Steamwheelers Announce New Investors, Head Coach
September 24, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
The Quad City Steamwheelers have announced that they have signed a letter of intent to continue bringing championship-caliber Arena Football to the Quad Cities, complete with new investors and a new Head Coach.
Steamwheelers owner Mike Bawden introduced new investors Alan Millage and Joe Sisler of A&J Football, Inc. to the Quad Cities media at a press conference held Monday afternoon at Portabella's Italian Bistro. All three owners addressed the media before introducing the man who will lead the defending Midwest Division Champions in 2008, Troy Biladeau.
Biladeau, the 'Wheelers Defensive Coordinator in 2007, is staying in Quad City - the team that gave him his start in arenafootball2 during the 2001 season - as the team's new Head Coach.
Biladeau's defense finished the 2007 season ranked 10th in scoring defense, allowing only 46.1 points per game. The 'Wheelers also posted a stingy run defense, holding opponents to a meager 15.6 yards per game and only 22 rushing TDs the entire season, 8th-best in the league.
Under Biladeau's tutelage, WR/LB Jack Walker, Jr. had an amazing season, and was named the 2007 U.S. Army "Ironman of the Year." On defense, the ageless Walker posted 24.5 tackles (20 solo), 2 INTs and 1 fumble recovery. He made the most of his turnovers, returning 2 of his picks and his fumble recovery for TDs, both tops on the team.
Although this will be his first-ever head coaching position, Biladeau reached the pinnacle of success in 2006, when he claimed an arenafootball2 Championship as Defensive Coordinator of the then-expansion Spokane Shock. Biladeau's defense was ninth in total defense, giving up 258.6 yards per game and 11th in scoring defense, allowing 47.4 points per game during the regular season. In the playoffs his defense led the af2 in scoring defense (37.0) and held the Green Bay Blizzard to just 34 points in the championship game.
A native of Silver Lake, Kansas, the 36-year-old Biladeau is single and resides in Topeka. He is an avid sports fan and cites the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) as his favorite football team, and he follows both Kansas and Kansas State college sports.
The Steamwheelers also announced today that the team has extended the early bird season ticket deadline until December 1, 2007. Fans who purchase season tickets before this deadline will receive substantial savings over the walkup ticket price.
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