Post by Banana Cat on Nov 14, 2011 10:16:00 GMT -5
www.marionstar.com/article/20111114/SPORTS/111140312/Blue-Racers-back
Blue Racers are back
Team holds camp to begin preparations for move to UIFL
Nov. 14, 2011
Written by Bob Putman / The Marion Star
MARION - For a few hours this past weekend the sound of football returned to Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Marion Blue Racers held a minicamp Saturday and Sunday and there was a mix of familiar names and newcomers that were looking to show head coach Lorenzo Styles what they could do.
"We are looking for cohesiveness as a team," Styles said. "We have a new coaching staff and new players and we are trying to make that jell together."
Another thing that will be different for the Blue Racers when they start playing in early March is they will be playing in a new league.
After being part of the Continental Indoor Football League in 2011, the Blue Racers have joined the Ultimate Indoor Football League.
"I am so excited about starting the 2012 season and we are serious about putting Marion on the map," general manager and CEO LaMonte Coleman said. "We have a collection of players from last year's team and we have scouting all over for top talent."
Former Marion players include Mike Tatum, Curtis McGhee, J.T. Haynes, Michael Bishop, Chris Stafford, Victor Rodriguez, Andre Troy and Marcus Fails. Former Blue Racers Brandon Ikard and Marc Huddleston are now assistant coaches.
While not with the team last year, Thomas McKenzie, who had formerly played with the Marion Mayhem, returns to scene of some of his fondest football memories.
McKenzie played for the Northern Kentucky River Monsters last season and led the UIFL in sacks and tackles for loss.
"Leaving Marion was one of the hardest things I ever had to do," McKenzie said. "I had some great experiences but something felt empty. Mr. Coleman told me I would be in the UIFL and I would be coming home. What else can you say."
UIFL commissioner Jared Lorenzen, a star at the University of Kentucky who spent time with the NFL's New York giants and Indianapolis Colts, watched over the minicamp on Saturday, getting his first look in person of one of the 12 new franchises in the 16-team league.
"We were looking to expand we were lucky enough to be able to bring them in," Lorenzen said. "Marion is perfect for us and was exactly what we were looking for."
Lorenzen was a teammate of McKenzie's on the River Monsters and was the UIFL's Most Valuable Player last season.
"I want to make myself visible to all the teams in the league and find out what questions they may have," Lorenzen said.
Styles felt it was important to bring the players together for a minicamp, despite not starting the season for a few months.
"We will see some of what our team is going to look like and we want to build upon that for our training camp," he said.
"The National Football League and Arena League have minicamps," McKenzie said. "This will give the coaches a chance to assess talent before the main training camp. It also builds some continuity with the team, players meet each other and will be working out together."
The Blue Racers open their initial UIFL season on March 3 with a familiar opponent, the Cincinnati Commandos, who defeated the Blue Racers in the 2011 CIFL championship game.
Marion plays its first home game at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum on March 10 against the Northern Kentucky Monsters.
Team holds camp to begin preparations for move to UIFL
Nov. 14, 2011
Written by Bob Putman / The Marion Star
MARION - For a few hours this past weekend the sound of football returned to Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Marion Blue Racers held a minicamp Saturday and Sunday and there was a mix of familiar names and newcomers that were looking to show head coach Lorenzo Styles what they could do.
"We are looking for cohesiveness as a team," Styles said. "We have a new coaching staff and new players and we are trying to make that jell together."
Another thing that will be different for the Blue Racers when they start playing in early March is they will be playing in a new league.
After being part of the Continental Indoor Football League in 2011, the Blue Racers have joined the Ultimate Indoor Football League.
"I am so excited about starting the 2012 season and we are serious about putting Marion on the map," general manager and CEO LaMonte Coleman said. "We have a collection of players from last year's team and we have scouting all over for top talent."
Former Marion players include Mike Tatum, Curtis McGhee, J.T. Haynes, Michael Bishop, Chris Stafford, Victor Rodriguez, Andre Troy and Marcus Fails. Former Blue Racers Brandon Ikard and Marc Huddleston are now assistant coaches.
While not with the team last year, Thomas McKenzie, who had formerly played with the Marion Mayhem, returns to scene of some of his fondest football memories.
McKenzie played for the Northern Kentucky River Monsters last season and led the UIFL in sacks and tackles for loss.
"Leaving Marion was one of the hardest things I ever had to do," McKenzie said. "I had some great experiences but something felt empty. Mr. Coleman told me I would be in the UIFL and I would be coming home. What else can you say."
UIFL commissioner Jared Lorenzen, a star at the University of Kentucky who spent time with the NFL's New York giants and Indianapolis Colts, watched over the minicamp on Saturday, getting his first look in person of one of the 12 new franchises in the 16-team league.
"We were looking to expand we were lucky enough to be able to bring them in," Lorenzen said. "Marion is perfect for us and was exactly what we were looking for."
Lorenzen was a teammate of McKenzie's on the River Monsters and was the UIFL's Most Valuable Player last season.
"I want to make myself visible to all the teams in the league and find out what questions they may have," Lorenzen said.
Styles felt it was important to bring the players together for a minicamp, despite not starting the season for a few months.
"We will see some of what our team is going to look like and we want to build upon that for our training camp," he said.
"The National Football League and Arena League have minicamps," McKenzie said. "This will give the coaches a chance to assess talent before the main training camp. It also builds some continuity with the team, players meet each other and will be working out together."
The Blue Racers open their initial UIFL season on March 3 with a familiar opponent, the Cincinnati Commandos, who defeated the Blue Racers in the 2011 CIFL championship game.
Marion plays its first home game at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum on March 10 against the Northern Kentucky Monsters.
