Sports stats



Shawn Liotta Returns to the Erie Sidelines for 2010

September 8, 2009 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Erie Explosion News Release


(Erie, PA) - The Erie RiverRats of the American Indoor Football Association announced today that Shawn Liotta, who led the franchise to playoff appearances in its first two seasons, has agreed to return to the Erie sidelines for the 2010 season as the team's Head Coach and Director of Football Operations.

Coach Liotta has developed a reputation as one of the most innovative offensive minds in indoor football evidenced by having led two different quarterbacks in two seasons to recognition as AIFA All-Stars, including David Dinkins in 2007 and Rod Rutherford in 2008. Not to be outdone, Liotta's 2008 defensive squad finished in the top three in the AIFA in several categories including defensive touchdowns scored, fumbles recovered, quarterback sacks, and opponent third down conversions.

"Obviously, we're excited for Erie football that Shawn has agreed to return to our franchise. We know what we're getting with Shawn's great work ethic and his proven ability to recruit high-level professional athletes, and his high-powered offense will keep the Tullio Arena scoreboard operators busy. Shawn has made the commitment to spend more time in the Erie area, including holding all of our practices here, which was an important issue for us, and we're delighted to have him back." commented Jeff Hauser, representing Erie Professional Football Inc.

In his first year as a professional Head Coach in 2007, Liotta led the franchise, then based in Pittsburgh, to the playoffs in its inaugural season, rebounding from an 0-3 start to finish the regular season with a 7-7 record. The highlights of the 2007 season included a convincing 62-33 win over then-defending league champion Canton, and a 86-72 victory against the Erie Freeze, where Liotta's club set the record for most points scored in an AIFA game. Liotta was rewarded for his first-year accomplishments with his selection to head the North Division All-Star squad in the AIFA's All-Star game played in Florence, which his team won 58-45.

In his second year with the franchise, now relocated to Erie for 2008, Liotta led the team to a 10-4 regular-season record and a share of the Northern Division title. Erie was almost unstoppable at the Tullio Arena, winning six of seven, including the franchise's first victory over Reading, perennially one of the AIFA's top teams. Liotta built a talented roster including several well-known players with previous Erie indoor football connections, including OL Anthony Peluso, LB Roosevelt Benjamin, WR Darmel Whitfield, DB Sam Reynolds, PK J.R. Cipra, and Dinkins, and supplemented it with new talent such as Rutherford, DB Jovon Johnson, LB Glenroy Watkins, DL Phil Tillman, WR Eugene Baker and several others with previous NFL and AFL ties.

According to Liotta, "I really enjoyed my first year in Erie and I look forward to reconnecting with the media and the great fans we have at the Tullio Arena. We were on the verge of something really special in 2008 and I'm looking forward to the challenge of reclaiming that momentum and building on it. We'll definitely be high-tempo, throwing the ball all over the place, and we'll keep making the highlight plays. Making the playoffs was a good first step, but we didn't finish the job. In 2010, the Northern Division champion hosts the AIFA championship game, and we fully intend on hosting that game at the Tullio Arena. Don't sleep on us."

Erie Professional Football Inc. will be making several exciting announcements in the next few weeks, including the introduction of the full investor group and some other important items. To keep up with the latest news on Erie's professional football franchise, visit us on the web at www.erieriverrats.com.

• Discuss this story on the American Indoor Football Association message board...

American Indoor Football Association Stories from September 8, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Erie Explosion Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central