Tide win quarterback sweepstakes
January 30, 2007 - Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)
Chesapeake Tide News Release
(Upper Marlboro, Maryland) - The Chesapeake Tide emerged victorious as they signed quarterback, Chris Thompson, to their inaugural spring training camp after a competitive battle with American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) Reading Express. Thompson, a veteran of the indoor pro game with stints in the af2, NIFL and AIFL, is a significant piece to the ultimate Chesapeake Tide puzzle.
To date, the Chesapeake Tide has signed an array of talented players covering all positions from defense to offense and in between. But the addition of Thompson vying for the QB position will add indoor football experience to an important leadership position and hopefully bring out those same characteristics in the players around him.
"Chris is exactly the kind of player we need in this program," said general manager Jeff Golas. "That's the reason we've been fighting so hard to get him on our team, we know the kind of play he expects and we think he'll elevate everyone else's play, this is really huge for us!"
Thompson grew up in Manheim, Pennsylvania where he was a three year letter-winner for the AAA powerhouse Manheim Central high school. During his three years there, his Barons won three straight District Championships and had 3 straight State playoff appearances. The Manheim Central Barons have also produced athletes such as Pittsburgh Steelers starting fullback Dan Kreider and AFL quarterback and Michigan State alumni, Jeff Smoker.
Football helped carry Thompson to Division II powerhouse, Bloomsburg University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. During his tenure at Bloomsburg, Thompson set passing records, including completion percentage in a game at 85%, touchdowns in a game twice with four and touchdowns in a season with 25. He was honored as a First team All Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) selection as well as an Honorable Mention Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) selection.
During his junior and senior seasons, Thompson helped carry his Bloomsburg Huskies to the PSAC Championship, were named the Lambert Cup Champions and made appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs both years. Thompson currently ranks amongst the top ten for most yardage in a career by a Bloomsburg QB with more than 3,500.
Thompson continued his football career post-college with over four years of professional indoor experience. His first of which was with the af2's Cape Fear Wildcats. From there he was picked up b the Greenville Riverhawks where he completed 30 of 50 pass attempts for 430 yards and 6 touchdowns. Thompson entered next season with the AIFL's Johnstown Riverhawks, where he helped lead his team to a semi-final playoff appearance against the Richmond Speed, who went on to win the AIFL Championship. This past season, Thompson garnered experience with a first year AIFL program, the Reading Express, who finished with a 13-3 record in their first season.
A born leader, Thompson's indoor experience and knowledge of the game will count an invaluable asset to this first year program. With a thorough blend of young ambitious, recently graduated college players; and knowledgeable, precise, veteran indoor players; the Tide has raised the bar for their inaugural season. High expectations have been set, but the Tide is certainly up for the challenge.
Continental Indoor Football League Stories from January 30, 2007
- Tide win quarterback sweepstakes - Chesapeake Tide
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