Post by Gene on Feb 21, 2008 14:29:00 GMT -5
Outlawz Suspend Seven
by Courtney Cassel, Staff writer
2/21/2008 Hellertown, PA... The Outlawz announced today that seven players and coaches have been placed on indefinite suspensions.
The actions leading to the team making this announcement include various team rules violations; including: Breach of Contract, Breach of Training Camp Policies, Failure to Report a Police Incident, Failure to Report an Injury and Tampering with Players' Contracts. The culmination of these events occurred at the 422 Sports Complex last Thursday when practice ended abruptly following false information being distributed.
Rumors quickly surfaced that the team was folding, had no insurance, would not honor player contracts and more. None of which were ever true.
The suspended coaches include Greg Justice and Steve Gaunt, who has since resigned upon word of his impending firing. Suspended players still under contract to the Outlawz include Steve Cook, EJ Nemeth, Joe Macaluso, Chad Clark and Nick Romeo. Each of these players are currently in violation of their CIFL contract. Chris Cattanea is awaiting Police charges stemming from an incident at The Ramada Inn on Feb 1.
This is the incident which was never reported to team management. None of these players or coaches are expected back. However, they will not being given an official release from their contract until all obligations are satisfied with the Outlawz.
Add in a power failure at the Outlawz regular practice facility at Iron Lakes; caused by an ice storm that has forced closures for one week, and the result is a loss of valuable training camp hours. "It has been a difficult and trying week for the Outlawz with all these disruptions and missed practices", said owner and interim Head Coach, Jim DePaul. He went on to say "I have stepped in to provide stability to the team, dispel any rumors and get us back on track. But, come March 8, I have no intentions of being a coach."
If a team needed direction, who better to step in than the second winningest Head Coach in CIFL history. A Coach who has made the playoffs in every season with the Outlawz and every season of head coaching anywhere since 1995. Entering 2008, DePaul had plans to step off the sidelines (or walls in this case). He turned the team over to a first year coach who seemed to concentrate more on battling with the owner and set out to demand loyalty to himself and divide the team. "We are a team, a family and must take the us against the world mentality. All facets of this team must gel (players, dancers, marketing, coaches and management) if we are to continue our success on the field.", he continued, "Cancer set in, cancer was cut out. Period. March 8 is coming quick and we need to come together as a team."
On a positive note, the Outlawz did as Outlawz do. They regrouped, brought in better talent and coaching; including Mike DePaul, a seasoned veteran of the indoor game. Ron Kerr, OL coach who is also the owner of the winningest semi-pro team in history, the Central Penn Piranha, out of Harrisburg, PA. They also retained the rest of the previous staff, most notably Tom Laubach, Offensive Coordinator and Ian Hutchinson WR/DB Strength and Conditioning Coach. They went on and had what many considered the best practice of the season on Tuesday night atthe BuxMont Sports Complex. Practice continues tonight at Iron Lakes at 8:30pm with a special visit from the TV2Sports filming crew.
Controversy in coaching is certainly nothing new with Minor league sports, especially indoor football. "In forming a professional team in 2004, I tried to balance the mix of family-friendly, wholesome entertainment with a quality football team on the field. We began in 2006 without much indoor player experience and tried to mold players from small and local colleges with semi-pro veterans. We welcomed some former player and coaches from local semi-pro teams; only to discover that is exactly what they were...amateur," said DePaul, "those coaches are no longer with us." Oh, but there is more. DePaul revealed these items discovered during the course of an ongoing investigation into tampering. In fact, much of the rumors which have surfaced recently were either instigated, added to or fueled by a former coach Trev Marcks, and his wife.
Former Outlawz players and coaches Marcks, Lloyd Brooks and Al Forsythe also breached Outlawz contracts and CIFL rules when signing for 2008 with the NJ Revolution; while still under contract with the Outlawz. The Revolution visit the Stabler on March 22 and have never beaten the Outlawz in four previous attempts. Making it much more interesting is the fact that these individuals are pending CIFL rules violations and are barred from Outlawz events at the Stabler Arena until their contract breaches are settled. Coaches Marcks, Drayton, Forsythe left the Outlawz, breaching their contracts with the Outlawz. At that time, the Outlawz were struggling at 4-5. The team rallied and finished the season with a three game winning streak ending up 7-5 and making the playoffs. In August 2007, these players and coaches were identified as having violated team and CIFL rules and a complaint was filed with CIFL league office in Canton, OH.
"I have invested a large sum on money and built an organization here in the Valley to give these young men a chance to live their dreams and further their careers. This is a business and each contract is in place to protect the professionalism and integrity of the player, the Outlawz and the CIFL.
It is unfortunate that things did not work out with these individuals. I just ask that they act professionally, do the right thing by honoring the terms of their contracts. If they act responsibly, then I wish all of them nothing but the best," continued DePaul.
The vast majority of semi-pro teams are troubled, but there are notable exceptions like the Claymont Buccs, Central Penn Piranhas, Kane County Eagles; all teams which run solid programs. The Outlawz plan is create a separation from semi-pro (also called amateur sports) and pro teams like the Outlawz. In recent years, there have been instances like unpaid bills, fighting, etc.. which has created the stereotype of semi-pro to
become so negative. There are also reports of players getting injured and attempting to carry that injury to a pro team, which, unlike semi-pro, carries insurance for the players. While the Outlawz have and enforce a strict "no semi-pro" clause in all contracts, they do hold open a good relationship with those teams listed above which are the exception.
As for Justice, latest word is that he has decided to put his coaching debut on hold and play for the Baltimore Mariners, a AIFA team which replaces the defunct Baltimore Blackbirds who were only able to muster the funds to play a few games last season before folding. The AIFA has also been riddled with coaching turnstiles as the former team of Nemeth, Gaunt, Macaluso and Justice, the Reading Express have battled through owners changes, lawsuits and three Head Coaches in just three seasons. The decision of the Express to name Bernie Nowotarski as Head Coach seems to be paying off and the team heading in a good direction in 2008.
The Outlawz 2008 coaching Staff and roster will be announced next Wednesday night at the Annual Team banquet at the Cascade Lodge in Kitnersville.
Coverage will be provided by TV2Sports. This is open to the public. Reservations can be made by calling the Cascade Lodge. A press release will follow on Wednesday.
The Lehigh Valley Outlawz are a professional indoor football team playing at Lehigh University in Bethlehem on Saturday nights. The 2008 season kicks off March 8 at the Stabler Arena with a 2007 Playoff rematch with the New England Surge, featuring special guest Mike Quick (Philadelphia Eagles) and WYSP broadcaster. The team plays in the Continental Indoor Football League, which offers a unique brand of 7 on 7 football. For more information, visit www.610football.com
by Courtney Cassel, Staff writer
2/21/2008 Hellertown, PA... The Outlawz announced today that seven players and coaches have been placed on indefinite suspensions.
The actions leading to the team making this announcement include various team rules violations; including: Breach of Contract, Breach of Training Camp Policies, Failure to Report a Police Incident, Failure to Report an Injury and Tampering with Players' Contracts. The culmination of these events occurred at the 422 Sports Complex last Thursday when practice ended abruptly following false information being distributed.
Rumors quickly surfaced that the team was folding, had no insurance, would not honor player contracts and more. None of which were ever true.
The suspended coaches include Greg Justice and Steve Gaunt, who has since resigned upon word of his impending firing. Suspended players still under contract to the Outlawz include Steve Cook, EJ Nemeth, Joe Macaluso, Chad Clark and Nick Romeo. Each of these players are currently in violation of their CIFL contract. Chris Cattanea is awaiting Police charges stemming from an incident at The Ramada Inn on Feb 1.
This is the incident which was never reported to team management. None of these players or coaches are expected back. However, they will not being given an official release from their contract until all obligations are satisfied with the Outlawz.
Add in a power failure at the Outlawz regular practice facility at Iron Lakes; caused by an ice storm that has forced closures for one week, and the result is a loss of valuable training camp hours. "It has been a difficult and trying week for the Outlawz with all these disruptions and missed practices", said owner and interim Head Coach, Jim DePaul. He went on to say "I have stepped in to provide stability to the team, dispel any rumors and get us back on track. But, come March 8, I have no intentions of being a coach."
If a team needed direction, who better to step in than the second winningest Head Coach in CIFL history. A Coach who has made the playoffs in every season with the Outlawz and every season of head coaching anywhere since 1995. Entering 2008, DePaul had plans to step off the sidelines (or walls in this case). He turned the team over to a first year coach who seemed to concentrate more on battling with the owner and set out to demand loyalty to himself and divide the team. "We are a team, a family and must take the us against the world mentality. All facets of this team must gel (players, dancers, marketing, coaches and management) if we are to continue our success on the field.", he continued, "Cancer set in, cancer was cut out. Period. March 8 is coming quick and we need to come together as a team."
On a positive note, the Outlawz did as Outlawz do. They regrouped, brought in better talent and coaching; including Mike DePaul, a seasoned veteran of the indoor game. Ron Kerr, OL coach who is also the owner of the winningest semi-pro team in history, the Central Penn Piranha, out of Harrisburg, PA. They also retained the rest of the previous staff, most notably Tom Laubach, Offensive Coordinator and Ian Hutchinson WR/DB Strength and Conditioning Coach. They went on and had what many considered the best practice of the season on Tuesday night atthe BuxMont Sports Complex. Practice continues tonight at Iron Lakes at 8:30pm with a special visit from the TV2Sports filming crew.
Controversy in coaching is certainly nothing new with Minor league sports, especially indoor football. "In forming a professional team in 2004, I tried to balance the mix of family-friendly, wholesome entertainment with a quality football team on the field. We began in 2006 without much indoor player experience and tried to mold players from small and local colleges with semi-pro veterans. We welcomed some former player and coaches from local semi-pro teams; only to discover that is exactly what they were...amateur," said DePaul, "those coaches are no longer with us." Oh, but there is more. DePaul revealed these items discovered during the course of an ongoing investigation into tampering. In fact, much of the rumors which have surfaced recently were either instigated, added to or fueled by a former coach Trev Marcks, and his wife.
Former Outlawz players and coaches Marcks, Lloyd Brooks and Al Forsythe also breached Outlawz contracts and CIFL rules when signing for 2008 with the NJ Revolution; while still under contract with the Outlawz. The Revolution visit the Stabler on March 22 and have never beaten the Outlawz in four previous attempts. Making it much more interesting is the fact that these individuals are pending CIFL rules violations and are barred from Outlawz events at the Stabler Arena until their contract breaches are settled. Coaches Marcks, Drayton, Forsythe left the Outlawz, breaching their contracts with the Outlawz. At that time, the Outlawz were struggling at 4-5. The team rallied and finished the season with a three game winning streak ending up 7-5 and making the playoffs. In August 2007, these players and coaches were identified as having violated team and CIFL rules and a complaint was filed with CIFL league office in Canton, OH.
"I have invested a large sum on money and built an organization here in the Valley to give these young men a chance to live their dreams and further their careers. This is a business and each contract is in place to protect the professionalism and integrity of the player, the Outlawz and the CIFL.
It is unfortunate that things did not work out with these individuals. I just ask that they act professionally, do the right thing by honoring the terms of their contracts. If they act responsibly, then I wish all of them nothing but the best," continued DePaul.
The vast majority of semi-pro teams are troubled, but there are notable exceptions like the Claymont Buccs, Central Penn Piranhas, Kane County Eagles; all teams which run solid programs. The Outlawz plan is create a separation from semi-pro (also called amateur sports) and pro teams like the Outlawz. In recent years, there have been instances like unpaid bills, fighting, etc.. which has created the stereotype of semi-pro to
become so negative. There are also reports of players getting injured and attempting to carry that injury to a pro team, which, unlike semi-pro, carries insurance for the players. While the Outlawz have and enforce a strict "no semi-pro" clause in all contracts, they do hold open a good relationship with those teams listed above which are the exception.
As for Justice, latest word is that he has decided to put his coaching debut on hold and play for the Baltimore Mariners, a AIFA team which replaces the defunct Baltimore Blackbirds who were only able to muster the funds to play a few games last season before folding. The AIFA has also been riddled with coaching turnstiles as the former team of Nemeth, Gaunt, Macaluso and Justice, the Reading Express have battled through owners changes, lawsuits and three Head Coaches in just three seasons. The decision of the Express to name Bernie Nowotarski as Head Coach seems to be paying off and the team heading in a good direction in 2008.
The Outlawz 2008 coaching Staff and roster will be announced next Wednesday night at the Annual Team banquet at the Cascade Lodge in Kitnersville.
Coverage will be provided by TV2Sports. This is open to the public. Reservations can be made by calling the Cascade Lodge. A press release will follow on Wednesday.
The Lehigh Valley Outlawz are a professional indoor football team playing at Lehigh University in Bethlehem on Saturday nights. The 2008 season kicks off March 8 at the Stabler Arena with a 2007 Playoff rematch with the New England Surge, featuring special guest Mike Quick (Philadelphia Eagles) and WYSP broadcaster. The team plays in the Continental Indoor Football League, which offers a unique brand of 7 on 7 football. For more information, visit www.610football.com
