Post by Banana Cat on May 18, 2011 22:52:46 GMT -5
Who needs pads with all that natural padding?
news.cincinnati.com/article/20110517/SPT/105180348/River-Monsters-thing?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Sports|p
news.cincinnati.com/article/20110517/SPT/105180348/River-Monsters-thing?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Sports|p
With Lorenzen, River Monsters aim to become N.Ky.'s team
May. 17, 2011
Written by Kevin Goheen / Enquirer contributor
Jared Lorenzen
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. -- Jared Lorenzen has a Super Bowl ring from his days as a backup quarterback with the New York Giants. He's experienced the pinnacle of professional football.
These days, the former Highlands High School and University of Kentucky star is flinging the football in locales like Pikeville, Ky., and Huntington, W.Va.
The Northern Kentucky River Monsters and the Ultimate Indoor Football League are a long way from the NFL, but Lorenzen isn't complaining. He's enjoying football as much as he ever has with the first-year team playing in a start-up league.
The River Monsters are in first place in the UIFL with a 10-2 record, a game ahead of the Saginaw Sting with two games left in the regular season, including this Saturday's home finale against the Eastern Kentucky Drillers. The River Monsters have the league's most potent offense and are undefeated at their home field, The Bank of Kentucky Center.
"We're still doing things the right way," said Lorenzen. "... I think the fans are getting behind us. It's just a joy. The stuff we do, like the autograph signings after games, you've got the fans here and we're here to make it entertaining for them. Indoor football is entertainment and a football game just happens to break out. That's how I look at it."
The UIFL is one of several indoor leagues that operate mostly on a regional basis. The level of play is equivalent to Class Double-A baseball, with the Arena Football League and its connection to the NFL generally viewed at a Class Triple-A level.
Most players make $200 per week, while stars and quarterbacks can make up to $500 per week.
The UIFL comprises six teams this season and the Rome (Ga.) River Dogs and Florida Tarpons will begin play next season, with the goal of adding four more teams to create two divisions.
Sustaining a minor-league franchise in any sport is a difficult proposition; there are no lucrative TV contracts to help offset costs, and there are plenty of tasks to be juggled by just a few people.
"We're able to look at setting high standards for the first year," River Monsters owner Jill Chitwood said. "We're trying to show Northern Kentucky that we're not a one-and-out team. ... Yes, we're close to Cincinnati, but we want to be that Northern Kentucky family feel."
The team is in the first of a three-year contract with the Bank of Kentucky Center.
Chitwood and her husband, Wayne, joined the River Monsters last October when coach Rodney Swanigan offered them jobs. They knew Swanigan from their shared days with the Marion Mayhem of the Continental Indoor Football League. Swanigan spent last season as an assistant with the Cincinnati Commandos of the CIFL.
Jill Chitwood started as the Mayhem's photographer in 2006 and since has experienced every position in pro indoor football operations besides playing and coaching.
She quickly noticed things were not being taken care of properly to have the River Monsters ready to play their opener in February. Chitwood took her concerns to ownership and asked for more control, and by January she had bought 95 percent ownership of the franchise. She'll take over full ownership in June.
"Momma C," as she is known, is a major reason why the River Monsters believe they have winning business model.
"It's that mother stability that lets you know that everything is going to be all right," Swanigan said. "She'll get on you when she needs to but praises you when you do good."
Lorenzen initially was hired to be the River Monsters' general manager but got the itch to play again. He leads the UIFL in passing yards (256.6 yards per game) and efficiency (107.1 rating), and he is second with 69 touchdown passes.
Ricardo Lenhart is the UIFL's leading receiver with 91 catches for 1,085 yards, and his 26 touchdown catches rank second. Willie Idlette is second in the league with 957 yards on 75 receptions and has 16 touchdown catches. Linebacker Jon D'Angelo leads the league in tackles with 81.
After drawing a crowd of 2,916 for the opener, attendance has averaged around 1,600 the past five home games, Chitwood said.
The River Monsters are set to host a playoff game the first weekend of June and, with wins in their final two games, would have home-field advantage for a possible championship game the following weekend as well.
"I think we're finding more and more loyal fans," Lorenzen said. ... You've got to be a different breed to like the indoor game.
"Northern Kentucky deserved a professional football team. Yes, we're not (the AFL), so you can call us minor-league, but we are a professional team that Northern Kentucky deserved. Highland Heights and The Bank of Kentucky Center have embraced us and taken us in. Campbell County is where we are, but Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Grant and everybody has really embraced us. We're on the right track, and this is only the first year."
May. 17, 2011
Written by Kevin Goheen / Enquirer contributor
Jared Lorenzen
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. -- Jared Lorenzen has a Super Bowl ring from his days as a backup quarterback with the New York Giants. He's experienced the pinnacle of professional football.
These days, the former Highlands High School and University of Kentucky star is flinging the football in locales like Pikeville, Ky., and Huntington, W.Va.
The Northern Kentucky River Monsters and the Ultimate Indoor Football League are a long way from the NFL, but Lorenzen isn't complaining. He's enjoying football as much as he ever has with the first-year team playing in a start-up league.
The River Monsters are in first place in the UIFL with a 10-2 record, a game ahead of the Saginaw Sting with two games left in the regular season, including this Saturday's home finale against the Eastern Kentucky Drillers. The River Monsters have the league's most potent offense and are undefeated at their home field, The Bank of Kentucky Center.
"We're still doing things the right way," said Lorenzen. "... I think the fans are getting behind us. It's just a joy. The stuff we do, like the autograph signings after games, you've got the fans here and we're here to make it entertaining for them. Indoor football is entertainment and a football game just happens to break out. That's how I look at it."
The UIFL is one of several indoor leagues that operate mostly on a regional basis. The level of play is equivalent to Class Double-A baseball, with the Arena Football League and its connection to the NFL generally viewed at a Class Triple-A level.
Most players make $200 per week, while stars and quarterbacks can make up to $500 per week.
The UIFL comprises six teams this season and the Rome (Ga.) River Dogs and Florida Tarpons will begin play next season, with the goal of adding four more teams to create two divisions.
Sustaining a minor-league franchise in any sport is a difficult proposition; there are no lucrative TV contracts to help offset costs, and there are plenty of tasks to be juggled by just a few people.
"We're able to look at setting high standards for the first year," River Monsters owner Jill Chitwood said. "We're trying to show Northern Kentucky that we're not a one-and-out team. ... Yes, we're close to Cincinnati, but we want to be that Northern Kentucky family feel."
The team is in the first of a three-year contract with the Bank of Kentucky Center.
Chitwood and her husband, Wayne, joined the River Monsters last October when coach Rodney Swanigan offered them jobs. They knew Swanigan from their shared days with the Marion Mayhem of the Continental Indoor Football League. Swanigan spent last season as an assistant with the Cincinnati Commandos of the CIFL.
Jill Chitwood started as the Mayhem's photographer in 2006 and since has experienced every position in pro indoor football operations besides playing and coaching.
She quickly noticed things were not being taken care of properly to have the River Monsters ready to play their opener in February. Chitwood took her concerns to ownership and asked for more control, and by January she had bought 95 percent ownership of the franchise. She'll take over full ownership in June.
"Momma C," as she is known, is a major reason why the River Monsters believe they have winning business model.
"It's that mother stability that lets you know that everything is going to be all right," Swanigan said. "She'll get on you when she needs to but praises you when you do good."
Lorenzen initially was hired to be the River Monsters' general manager but got the itch to play again. He leads the UIFL in passing yards (256.6 yards per game) and efficiency (107.1 rating), and he is second with 69 touchdown passes.
Ricardo Lenhart is the UIFL's leading receiver with 91 catches for 1,085 yards, and his 26 touchdown catches rank second. Willie Idlette is second in the league with 957 yards on 75 receptions and has 16 touchdown catches. Linebacker Jon D'Angelo leads the league in tackles with 81.
After drawing a crowd of 2,916 for the opener, attendance has averaged around 1,600 the past five home games, Chitwood said.
The River Monsters are set to host a playoff game the first weekend of June and, with wins in their final two games, would have home-field advantage for a possible championship game the following weekend as well.
"I think we're finding more and more loyal fans," Lorenzen said. ... You've got to be a different breed to like the indoor game.
"Northern Kentucky deserved a professional football team. Yes, we're not (the AFL), so you can call us minor-league, but we are a professional team that Northern Kentucky deserved. Highland Heights and The Bank of Kentucky Center have embraced us and taken us in. Campbell County is where we are, but Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Grant and everybody has really embraced us. We're on the right track, and this is only the first year."
