Western PA Warhawks

[Coach Cleary]

To All Players:

My name is Brian Cleary the Offensive Coordinator for the Western PA Warhawks ( www.wpawarhawks.com/ ) and I would like to speak to you about providing the opportunity for you to continue playing after your season is over.
My college teammate (Nate List) and I have now started our second season coaching in the Semi-Pro ranks. We are the offensive and defensive coordinators for the Western Pa Warhawks. The Warhawks are a 2nd year team.

This is semi-pro which means they do not get paid but will in fact inc urr some expenses to play. All teams are managed differently but I can assure you that this team is run as fair and ethically as any team can be run. All players are charged the same registration and uniform fee's there are no special exceptions. The fee's are returned to the players in the form of field dues, we play at Senca Valley, one of the nicest facilities in Western Pennsylvania. They also help cover transportation costs to away games that are over 2hrs away and many other administrative cost required to run a football program. This team was not created to make money but to give opportunities to players who want to play more, refine skills, make it to the next level or just see whats left in the tank. Coach List and I both have different connections all the way through to the NFL from our former college coaches to our former teammates. The president of our league is also a scout for the AFL. So are promise to players is that if you come put the time and effort in, and have the talent we will put you in front of someone who can take you to the next level.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me - [e-mail]

Thanks and I look forward to hearing from some of you,

Coach Cleary

[Gene]

I surely admire your ambition here to try to get players to play in your league but in all honesty with guys in the AIFA geting paid to play it wouldnt make sense for them to play for a team where they might in fact, as you say, incur expenses. I am sure when the AIFA season is over these guys will either get offers to move up to the AFL or go back to their hometowns and work till next season.

[UnoBomber]

Not to mention heal up from a tough long season.

[Un-Frozen Rich]

One of the players listed on the Warhawks roster played for Steubenville Stampede (although that could have been when they were only paying their players $50 a game).

I know it smacks of forethought, but I think it would be a good idea for AIFA teams to scout some of these teams, and let their players know about the AIFA (Let's face it. MANY probably do not). It could give the teams more options come combine time.

[Standard Deviation]

freezinrich said:

One of the players listed on the Warhawks roster played for Steubenville Stampede (although that could have been when they were only paying their players $50 a game).

I know it smacks of forethought, but I think it would be a good idea for AIFA teams to scout some of these teams, and let their players know about the AIFA (Let's face it. MANY probably do not). It could give the teams more options come combine time.

Two weeks ago we picked up 2 players from Steubanville. Center Pete Geis and OL/DL Scott Dolfi. Both have played significant roles in our back to back wins over Erie. Another reason why I vote Shawn Liotta for Coach of the year. He continues to improve the team each and every week.

[Coach Cleary]

My goal is to help players continue to gain experience so next year individuals can take their game to the AFL, CFL or NFL Europe. I know it would take a player to swallow some pride to go from getting paid to play to paying to play but sometimes everyone needs to make tough decisions.
I've actually been emailing Coach Liotta about setting up some sort of relationship between our 2 programs. We would obviously suggest to any of our players to attend the RiverRats try outs for next years team but I would also like to be a place where Coach Liotta can use our team as a suggestion for players still need more development.

[Gene]

coachcleary said:

My goal is to help players continue to gain experience so next year individuals can take their game to the AFL, CFL or NFL Europe. I know it would take a player to swallow some pride to go from getting paid to play to paying to play but sometimes everyone needs to make tough decisions.
I've actually been emailing Coach Liotta about setting up some sort of relationship between our 2 programs. We would obviously suggest to any of our players to attend the RiverRats try outs for next years team but I would also like to be a place where Coach Liotta can use our team as a suggestion for players still need more development.

Dont get me wrong, i agree with what your intentions are. I just think it might be tough to do. As you mentioned though, it may be possible if a coach from the team the player tried out on suggested he play for your team to develope, then maybe its a good idea. But with these guys being under contract with these paying teams, i wonder if they are allowed to do stuff like this in the off season. All depends if those contracts are valid year round or only during the season? Anyone know how the contract structure is set up?

As far as the players who arent under contract, then yes. Great idea.