Post by TNmike on Jan 24, 2007 13:37:38 GMT -5
:smileyfreeze:
from the home page:
January 23, 2007 - Erie, PA) After an unusually warm start to the winter season, the temperatures around the Erie area plummeted over the weekend. As has been the case for the two previous seasons, when the weather turns a bit colder it can only mean one thing: the Erie Freeze indoor football team has commenced training camp.
The familiar cold weather might be one of the few recognizable remnants of a Freeze organization that has been one of the more successful franchises in any Indoor Football League. The 2007 campaign brings to the forefront a more stable coaching staff, ownership commitment, sponsor base, and most importantly a loyal roster that will battle for starting positions in camp.
The first change that fans will notice is a switch in league names. Gone is the American Indoor Football League and its often enigmatic owner Andrew Haines, in its place is the more structured and highly organized American Indoor Football Association. The AIFA’s managerial group is own of the most proactive and innovative in modern small market sports franchising and the Freeze has already asserted itself as a model franchise.
Secondly, there is finally solidity at the coaching position. Returning in his third year of affiliation with the Freeze is head coach Dave Arnold. Arnold has been with the Freeze since its first season and took over the head coaching reigns for Jerry Crafts halfway through last season. 2007 marks the first time that Arnold will put his own stamp on the team from day one.
Arnold said, “I’m truly excited about our prospects this year. We’re going to take the best of what worked before, eliminate some of the negatives that plagued us last year, and focus firmly on the goals that will make us successful this year.”
A successful year is also in the sights for Freeze owner Dave Hodas. “This year is probably the most relaxed I’ve been since we’ve started the club. Oh, there’s always some nervous anticipation about starting the season and the product on the field, but this year is the first time we have been 100% focused on the same vision.”
“It’s taken some time, but I think fans will see our dedication and that Erie Freeze football is REAL football for this town. The relationship between this team and this city is like a family. Is every day perfect? No. Will there be concerns along the way? Sure. But at the end of the day we still stick together and work things out,” added Hodas.
“One of the things that we want to focus on is making the games more accessible to families in general. We’re going to change the atmosphere in the “Igloo” and bring a spark to the crowd. Really, how many places can you take a family of four out for an exciting night on the town and only spend $ 20?” questioned Hodas.
Hodas may be the Freeze’s biggest fan, but his growth as an owner of a professional sports franchise has been a trial by fire. Hodas beamed, “Listen, I’m the biggest football fan around, but it’s been a process learning the business of sports entertainment. I think we took some positive baby steps in the first two years, but this year I feel like I’m actually running.”
The Freeze commence training camp on Monday, January 22, at the Family First Sports Park and while Erie Freeze fans will see a smattering of familiar faces, what they will notice right off the bat is a distinct change in the demeanor and dedication of the team.
Coach Arnold says, “We’ve always had a talented, athletic team on the field. There was never any question about that aspect. What we’re looking for this season is not only talent, but character. We’ve assembled a training camp roster that wants to play in Erie, be in Erie, and fight for Erie, as well as roster spots. I don’t think that anyone is walking around here with a sense of entitlement. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE will be working to make this team.”
“We had two of our most successful open tryouts this past off season,” added Arnold. “We choose eight guys and invited them to camp. Guys from all parts of the country were knocking down our door and wanting to be part of this team. Do you know what that tells the guys? That says, ‘If I don’t do my part. Somebody else will.’ I don’t think anyone wants to be the weak link.”
To avoid any roster weaknesses, the Freeze have added depth in many positions. While the Freeze started the first half of the season with only one loss in 2006, once some injuries started to fell the regulars, the Freeze struggled in the win column.
Fans will notice that veterans like Same Reynolds, Chris Blackshear, David Smith, Roosevelt Benjamin, Shea D’Ambrosio, Jon Sitter, Many Johnson, and Dujaun Smith will join the multi-faceted Darmel Whitfield in leading the Freeze on a championship run.
Coach Arnold said, “Darmel is a team leader. He is probably the most dynamic and overlooked player in the entire league. He does everything we ask and more. He can play quarterback, receiver, defensive back, kick returner, kicker, whatever. If the owner needs him to sell popcorn during a game, he can probably do that too. What we’ve done this year with our roster is to bring in some depth that will allow us to utilize our players, situationally, in the best way possible.”
Perhaps the most intriguing competition in training camp will be at the quarterbacking position. While it may seem that Darmel is a lock for that position, the Freeze can augment his talents by the addition of Edwin Nelson and former University of Buffalo and New York State record holder Randall Secky to the Freeze roster.
Secky and former Freeze wideout Josh Liddell formed the most formidable school boy passing combination in New York State history, capturing a New York State football title for Maple Grove, during the late 1990’s. Secky’s size and strength along with his ability to grasp true offensive schemes will be an asset.
Coach Arnold said, “I think fans will see a more focused offense than in the past. We won’t have to draw things in the dirt and hope it works out. I think opposing defenses will have a tough time with us.”
Brendon McNicolas returns with some competition in the kicking position and with training camp additions, the Freeze look to heat up in 2007 as a smarter, better football team.
“We’ve lost some of the ‘characters’ on the team and replaced them with ‘character’ guys. There’ll be no more unsportsman like penalties and dumb play in Erie in 2007. If there is, we’ll get someone else. Being a member of the Erie Freeze will mean something on and OFF the field. We need this city to be proud of us all around,” concluded Hodas.
The New Freeze get a huge test when they take on the defending champion Canton Legends in the season opener on February 9 in Canton. The Freeze open its home slate on Saturday, February, 17 against the Danville Demolition.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 23 January 2007 )
from the home page:
January 23, 2007 - Erie, PA) After an unusually warm start to the winter season, the temperatures around the Erie area plummeted over the weekend. As has been the case for the two previous seasons, when the weather turns a bit colder it can only mean one thing: the Erie Freeze indoor football team has commenced training camp.
The familiar cold weather might be one of the few recognizable remnants of a Freeze organization that has been one of the more successful franchises in any Indoor Football League. The 2007 campaign brings to the forefront a more stable coaching staff, ownership commitment, sponsor base, and most importantly a loyal roster that will battle for starting positions in camp.
The first change that fans will notice is a switch in league names. Gone is the American Indoor Football League and its often enigmatic owner Andrew Haines, in its place is the more structured and highly organized American Indoor Football Association. The AIFA’s managerial group is own of the most proactive and innovative in modern small market sports franchising and the Freeze has already asserted itself as a model franchise.
Secondly, there is finally solidity at the coaching position. Returning in his third year of affiliation with the Freeze is head coach Dave Arnold. Arnold has been with the Freeze since its first season and took over the head coaching reigns for Jerry Crafts halfway through last season. 2007 marks the first time that Arnold will put his own stamp on the team from day one.
Arnold said, “I’m truly excited about our prospects this year. We’re going to take the best of what worked before, eliminate some of the negatives that plagued us last year, and focus firmly on the goals that will make us successful this year.”
A successful year is also in the sights for Freeze owner Dave Hodas. “This year is probably the most relaxed I’ve been since we’ve started the club. Oh, there’s always some nervous anticipation about starting the season and the product on the field, but this year is the first time we have been 100% focused on the same vision.”
“It’s taken some time, but I think fans will see our dedication and that Erie Freeze football is REAL football for this town. The relationship between this team and this city is like a family. Is every day perfect? No. Will there be concerns along the way? Sure. But at the end of the day we still stick together and work things out,” added Hodas.
“One of the things that we want to focus on is making the games more accessible to families in general. We’re going to change the atmosphere in the “Igloo” and bring a spark to the crowd. Really, how many places can you take a family of four out for an exciting night on the town and only spend $ 20?” questioned Hodas.
Hodas may be the Freeze’s biggest fan, but his growth as an owner of a professional sports franchise has been a trial by fire. Hodas beamed, “Listen, I’m the biggest football fan around, but it’s been a process learning the business of sports entertainment. I think we took some positive baby steps in the first two years, but this year I feel like I’m actually running.”
The Freeze commence training camp on Monday, January 22, at the Family First Sports Park and while Erie Freeze fans will see a smattering of familiar faces, what they will notice right off the bat is a distinct change in the demeanor and dedication of the team.
Coach Arnold says, “We’ve always had a talented, athletic team on the field. There was never any question about that aspect. What we’re looking for this season is not only talent, but character. We’ve assembled a training camp roster that wants to play in Erie, be in Erie, and fight for Erie, as well as roster spots. I don’t think that anyone is walking around here with a sense of entitlement. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE will be working to make this team.”
“We had two of our most successful open tryouts this past off season,” added Arnold. “We choose eight guys and invited them to camp. Guys from all parts of the country were knocking down our door and wanting to be part of this team. Do you know what that tells the guys? That says, ‘If I don’t do my part. Somebody else will.’ I don’t think anyone wants to be the weak link.”
To avoid any roster weaknesses, the Freeze have added depth in many positions. While the Freeze started the first half of the season with only one loss in 2006, once some injuries started to fell the regulars, the Freeze struggled in the win column.
Fans will notice that veterans like Same Reynolds, Chris Blackshear, David Smith, Roosevelt Benjamin, Shea D’Ambrosio, Jon Sitter, Many Johnson, and Dujaun Smith will join the multi-faceted Darmel Whitfield in leading the Freeze on a championship run.
Coach Arnold said, “Darmel is a team leader. He is probably the most dynamic and overlooked player in the entire league. He does everything we ask and more. He can play quarterback, receiver, defensive back, kick returner, kicker, whatever. If the owner needs him to sell popcorn during a game, he can probably do that too. What we’ve done this year with our roster is to bring in some depth that will allow us to utilize our players, situationally, in the best way possible.”
Perhaps the most intriguing competition in training camp will be at the quarterbacking position. While it may seem that Darmel is a lock for that position, the Freeze can augment his talents by the addition of Edwin Nelson and former University of Buffalo and New York State record holder Randall Secky to the Freeze roster.
Secky and former Freeze wideout Josh Liddell formed the most formidable school boy passing combination in New York State history, capturing a New York State football title for Maple Grove, during the late 1990’s. Secky’s size and strength along with his ability to grasp true offensive schemes will be an asset.
Coach Arnold said, “I think fans will see a more focused offense than in the past. We won’t have to draw things in the dirt and hope it works out. I think opposing defenses will have a tough time with us.”
Brendon McNicolas returns with some competition in the kicking position and with training camp additions, the Freeze look to heat up in 2007 as a smarter, better football team.
“We’ve lost some of the ‘characters’ on the team and replaced them with ‘character’ guys. There’ll be no more unsportsman like penalties and dumb play in Erie in 2007. If there is, we’ll get someone else. Being a member of the Erie Freeze will mean something on and OFF the field. We need this city to be proud of us all around,” concluded Hodas.
The New Freeze get a huge test when they take on the defending champion Canton Legends in the season opener on February 9 in Canton. The Freeze open its home slate on Saturday, February, 17 against the Danville Demolition.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 23 January 2007 )
