 2003, the innaugural season of the IFL saw great success in fan support and in the development and advancement of players. After a one year stint away, the Roughnecks join 5 other franchises in this venture.
"Higher salaries, a longer season, and rules designed to thrill spectators all made this league a success", stated head coach Chris Williams, "I am thrilled that we are now in a league that is best designed for players careers and to entertain the fans." The IFL will likely play a 16 game schedule between the months of April and August with an undetermined playoff format. The original rule book will be used creating a higher scoring game than that seen by Roughnecks fans in 2005. The league will also pay higher salaries and regular win bonuses to players in an effort to attract the highest quality of athlete in the nation. "Players salaries will increase over 20% on average and the rules favor a passing game. This will attract a higher level of player and will catch the eye of scouts and coaches at the next level.", Williams explained.
The IFL will have six franchises by weeks end as Wichita Falls, Texas will be up and running pending favorable lease negotiations with their arena. The other five franchises include Odessa, Belton, San Angelo, Corpus Christi, and Lake Charles, Louisiana.
League president and founder Chad Dittman is in the process of opening a league office in Corpus Christi that is expected to grow rapidly. Similarly, the roster of teams is expected to do the same as the original six franchises mentioned above will likely be eight or even ten over the upcoming weeks. Six additional markets are being explored including Laredo where negotiations are expected to conclude in a matter of days.
"We have been blessed to be given this opportunity", explained Roughnecks owner and IFL Vice President Tommy Benizio, "A better time of the year, less travel, a higher quality of player, and a more exciting product for our fans will put us in a position to continue the remarkable success that the community has given us already." The 23-7 regular season football club plans on continuing their winning ways as members of the coaching staff have already begun recruiting efforts. Reports of their success will be coming over the upcoming weeks as well as announcements regarding the 2006 coaching line up.
Further information on these or any other topics can be obtained by calling the team's offices at (432) 332-PASS (7277) or by logging onto the Roughnecks brand new website at www.RoughnecksIFL.com.
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Intense Football League Stories from September 21, 2005
- Six Teams Form to Re-Launch Intense Football League - Intense
- Roughnecks will Play in Intense Football League - West Texas Roughnecks
- Did you miss the Intensity? - Corpus Christi Hammerheads
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