UIF update
November 21, 2005 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF) News Release
STEIN TO LEAD OVG: The Greyhounds will run again this spring at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia. The UIF announced the transfer of team ownership and league membership to local businessman Lou Stein. "Lou is a great addition to the league," Dakota Crow, the UIF's Executive Director said. "He brings amazing energy and a love for the Greyhounds and indoor football that is second to none. We are sad to see George Kellas and his organization move on, but we feel Lou and his group will take the team to the next level, and it ensures the success of the team in our league in the Ohio Valley for years to come." For more on the OVG transition
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US: The UIF marked its first anniversary November 17. One of our first official moves in our second year is hiring two staff members. Tom Crow joins the UIF as Director of Operations, and Dean Jackson becomes our first Director of Communications. Tom joins the management team after three years with the Sioux Falls Storm. He's been a college player and has owned his own business. He's also worked in project management, information technology and assisted in preparations for two indoor football championships, including as the event manager for United Bowl I last August. Dean comes to the UIF as a veteran sportscaster and sportswriter. For the past three years he's been the play-by-play voice of the Fort Wayne Freedom. He also departs WGL Radio after being their news and sports director for more than four years. Last season, Dean hosted OurSports Central's Under the Roof, a weekly Internet program devoted to indoor and Arena Football.
2005 HIGHLIGHTS: The 2005 season started with three former champions from other leagues and numerous other playoff qualifying teams. It promised to be a very competitive season and it lived up to the pre-season hype. When the dust settled and the crowd quieted in Sioux City last August, you couldn't have written a better ending. The Sioux Falls Storm won the UIF title 40-38 over the Bandits as Adam Hicks connected on a 35-yard field goal to win it as time expired. The kick earned Hicks recognition in Sports Illustrated's Faces section. Click here to see it in SI
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Several teams reported attendance increases to the tune of 20 percent.
Sioux Falls sold out nearly every contest in 2005.
UIF provided a video net cast of UB1.
UB1 press conference was made available through OurSports Central Radio.
Tennessee Valley moved to Illinois, to become the Rock River Raptors.
Bloomington joined the UIF for the 2006 season.
Freddie Jackson scored more than 50 touchdowns to win the first ever league MVP.
Lou Stein, a Wheeling businessman, acquires the Ohio Valley Greyhounds, keeping the tradition of OVG alive
NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN: UIF welcomes the Bloomington Extreme and the Rock River Raptors into the fold. Ric Richards, a veteran indoor coach, will lead the Raptors. Click here to find out more about Richards. Ted Schmitz will be Bloomington's coach. Click here to find out more about Schmitz. Meanwhile, Chuck Goodwin will take the reigns in Peoria. Click here for more about Goodwin. As this publication hits your e-mail box, a new coach is expected to be formally announced in Evansville. To find out click on http://www.evansvillebluecats.com
YARD MARKERS:
MOVING ON UP: Three UIF players are making the jump to the Arena Football League. The Omaha Beef Wide Receiver Mike Nizzi has signed a contract to play with the AFL Columbus Destroyers. Meanwhile, teammate and defensive lineman Damien Bauman recently signed with the New York Dragons. Lexington Horsemen defensive lineman Bobby Leffew heads to the Chicago Rush training camp. Former Peoria coach Bruce Cowdrey is the special teams coordinator and fullbacks/linebackers coach for the Rush.
COLLECTING HARDWARE: Fort Wayne Freedom head coach Matt Land is also the coach at Fort Wayne's South Side High School. Land's Archers upset Class 4A No. 4 Bishop Dwenger to give him his first-ever Sectional championship, and a one week later won the regional. The Archers finished the season 11-3, just one game short the Class state championship game. Land was the UIF's Coach of the Year in 2005.
POLL QUESTIONS: Thanks to all who vote in our weekly poll questions. We'll feature the results in the weeks to come. One of our favorites recently:
Which UIF team do you love to hate?
Ohio Valley 32.75%
Sioux City 15.07
Lexington 10.14
Sioux Falls 8.7
Fort Wayne 6.96
Omaha 5.8
Peoria 4.93
Evansville 4.93
Tennessee Valley 4.06
Tupelo 3.77
Black Hills 2.9
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United Indoor Football Association Stories from November 21, 2005
- UIF update - UIF
- Raptors announce first tryout - Rock River Raptors
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.
