Post by BNDC on Dec 21, 2012 9:29:07 GMT -5
siouxcityjournal.com/sports/football/amateur/bandits-preparing-for-new-season-in-new-league/article_8b07a291-8bd9-5876-8b69-55a8fbfac844.html
SIOUX CITY | The Sioux City Bandits have proven they know how to win.
But that is not something that takes place only when the Bandits take the football field. Bandit head coach Erv Strohbeen and the rest of his staff is busy as it builds a team it hopes will compete for a title in the newly formed Champions Professional Indoor Football League.
Sioux City is coming off a pair of championships in the American Professional Football League and a 28-0 record over that time, but that doesn't mean there is no work to be done.
"We have won two championships in the past with the guys, but we are always looking to upgrade the roster and push the guys that are here," Strohbeen said.
The Bandits have already resigned several key veterans for the upcoming season such as quarterback Scott Jensen and running back Drew Prohaska, but the team added seven new faces to the roster after Saturday's open tryout.
"We brought in some good, talented guys from the tryout," Strohbeen said. "It wasn't as many quantity but there was good quality there.
"Those guys that we have already signed are the meat and potatoes, the heart and soul of our football team. They make this thing go, and then what we do is sign those guys and make it hopefully appealing for other guys we are trying to recruit."
The Bandits have made an effort to sign not only talented players but ones that are visible in the Sioux City community. The team seems committed to connecting with its fan base, and one of those ways is by bringing back familiar faces.
The familiarity is also seen as one of the best ways to ensure a quick start to the season when it kicks off for the team March 15 against the Bloomington Edge in Illinois.
With training camp beginning in February, Strohbeen has to fill a few key positions on his team.
"We have guys that have previous indoor experience on previous teams ... and you will find a good crew of young guys just out of college mostly at the skill positions to be honest with you," he said. "I am still looking for linemen in every corner."
Strohbeen knows he may not have to go too far to add more quality players to his roster with a Morningside College football team fresh off a NAIA national runner-up finish.
"Losing a championship game is never a good feeling and we know that, but hopefully it leaves them hungry for more because we would love to have all their seniors," he said. "They definitely have some great ballplayers."
Stohbeen also likes the idea of bringing in as many teammates as possible when signing players which helps build a cohesive group quickly.
The CPIFL will bring new challenges and several familiar faces lining up against the Bandits beginning in March. Mid-Missouri, Tulsa, Omaha, Kansas, Bloomington and Wichita are all teams that Sioux City has played in recent seasons in different leagues.
"These teams are traditionally very competitive football teams with the Bandits in the past," Strohbeen said. "There is a good opportunity that there will be a good game on our schedule each Friday."
The competition may be ramped up for the Bandits this season and Strohbeen welcomes the challenge.
"There were games that quite honestly we knew we were going to win (last season)," he said. "It wasn't every week, but I think in this new league it is going to make guys laser-focus and coaches prepare better."
The Bandits do have one more open tryout at the Tyson Events Center on Jan. 20 on the football turf.
But that is not something that takes place only when the Bandits take the football field. Bandit head coach Erv Strohbeen and the rest of his staff is busy as it builds a team it hopes will compete for a title in the newly formed Champions Professional Indoor Football League.
Sioux City is coming off a pair of championships in the American Professional Football League and a 28-0 record over that time, but that doesn't mean there is no work to be done.
"We have won two championships in the past with the guys, but we are always looking to upgrade the roster and push the guys that are here," Strohbeen said.
The Bandits have already resigned several key veterans for the upcoming season such as quarterback Scott Jensen and running back Drew Prohaska, but the team added seven new faces to the roster after Saturday's open tryout.
"We brought in some good, talented guys from the tryout," Strohbeen said. "It wasn't as many quantity but there was good quality there.
"Those guys that we have already signed are the meat and potatoes, the heart and soul of our football team. They make this thing go, and then what we do is sign those guys and make it hopefully appealing for other guys we are trying to recruit."
The Bandits have made an effort to sign not only talented players but ones that are visible in the Sioux City community. The team seems committed to connecting with its fan base, and one of those ways is by bringing back familiar faces.
The familiarity is also seen as one of the best ways to ensure a quick start to the season when it kicks off for the team March 15 against the Bloomington Edge in Illinois.
With training camp beginning in February, Strohbeen has to fill a few key positions on his team.
"We have guys that have previous indoor experience on previous teams ... and you will find a good crew of young guys just out of college mostly at the skill positions to be honest with you," he said. "I am still looking for linemen in every corner."
Strohbeen knows he may not have to go too far to add more quality players to his roster with a Morningside College football team fresh off a NAIA national runner-up finish.
"Losing a championship game is never a good feeling and we know that, but hopefully it leaves them hungry for more because we would love to have all their seniors," he said. "They definitely have some great ballplayers."
Stohbeen also likes the idea of bringing in as many teammates as possible when signing players which helps build a cohesive group quickly.
The CPIFL will bring new challenges and several familiar faces lining up against the Bandits beginning in March. Mid-Missouri, Tulsa, Omaha, Kansas, Bloomington and Wichita are all teams that Sioux City has played in recent seasons in different leagues.
"These teams are traditionally very competitive football teams with the Bandits in the past," Strohbeen said. "There is a good opportunity that there will be a good game on our schedule each Friday."
The competition may be ramped up for the Bandits this season and Strohbeen welcomes the challenge.
"There were games that quite honestly we knew we were going to win (last season)," he said. "It wasn't every week, but I think in this new league it is going to make guys laser-focus and coaches prepare better."
The Bandits do have one more open tryout at the Tyson Events Center on Jan. 20 on the football turf.