Post by Banana Cat on Feb 13, 2011 22:05:41 GMT -5
Nice map.
www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x70753504/New-league-new-team
www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x70753504/New-league-new-team
Huntington Hammer set to debut
February 12, 2011
DAVID WALSH / The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON -- It's time for Mary Cerullo, Steve Fickert and Josh Resignalo to officially start measuring results for all the time they've put in to get Huntington's third indoor football franchise up and running.
The Huntington Hammer is one of six founding members in the Ultimate Indoor Football League. The Hammer will play 14 games in 2011 -- seven at Big Sandy Superstore Arena and seven away. The opener is Feb. 20 at home against the Canton Cougars.
"It's been a good experience so far," said Fickert, the Hammer's general manager. "I like the area, we have a good building and the people have been friendly. The goal is to give them a reason to come to the games."
The River Cities LocoMotives gave it a try in 2001, and lasted just one season in the National Indoor Football League. The Huntington Heroes made it three years (2006-2008) in the American Indoor Football Association/League. They played the first season at Veterans Memorial Field House and the next two at Big Sandy. With each franchise, financial problems led to the demise.
In each case, several former Marshall University players were on the rosters. Six former Thundering Herd players reported to training camp this year.
Cerullo, director of team operations, has been occupied getting the word out on the Hammer to businesses, organizations and the community in general. For example, Hammer players and Hammer Girls (cheerleaders) attended the Success by 6 on Feb. 5 at Big Sandy. United Way River Cities put on the event. Players signed autographs and assisted the children in their tasks.
"Being a part of the community is one of our main goals," Cerrullo said. She makes personal pitches or dials up possible clients out of the team's new headquarters on the Ninth Street Plaza near Marshall Hall of Fame Cafe.
Cerullo said the reception from the business and civic communities is better now than when Huntington was awarded the UIFL franchise in July 2010. The cold shoulders are beginning to warm.
"I hit walls. I heard no before yes," Cerullo said. "I ask them for the opportunity to talk and tell our story. It's been a complete turnaround the last 30 days. People have been more receptive."
Fickert and Resignalo, who's in his first year as a head coach, used their backgrounds to secure talent for the Hammer. Fickert is a former coach at all levels of indoor and outdoor football. Resignalo played indoor football and ran free agent camps for the AFL's Tulsa Talons. The two scouted talent at free agent camps.
The Hammer opened training camp with 36 players. Only 18 will be on the active roster. Resignalo took a look at the players under game conditions in a situational scrimmage Tuesday night.
Coaches, players and staff members met with fans after the scrimmage.
"We've got some tough decisions to make," Resignalo said, referring to cuts he'll be making this week. "There is some real competition out there and the players all are feeling a little pressure. It was fun to meet the fans, too."
On offense, the Hammer plans to be up tempo. The team ran 75 plays Tuesday night.
"The pace that we want to keep this season is a little different than what most of the players are used to," Fickert said. "What we have indoors is more fast-paced. ... we want these guys ready to push the defense to the limits and get our timing down."
Cerullo spent much of the scrimmage working an information table at the front of the arena. She and Fickert found time to mix in with the fans to get their impressions. Young fans participated in a field-goal kicking contest. Games and prize drawings will be a part of Hammer home games.
Andrew Haines and Michael Taylor are the UIFL co-founders. Haines also started the AIFL (American Indoor Football League), which the Heroes competed in before the league saw two teams fold midway through the season. The league eventually reorganized and became the AIFA (American Indoor Football Association), which is the name it operates under today.
The biggest difference between the AIFL and UIFL is that teams will operate under a salary cap for players and coaches while also saving money on league dues and territory fees.
Michael Owens, a former Marshall player, is one holdover from the Heroes days. He played defensive back for the Heroes. He's the defensive coordinator for the Hammer.
Owens said his message to fans is to forget the past.
"It's time to move forward," he said. "I'm on board with these people. I like where we're headed. Just give it a chance."
February 12, 2011
DAVID WALSH / The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON -- It's time for Mary Cerullo, Steve Fickert and Josh Resignalo to officially start measuring results for all the time they've put in to get Huntington's third indoor football franchise up and running.
The Huntington Hammer is one of six founding members in the Ultimate Indoor Football League. The Hammer will play 14 games in 2011 -- seven at Big Sandy Superstore Arena and seven away. The opener is Feb. 20 at home against the Canton Cougars.
"It's been a good experience so far," said Fickert, the Hammer's general manager. "I like the area, we have a good building and the people have been friendly. The goal is to give them a reason to come to the games."
The River Cities LocoMotives gave it a try in 2001, and lasted just one season in the National Indoor Football League. The Huntington Heroes made it three years (2006-2008) in the American Indoor Football Association/League. They played the first season at Veterans Memorial Field House and the next two at Big Sandy. With each franchise, financial problems led to the demise.
In each case, several former Marshall University players were on the rosters. Six former Thundering Herd players reported to training camp this year.
Cerullo, director of team operations, has been occupied getting the word out on the Hammer to businesses, organizations and the community in general. For example, Hammer players and Hammer Girls (cheerleaders) attended the Success by 6 on Feb. 5 at Big Sandy. United Way River Cities put on the event. Players signed autographs and assisted the children in their tasks.
"Being a part of the community is one of our main goals," Cerrullo said. She makes personal pitches or dials up possible clients out of the team's new headquarters on the Ninth Street Plaza near Marshall Hall of Fame Cafe.
Cerullo said the reception from the business and civic communities is better now than when Huntington was awarded the UIFL franchise in July 2010. The cold shoulders are beginning to warm.
"I hit walls. I heard no before yes," Cerullo said. "I ask them for the opportunity to talk and tell our story. It's been a complete turnaround the last 30 days. People have been more receptive."
Fickert and Resignalo, who's in his first year as a head coach, used their backgrounds to secure talent for the Hammer. Fickert is a former coach at all levels of indoor and outdoor football. Resignalo played indoor football and ran free agent camps for the AFL's Tulsa Talons. The two scouted talent at free agent camps.
The Hammer opened training camp with 36 players. Only 18 will be on the active roster. Resignalo took a look at the players under game conditions in a situational scrimmage Tuesday night.
Coaches, players and staff members met with fans after the scrimmage.
"We've got some tough decisions to make," Resignalo said, referring to cuts he'll be making this week. "There is some real competition out there and the players all are feeling a little pressure. It was fun to meet the fans, too."
On offense, the Hammer plans to be up tempo. The team ran 75 plays Tuesday night.
"The pace that we want to keep this season is a little different than what most of the players are used to," Fickert said. "What we have indoors is more fast-paced. ... we want these guys ready to push the defense to the limits and get our timing down."
Cerullo spent much of the scrimmage working an information table at the front of the arena. She and Fickert found time to mix in with the fans to get their impressions. Young fans participated in a field-goal kicking contest. Games and prize drawings will be a part of Hammer home games.
Andrew Haines and Michael Taylor are the UIFL co-founders. Haines also started the AIFL (American Indoor Football League), which the Heroes competed in before the league saw two teams fold midway through the season. The league eventually reorganized and became the AIFA (American Indoor Football Association), which is the name it operates under today.
The biggest difference between the AIFL and UIFL is that teams will operate under a salary cap for players and coaches while also saving money on league dues and territory fees.
Michael Owens, a former Marshall player, is one holdover from the Heroes days. He played defensive back for the Heroes. He's the defensive coordinator for the Hammer.
Owens said his message to fans is to forget the past.
"It's time to move forward," he said. "I'm on board with these people. I like where we're headed. Just give it a chance."