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Post by indoor on Jul 7, 2011 7:50:15 GMT -5
Colorado Ice Announce Press Conference For Thursday, July 7th at 11:00 am Fort Collins, CO – The Colorado Ice would like to invite all members of the media to attend a press conference on Thursday, July 7th, 2011 at 11:00 am. The press conference will be held at the Budweiser Events Center in the Executive Club Restaurant. Main topic scheduled is changes in coaching and organizational staff for 2012 Season. Additional topics to be discussed are roster updates for 2012 and 2011 Season Recap. Players and staff members will be available for individual interviews after the press conference concludes. The press conference will tentatively conclude at 12:00 noon. The Ice organization asks that all media representatives RSVP as soon as possible. For any questions regarding the press conference and to RSVP, please contact Aaron Freimark, Director of Football Operations at (970) 472-0128 or a.freimark@thecoloradoice.com. The Colorado Ice are proud members of the Indoor Football League (IFL). All home games are played on Majestic Roofing Field at the Budweiser Events Center located in Loveland, Colorado. 2012 Season Tickets are available by contacting the Colorado Ice offices at (970) 472-0128. More information can be found at www.thecoloradoice.com.
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Post by indoor on Jul 7, 2011 7:51:41 GMT -5
Looks like BC will be a genius based on what he posted very early this year.
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Post by indoor on Jul 7, 2011 15:19:25 GMT -5
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Post by Banana Cat on Jul 7, 2011 16:55:25 GMT -5
Looks like BC will be a genius based on what he posted very early this year. Naw. I think many of us saw that coming.
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Post by Banana Cat on Jul 7, 2011 17:12:55 GMT -5
Definitely a good move for the Ice. O'Neal, Riggs, and Fuller are the three best coaches in the sport.
Some more history on O'Neal (from the Billings Outlaws site):
Coach O'Neal's football career began at Mt. Carmel High School located in Chicago, IL where his teammates included Donavan McNabb and Simeon Rice. After high school, O'Neal's athletic ability earned him a football athletic scholarship to Western Michigan University from 1993-1997. During his college career, O'Neal started 34 of 41 collegiate games and finished his college career ranked 2nd in his school's history in pass break-ups.
During his senior season in 1997, O'Neal was ranked 1st in the MAC conference in pass break-ups and led his team with 85 total tackles and 4 interceptions. O'Neal was a member of the Student Athletic Council Rep in 1996, honorable mention/coaches Award in 1997, and also was honorable mention All-Conference/Coaches Award in 1997. Because of Heron O'Neal's honors, awards, and activities he was invited to the National Combine in 1998 where he was one of only 330 players in the country invited to perform in front of NFL coaches and scouts.
Also, O'Neal's educational background is having a B.S. from Western Michigan University located in Kalamazoo, MI where he majored in Exercise Science and minored in Sociology. O'Neal was then selected in 1998 as a free agent rookie to the Jacksonville Jaguars where he participated as a practice squad player. After remaining on the practice squad for most of the season, O'Neal was signed off of Jacksonville's practice squad to compete for a roster spot in training camp. After being released by Jacksonville Jaguars, O'Neal was signed by the Chicago Bears in 1999. In 2000, O'Neal rebound his football career in the Arena Football League (AFL) where he played for the Milwaukee Mustangs from 2000-2001. As a Milwaukee Mustang, O'Neal started 21 of 28 games as a Defensive Specialist. In 2000, O'Neal recorded 13 pass break-ups, 48 total tackles, and 2 interceptions. In 2001,O'Neal led his team with 18 pass break-ups, and finished 2nd with 58 tackles. In 2002, O'Neal went on to play for the Mohegan Wolves who are apart of Arena Football League 2 (AFL2) where he started 16 of 16 games as a Defensive Specialist. He was voted Team Defensive MVP leading the Wolves' with 26 pass break-ups, 6 interceptions, and ranked 2nd on the team with 57 tackles. In 2003, O'Neal moved on to play for the Green Bay Blizzard Arena Football team (AFL2). O'Neal started 6 of 6 games as a Defensive Specialist before sustaining a career ending shoulder injury.
In 2004, O'Neal spent time rehabbing from multiple shoulder surgeries before moving on in 2005 as Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator for the Wyoming Cavalry in the National Indoor Football League (NIFL). Coach O'Neal assisted the team in turning around their record from 5-9 in 2004, to a franchise best 10-4 in 2005, and a first round playoff birth. Unfortunately, they fell short losing to Tri-Cities who would eventually become 2005 NIFL Champions. In 2006, Coach O'Neal was offered a Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator position for the Billings Outlaws in the National Indoor Football League (NIFL) where he assisted the team turn around their record from 4-10 in 2005, to a franchise best 16-1 in 2006, also including a NIFL Championship. In 2007, Coach O'Neal continued his career as Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator for the Billings Outlaws in the United Indoor Football League (UIFL) where he led his team to the 2007 Western Conference Finals.
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Post by Banana Cat on Jul 7, 2011 19:02:36 GMT -5
I suspected they had something like this in place when they hired O'Neal. He's definitely brought the team to a new level this year and next year should be even better once he gets some players he wants in. The owner seems willing to build a winner, so I can see them spending some money next year.
From Oursportscentral:
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psx234
Team Captain
Posts: 281
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Post by psx234 on Jul 8, 2011 7:39:45 GMT -5
They definably seem to be positioning Colorado to become a major power in the IFL. As always this will help increase the excitement of an already interesting fast approaching off season. It will be very interesting to see how this affects player movements.
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Post by Banana Cat on Jul 8, 2011 17:40:12 GMT -5
Yes. What do you think is the over/under on former Billings players ending up there next year? Dixon isn't going anywhere, but I'm sure there will be plenty of other ex-Outlaws considering it.
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Post by Bouncer_Texxx on Jul 8, 2011 18:03:16 GMT -5
I don't anticipate any of the starters going anywhere. The ones to watch will be the 2nd tier that were scattered in Kent, Wyoming, Omaha, Sioux Falls, Colorado, and elsewhere.
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Post by Banana Cat on Jul 8, 2011 18:09:09 GMT -5
You typed Sioux Falls...lol.
Hard to say on the former Outlaws in Sioux Falls this year. Colorado lifestyle does have a lot more to offer than Sioux Falls...could be a factor.
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Post by Banana Cat on Jul 8, 2011 18:20:28 GMT -5
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Post by Banana Cat on Jul 8, 2011 18:24:52 GMT -5
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psx234
Team Captain
Posts: 281
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Post by psx234 on Jul 11, 2011 8:03:45 GMT -5
You typed Sioux Falls...lol. Hard to say on the former Outlaws in Sioux Falls this year. Colorado lifestyle does have a lot more to offer than Sioux Falls...could be a factor. That area is awesome, it will only help their recruitment. They have the possibility of being a very scary 2012 team. Hopefully more fans will follow for them.
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