Three Steamwheelers Return to 'Old Stompin' Grounds' at University of Iowa Hawkeyes Practice Bubble
March 19, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa â On Saturday three current Quad City Steamwheelers are returning to a place that was once very familiar to them. Wide receiver/defensive back Tim Dodge, offensive lineman/defensive lineman Pete Traynor, and fullback/linebacker Fred Barr used to enter the Hayden Fry Football Complex as student athletes, now they walk in as Steamwheelers.
The Steamwheelers are holding one of their pre-season practices in Iowa City at the University of Iowa's football complex this Saturday from 1-4 p.m. The Steamwheelers will use this opportunity to take advantage of a top notch indoor facility designed for football, which is something Steamwheelers coach Rich Ingold is looking forward to.
"We are going to get a lot of our kicking done and get some good scrimmage time," said Ingold. "Hopefully some of these new guys will get the kinks worked out and we will be ready to go."
Dodge, Traynor, and Barr have all played significant roles in the Hawkeyes success over the past couple of years and look forward to returning home.
"It's been a while since I have been to the football complex," said Dodge." It's always fun to go back there, I'm really looking forward to it."
Dodge, the "60-Minute Man," saw action in every Steamwheelers game last year on his way to a very productive rookie season. He finished the season with 80 receptions for 1,275 yards and 22 touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball he recorded 74 tackles, five interceptions, 21 pass break-ups, and three fumble recoveries for the season.
While at Iowa Dodge excelled as a two-sport athlete in football and track. As a senior, he played wide receiver in all 12 games for the Hawkeyes as he caught 13 passes for 138 yards. As a track man he was an NCAA All-American and one of the top sprinters in college track.
Traynor was assigned to the Steamwheelers on May 19, 2003 and was quick to make an immediate impact, recording a tackle in his first appearance of the season against Louisville. He finished the season with two tackles and played regularly throughout the season.
Since graduating from Iowa, Traynor has continued to work out in Iowa City so this Saturday will be no different for him.
"It will be nice knowing everything around you, but its football and you still just got to go out there and play hard," Traynor said.
He was the second team center his senior year at Iowa during the 2002 football season seeing action in a number of games. He was also a member of the 2002 Big Ten Champion squad that appeared in the 2003 Fed-Ex Orange Bowl.
Barr is entering his af2 rookie season with the Steamwheelers and is making a big impact after only a few practices. He is picking up the concept of Arena Football and has been handing out some big hits so far this preseason.
"Its gonna be a relaxed atmosphere on Saturday," said Barr. "I have been there so many times, but for some of the other guys are probably excited."
At Iowa Barr helped guide the 2002 Hawkeye defense to a Big Ten championship and Orange Bowl berth. The Hawkeyes defensive unit ranked fifth that season in the nation in rushing defense, as they only gave up 81.9 yards a contest. Barr was named First Team All Big Ten in 2002 along with being the Co-Defensive MVP for the Hawkeyes. In 1999 he was named third team Freshman All-American by the Sporting News.
Working at the indoor facility will also give Steamwheelers coach Rich Ingold a chance get his first look at his kickers.
"It's a great facility," Ingold said. "We are going to be able to get a lot of things done."
All three look to compete for active roster spots with the Steamwheelers this season. After the three-hour workout, Ingold will have to make his first round of cuts and bring the roster down to 30 players. He then must make his final cut to 21 on March 28.
The first game of the 2004 season for the Steamwheelers comes on April 3 against the Manchester (N.H.) Wolves. The Iowa City workout is open to the media who wish to cover it.
About Arena Football League
Often recognized as one of the nation's most affordable and fan-friendly sports leagues, the Arena Football League, the second-longest running football league in U.S. history, is in its 18th season. On the strength of its Mission Statement and Fans' Bill of Rights, the AFL is America's fastest growing sport. The Austin Wranglers join the Philadelphia Soul and New Orleans VooDoo as the three expansion teams added for the 2004 season. At least two more teams will be added in each of the next two seasons. A network-TV sport, the AFL is currently celebrating its second season on NBC in 2004.
The arenafootball2 league is in its Fifth Anniversary season and serves as the AFL's developmental league. The arenafootball2 (af2) league consists of 25 teams in medium-sized markets with the purpose of training players, coaches and officials for higher levels of football. Several former af2 coaches have joined AFL teams and more than 175 players have advanced to the AFL over the past three years.
Several players have moved on to the NFL from the af2 including the âWheelers standout defensive rush end in 2003, Asa Francis, who last month signed with the Buffalo Bills to play in NFL Europe this spring.
The Steamwheelers are gearing up for their Fifth Anniversary season as one of the charter members of the league. Season tickets are currently on sale starting as low as $54. Fans interested in purchasing season tickets may contact Steamwheelers Director of Ticket Sales Brian Forth at 563-324-4888 or toll free at 1-866-STEAMTIX. For all the up to the minute Steamwheelers news, visit www.steamwheelers.com.
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