RING OF CHAMPIONS SHOWCASE PARTNER TO HOST SIFL COMBINES

ORLANDO, FLORIDA (December 28, 2010) The Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) announced today that the Ring of Champions Showcase (ROCS) has become their official partner for hosting league wide player combines. ROCS is comprised of former and current professional football coaches, managers and scouts from across the U.S. and Canada. With hundreds of collective years experience in pro football, ROCS produces player combines in order to collect and deliver player personnel testing and data to the league.

SIFL Commissioner stated “This is a great opportunity for us to have ROCS on board as our official partner. There are no better football people in the scouting business and I am honored to be working with them again. I feel one hundred percent confident that we will receive the best available players through ROCS efforts”.

ROCS is headed by CEO Bruce Cowdrey a long time arena football coach winning more championship rings than most. He has championship rings from four different professional leagues and his staff have earned over forty rings and garnered more professional players than any other organization. He and the ROCS staff will be personally testing and reporting on the players and their league potential. “It is great to be part of the SIFL and what they are trying to achieve with players. As long as I have been a recruiter I think this represents the best opportunities yet for players to get a chance to play in the pros” said Cowdrey.

The SIFL/Ring of Champions Showcase kicks off their regional workouts January 15 in San Antonio, TX and continues through June at various locations across the country. For a complete listing of player combines log onto www.southernifl.com www.fanteractive.com or www.canamrocs.com .

HOUSTON'S SIFL TEAM CHOOSES NAME AND LOGO

LAKE CHARLES LOUISIANA (October 7, 2010) The Houston Professional Indoor Football Team of the Southern Indoor Football League introduced their team name, logo, and colors in a press conference held at the Coach’s Sports Bar and Grill. In attendance were more than sixty excited participants including media, sponsors, fans, coaches, players, and Don Elder, Jr. the Mayor of Katy.

The team name was chosen from the top five submissions from local fans. “As an organization we have some tremendous ideas for the upcoming season, but we really wanted to reach out to the fans and ask them to submit names befitting our market”, said Steve Hooks, co-owner of the Stallions.

Coach Dockery played an important role in the design of the logo reviewing sketches, color options, and even sew outs. “The final design came from Blackat Productions. It incorporated everything we were looking for including motion and strength”, said Coach “Doc”.

The Houston Stallions chose red, white, and black for passion, strength, and simplicity.

Open tryouts have been set for Saturday October 9th at Cross Point Community Church Athletic Field. Interested players should contact Coach Dockery at 832-671-3603.

For information regarding the Southern Indoor Football League, visit www.southernifl.com.

SIFL Names Offensive, Defensive, and Special Teams Players of the Week

By Matthew Hester
Southern Indoor Football League
Media Relations Director

LAKE CHARLES, LA (June 2, 2010) Louisiana Swashbucklers fullback Kendrick Perry, Albany Panthers defensive lineman James Harris and Louisiana Swashbucklers kicker Blake Bercegeay have been named the Offensive, Defensive, and Special Teams Players of the Week respectively by the Southern Indoor Football League.

In their 51-31 defeat over the Columbus Lions this past Saturday, Kendrick Perry (6’2 245, Southeastern) earned the Offensive Player of the Week by leading the Bucs to a rushing attack that rolled out a SIFL team record 146 yards. Perry rushed the ball 16 times for 108 yards and one touchdown guiding Louisiana back to .500 for the second time this season.

Garnering the Defensive Player of the Week is Albany Panthers defensive lineman James Harris (6’1 250, Albany State). In the Panthers defensive shutdown of the Force, Harris collected two fumble recoveries returning both for touchdowns. Harris two recoveries were of a nine turnover evening by Albany in their 71-6 domination over Greenville this past Saturday.

Taking home is first Special Teams Player of the Week nod is Louisiana Swashbucklers kicker Blake Bercegeay (6’1 185, McNeese State). Blake’s 15 point evening helped keep the Bucs in front of the Lions for majority of Saturday nights contest. Going a perfect 6 for 6 on PAT’s, 2 for 3 on field goal attempts and notching three uno’s guided Louisiana’s much needed 51-31 win over Columbus.

Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Columbus WR Tirone Morris (16 rec. 121 yards – SIFL record), Albany QB Cecil Lester (15/23, 216 yards, and 6 TD’s)

Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Louisiana DB Koty Knox (8 tackles), Columbus LB Justen Rivers (7 tackles).

Special Teams Player of the Week candidates included: Columbus K Trey Crum (3/4 PAT’s, 1/3 FG’s, 1 Uno).

Swashbucklers Down Columbus 51-31 In SIFL Football Action.

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (May 29, 2010) In a must win game to keep a chance of a home field advantage for the first round of the playoffs, the Louisiana Swashbucklers manhandled the Columbus Lions 51-31 in Southern Indoor Football League action at the Lake Charles Civic Center.

Swashbucklers quarterback Freddie Harrison went 10 for 23 and two touchdowns in the air, while Kendrick Perry had 16 carries for 108 yards and one touchdown.

The Swashbucklers and the Lions were pretty much even in terms of offense statistics. Louisiana had 274 total yards (146 rushing and 128 passing) while Columbus had 252 total yards (7 rushing and 245 passing).

The time of possession was also fairly equal; with Columbus controlling the ball 30 minutes 58 seconds and Louisiana having possession 29 minutes 2 seconds.

What made the difference in the scoring was 3rd down conversions. Louisiana managed to convert six of eight on 3rd down, while the Lions could only manage to convert two of their six attempts.

The Swashbucklers’ used a balanced offensive attack, with five players getting on the scoreboard.

Wide receiver Sammy Knight caught six passes for 97 yards and one touchdown, while fellow receiver Damian Henderson caught one pass for 13 yards, which lead to another touchdown.

Philip O’Neal also added to the scoring frenzy, rushing for 10 yards on two carries and one touchdown.

Kicker Blake Bercegeay booted two field goals for 25 yards and 31 yards, along with six extra points and two “uno” scores on kickoffs.

Columbus quarterback Chris McCoy completed 27 passes on 44 attempts, threw one interception, and scored two passing touchdowns; the longest of 29 yards. He was sacked three times.

The Swashbucklers will next face off against their I-10 rivals, the Lafayette Wildcatters (3-4) on Saturday, while the Lions will play the league leading Albany Panthers (6-1) at home.

SIFL: Louisiana Swashbucklers Lose League Opener to Columbus Lions

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

COLUMBUS, GEORGIA (March 27, 2010) In their first game against a SIFL team and hampered by seven turnovers and the absence of two key players, the Louisiana Swashbucklers dropped a hard fought contest 88-32 to the Columbus Lions.

The Swashbucklers, who were coming off a 88-6 trashing of the North Texas Crunch, could not repeat their offensive power of the previous week, were held scoreless in the second half.

The Lions defense held Swashbuckler quarterback Alvin Bartie to only 10 of 26 passing for 253 yards. Bartie was also sacked four times as well as throwing six interceptions.

The Swashbucklers, who trailed the entire game, closed the gap to 13 points at the half.

The absence of kicker Tommy Hebert and offensive lineman Lance Freeman hampered the Swashbuckler offense. Herbert accounted for all Louisiana’s PAT in last weeks match and Freeman provided key protection for Bartie during his passing attacks.

Both players were unavailable for the game due to prior obligations.

Shaun Samuels replaced Bartie early in the fourth quarter, throwing 3 of 7 for 53 yards while being sacked four times.

The Swashbucklers had 311 yards of total offense, with Marcos Wildridge catching seven passes for 137 yards while Sammy Knight made five catches for 140 yards.

The Lions were led quarterback Todd Switzer, who threw 17 of 31 for 224 yards and six touchdowns with one interception and Gerald Gales’ three receiving touchdowns.

The Swashbucklers are now 1-1 on the season and the Lions are 1-0.

Louisiana will get back in action on April 9 as they travel to take on the Greenville Force with Columbus will travel to Albany next Saturday April 4 to tackle the Panthers.

SIFL: The Louisiana Swashbucklers Crush the North Texas Crunch 88-6

(Swashbuckler quarterback Alvin Bartie threw for eight touchdowns and 268 yards against the North Texas Crunch. Photo by Darla S. Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2010, All Right Reserved)

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (March 20, 2010) With a rousing rendition of the national anthem and the game ball delivered to the officials like the birth of a baby, the Louisiana Swashbucklers kicked off the 2010 SIFL season with a 88-6 trouncing of the North Texas Crunch at the Lake Charles Civic Center on Saturday night.

The Swashbucklers were schedule to play the Houston Lightning to begin the season but due to problems with the Lightning’s failure to secure a venue for games, they dropped out of the SIFL for the season.

The game between two different indoor league champions was not the battle of the titans that everyone expected. The Crunch is the defending IIFL champions and had beaten the East Texas Drillers 49-18 last week.

The Swashbucklers held the Crunch on their first offensive drive and took command of the ball from that point, scoring three times in the first quarter.

At the 9:08 mark, Louisiana scored on their first offensive play with a 38-yard pass from Alvin Bartie to Marcus Wilridge.

Lapeacus Celestine followed up two minutes later with a 1-yard run to make the score 14-0.

Courtney Brooks scored the third Swashbuckler touchdown in the first quarter when he snagged an interception to take the score to 21-0 after 15 minutes.

The second quarter saw the Swashbucklers score four more touchdowns without any response from the Crunch.

Bartie threw all four touchdown passes with the first going to Sammy Knight for a 50-yard score at the 12:46 mark.

Bartie then connected with Jermaine Martin with a 20-yard touchdown pass and came back on the next set of down with a 24-yard pass to Wilridge to add to the score.

He finished out the half with another scoring pass to Knight to take the score to 49-0.















(The Swashbuckler mascot was handing out doubloons to the loyal fans of the home team. Photo by Darla S. Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2010, All Right Reserved)

The Crunch finally got on the board in the third quarter with an 18-yard pass from Josh Booker to Jarred Perryman. The one-point conversion failed, to make the score 56-6.

Prior to the Crunch score, the Swashbucklers scored another touchdown when Bartie again found Martin in the end zone with a 5-yard pass.

The Swashbucklers then put Jermaine Davis in at quarterback and he promptly scored with an 11-yard pass to Davis. Bartie returned to the game after Davis hyper-extended his knee and handed the ball off to Celestine. He quickly ran in for the first rushing score of the game to close out the third quarter with a 68-6 score.

The fourth quarter saw Louisiana score three more times. At the 13:57 mark, Bartie again connected with Wilridge on a 48-yard pass.

The Crunch took control of the ball after that, but could not get their offense to put the points on the board.

The Swashbucklers came back to score twice in the final two minutes. With 1:21 left in the game Celestine run from the 8-yard line to score, followed by the two-point conversion.

Bartie closed out the game with 24-seconds left on a 17-yard pass to Knight.

The Swashbucklers had a total of 307 yards of offense, with 279 in the air. The Crunch could only manage 75 yards of total offense and a mere 18 minutes on offense.

Bartie went 10 for 24 and 268 yards in the air while Knight had 121 yards receiving.

Louisiana will return to the field on March 27 when they travel to Georgia to face the Columbus Lions with a 7:30pm start.

SIFL FOOTBALL ACTION KICKS OFF THIS WEEKEND

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (March 19, 2010) – The first weekend of Southern Indoor Football League action kicks off on Saturday evening with two defending champions going head-to-head as well as a possible showcase of the SIFL’s top three quarterbacks on Sunday.

Starting Saturday, The Swashbucklers will be attempting an unprecedented fourth championship run as the host the defending Independent Indoor Football Alliance champion North Texas Crunch. In the last three seasons the Bucs have amassed arguably one of indoor football greatest winning percentages (.950) including winning the Intense Bowl (2007), National Indoor Football Bowl (2008), and the inaugural SIFL Championship (2009).

North Texas rides into Lake Charles after the Houston Lightning and the SIFL decided the franchise would not participate in 2010. Last season, the Crunch played in three SIFL games going 0-3 and was outscored 182-21. The 2009 champions of the IIFA come into Saturday’s contest hot off a 49-18 victory over the East Texas Drillers this past Sunday.

Also kicking off this weekend will be the Lafayette Wildcatters traveling to take on the Greenville Force in a Sunday matinee. Lafayette will feature arguably the SIFL’s top two quarterbacks in both Omar Haughabook and Bo Bartik. Haughabook joins the Wildcatters after spending 2009 with the Houma Conquerors. Omar will unite with Bartik forming one of indoor footballs top quarterback tandems. In 2009, the two combined to amass 3,161 total offense yards along with 44 touchdowns giving Lafayette head coach John Fourcade with plenty of options behind center.

Greenville opens the weekend trying to resolve some issues after a 63-6 drubbing by the hands of the Columbus Lions in an exhibition contest back on March 8th. “When we faced off against the Lions our club got a rude awakening and learned we have a long road ahead of us,” says Greenville Force head coach Tony Wells.

When it came to talking about Lafayette, coach was adamant about how the key to a victory will be stopping the Wildcatters quarterback play. “Biggest thing we can do to earn a victory on Sunday is constrict them from the big plays,” continued Wells. “If we can force them to nickel and dime situations, I like our chances.”
On Sunday, the Force will feature one of the SIFL’s top quarterback-receiving tandems in Andrew Webb and Isaac West. Last season, the two managed to hook up for 17 touchdowns leading Greenville to the number four passing offense in the AIFA (216 yds/gm).

The SIFL season kicks off this Saturday with the Louisiana Swashbucklers taking on the North Texas Crunch of the IIFA at 7:00 pm. The Lafayette Wildcatters will travel and go head-to-head against the Greenville Force on Sunday March 21st at 3:00 pm. Be sure to stay tuned all this weekend’s action by logging on to www.southernifl.com.

Louisiana Swashbucklers To Open Season Against North Texas Crunch

By Robert H. Kelly

Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 17, 2010) The Louisiana Swashbucklers were scheduled to take on the Houston Lightning in the season opener for both teams this coming Saturday evening at the Lake Charles Civic Center at 7:00pm.

In a press release posted on their website, the Houston Lightening has announced they will not play during the 2010 season and are shutting down operations.

Our season is set to open March 20, 2010, against the Louisiana Swashbucklers After meeting with Tom Hager, President of the SIFL, on March 10, 2010 we have made the decision to not field the Houston Lightning this year. This decision is directly related to an agreement to play in a specific local arena which is now not being honored, by them. We have spent an enormous amount of time, effort, and money to replace our original arena. Understand that we have not sold a single ticket, nor taken any advertising dollars. This issue for our organization is not a financial decision, but one of fairness and integrity.

We do not make this decision lightly as it affects so many lives in and around our organization; fans, players, coaches, staff, sponsors, other team owners, and those employees of all the vendors in support of us. With such a short time to our first game we cannot in good consciousness attempt to field a team and meet the level of quality and experience we demand of ourselves, let alone our fans and sponsors. It would also be financially irresponsible to our organization at this point to attempt this.

The Houston Lightning would like to thank our staff and coaches for their support and hard work since our inception. We also want to take a moment to thank the SIFL for the opportunity to bring arena league football to Houston. We also want to acknowledge all the players who came to our tryouts and worked so hard to live their dream.

We wish the SIFL all the best, and still believe that Houston is a city that can support an arena league team successfully.

Calls to the Lightning’s offices were unanswered and no other information was given.

As a result, the Swashbucklers will face off against the North Texas Crunch on Saturday, March 20.

The Crunch are a member of the Independent Indoor Football Alliance (IIFA) and are the 2008 and 2009 Alliance Bowl champions.

The Swashbucklers are a member of the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) and are the 2009 SIFL champions.

The Heart of a Turfcat

AUSTIN, TEXAS (July 22, 2009) Austin Turfcats defensive lineman Ryan Childress never gives up. No matter how many times he's been told no, if he wants something, his determination will not waver. He proved that this season by going to every Turfcats practice and home game despite never making the 23-man roster.

On July 11, Ryan became the Turfcats' version of Rudy when he made his debut into the SIFL in the last game of the 2009 regular season. Childress helped the Turfcats close out their regular season with a 60-28 win over the Texas Hurricanes.

"I always wanted to play professional football," Childress said. "That was my dream and now I've had the opportunity to work hard and make it a reality. Being part of game felt great and I got to help the Turfcats earn a win on their way to the championship."

"His determination and loyalty motivate the rest of team," said Turfcats head coach Chris Duliban. "He makes everyone remember that you better come to practice ready to fight for your spot and produce during the game because there are guys working hard in the wings trying to take your position."

The Turfcats (10-2) and the Louisiana Swashbucklers (11-1) face off Monday in the inaugural SIFL President's Cup championship game. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. from the Smuggler's Den at the Lake Charles Civic Center in Lake Charles, La. Tickets will be available at the ticket booth on game day. For ticket prices visit the Swashbucklers website at www.labucs.com.

Seven Turfcats Named To The All-SIFL Team

AUSTIN, TEXAS (July 21, 2009) The Austin Turfcats had seven players chosen for the 2009 Southern Indoor Football League all-league team. Voting was conducted among the head coaches and front offices of the league's five charter teams along with SIFL staff and fan polling.

Fans were also allowed to vote for their player of the year at respective positions. Fans selected Austin's quarterback Deron Ellis and wide receiver Robert Quiroga as their players of the year, but neither garnered enough votes to make the all-league team.

Keith Clay tied for the all-team running back, center John Cardenas was selected as one of the four offensive line man, Kevin Earvine was selected as one of the four defensive lineman, Avery Cleveland tied for linebacker, JR Turner tied for defensive back, and Darrick Wallace was selected as the kick returner.

Clay finished the regular season third for rushing touchdowns with nine and kick return touchdowns with one, fourth for rushing yards with 183, and fifth for rushing yards per game with 22.9. He was also sixth for total offensive touchdowns with nine, seventh for scoring with 7.5 points per game and tenth for yards per rush with 3.1.

Earvine is ranked second for sacks with six, tackles for a loss with 14 and tackles among defensive ends and lineman with 28.5. Cleveland is tenth for tackles among linebackers with 16. Turner closed out the regular season ranked sixth for tackles among all positions with 33, sixth for interception returns with three, and seventh for forced fumbles with two.

Wallace topped the leader boards in six different categories: all purpose yards with 104.4 per game, touchdowns with 10.4 points per game, missed field goal return yards with 253, missed field goal return touchdowns with five and kick return touchdowns with two. He was also second for kick return yards with 401, seventh for receptions with 27, ninth for reception touchdowns with 6, and tenth for yards per catch with 10.4 and reception yards with 281.

The second seeded Turfcats (9-2) are set to take on the first seeded Louisiana Swashbucklers (11-2) Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the inaugural SIFL President's Cup championship game. With the Swashbucklers having home field advantage the game will be held at the Smuggler's Den at the Lake Charles Civic Center in Lake Charles, La. Tickets will be available at the ticket booth on game day. For ticket prices visit the Swashbucklers website at www.labucs.com.

Home Energy Solutions to Introduce Turfcats at Kite Day

AUSTIN, TEXAS (February 28, 2009) Friends and families are invited to Zilker Park to attend Kite Day Sunday where Home Energy Solutions and BMC West will introduce the public to Austin’s newest professional sports team: the Austin Turfcats of the Southern Indoor Football League.

More than 5,000 special inaugural postcards will be handed out by the Travis County Sherriff’s Department.

“We are very excited to be a part of bringing the Turfcats to Austin,” said Steve Rosenbaum of BMC West. “Kite Day is always a lot of fun, and we look forward to telling everybody about the Turfcats. Make sure to come by the Sherriff’s booth. We’ll have Turfcats postcards and other neat giveaways!”

Opening day for the Turfcats is April 18 versus the Acadiana Mudbugs. Affordable sponsorship opportunities are still available to local businesses and are a great way to associate your company with a professional sports team.

Great locations are still available for the 2009 season! Act now to reserve the best seats. Call a Season Sales Representative today at 866-969-8228 (TCAT) to reserve your seats today. The Austin Turfcats are committed to being a premier team in the Southern Indoor Football League and being involved in the community for which we serve.

For more information or get photos for media outlets or to get your 2009 Austin Turfcats season tickets, contact the Turfcats office at (866) 969-8228 (TCAT) or by electronic mail at roswalt@turfcats.com

Turfcats Tickets Going Fast

AUSTIN, TEXAS (February 25, 2009) Management at the Austin Turfcats ticket offices have announced that only 1,200 seats are still available in the (SIFL Package) middle section for home games this season.

“We knew we were the ‘fastest game on the turf,’ but now we have the fastest box office sales,” said Turfcat General Manager and Vice President Ronald Oswalt. “With the lower levels already sold out, we are encouraging fans to buy middle tickets before it is too late.”

Oswalt explained that there is really not a bad seat in the house, but the organization wants fans to know that tickets are going quickly due to the team’s affordable ticket prices. The Turfcats will begin their inaugural season on April 18 at the Travis County Exposition Center in Austin.

“The central location of Austin seems to be appealing to ticketholders in the surrounding communities as well,” Oswalt said. “This has inspired us to sponsor community nights recognizing the great communities surrounding the Austin area.”

The team already has planned a Lake Travis and San Marcos night with more special events being planned daily.

To find out when your community will be recognized and to purchase the remaining tickets, visit www.turfcats.com

Great locations are still available for the 2009 season! Act now to reserve the best seats. Call a Season Sales Representative today at 866-969-8228 (TCAT) to reserve your seats today. The Austin Turfcats are committed to being a premier team in the Southern Indoor Football League and being involved in the community for which we serve.

Turfcats Getting Talent For Inaugural Season

AUSTIN, TEXAS (February 24, 2009) Ronald Oswalt, general manager and vice-president of the Austin Turfcats, announced the signing of several players for the 2009 season in addition to the signing of first year player Clint Toon.

Toon, who played in six games for Texas State this past season, said the transition to indoor football seemed natural.

“I think it is more of my game,” he said. “My game is short, quick passes.”

The short and quick passes employed by Toon during his time at Texas State came in handy as he slammed a career best 117-yard game against Central Arkansas and led the offensive dominance over Stephen F. Austin State University in the team’s 52-29 victory.

Before joining Texas State, Toon played one season at Kilgore Junior College, which won the Southwest Junior College Football Conference. Before that, the Kilgore, Texas native played for his hometown high school football and baseball teams. The Kilgore Bulldogs finished with a 21-5 record during Toon’s two-year tenure on the football team.

The Turfcats also signed the following players to a contract to attend camp and compete for a spot in the inaugural team.

Darrick Wallace – 5’8 – 175 – Grambling State
Tim Cook – 6’4 – 285 – NA
David Banks – 5’10 – 225 – Langston University
Mycal Catchings – 6’2 – 198 – Tarleton State
Kelly Hancock – 6’2 – 220 – Tarleton State
Keith Clay – 5’9 – 210 – Nichols State
Joseph Turner, Jr. – 6’3 – 200 – Texas A&M Kingsville
Iran Hodge – 6’4 – 293 - Texas A&M Kingsville
Clint Toon – 6’0 – 195 – Texas State
Franswan Mackey – 6’2 – 215 - Texas A&M Kingsville
Ray Hall – 5’10 – 215 – Ferris State
Corry Perez – 5’6 – 165 – Blinn College
Deron Ellis – 6-4 – 285 – Texas Southern
Rico Troup – 5’10 – 209 – NA
Kevin T. Earvine – NA
Reggie Smith – 5’7 – 160 – McMurry University
Mike Rose – 6’1 – 220 – NA

NOTABLE PLAYERS

Derrick Wallace – This speedy receiver and return man played for Doug Williams at Grambling State University. He has extensive indoor football experience and he has played on the af2 level.

Kelly Hancock – He plays on both sides of the ball with quarterback and linebacker experience. He is a former Austin Wrangler of the af2.

Keith Clay – This running back/wide receiver is a Nichols State product and played af2 with the Austin Wranglers. He also has played for the former Centex Barracudas of the Intense Football League.

Iran Hodge – He rejoined with the team’s Vice-President/General Manager as both were with former division champions with the Katy Copperheads.

The team expects to sign several more players in the next few weeks and is preparing for their mini-camp slated to start in mid-March.

“These players will set the tone for this team and leave their footprint on this franchise,” Oswalt said. “We have spent extensive time on this roster and we are only about halfway there, this next month will be a building process.”

Head Coach Chris Duliban, is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of competing in the Southern Indoor Football League and helping the Austin Turfcats achieve their goal of having a championship season this year.

Duliban added, ”The team is coming together and there is no lack of talent here in Central Texas, the players are in good shape and are ready to get their gear and start hitting each other.”

SIFL ANNOUNCES CHARTER FRANCHISE

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (December 31, 2008) Coupling a first-class, family-oriented sports experience with a sound business plan that encourages financial success, the Southern Indoor Football League recently announced its charter roster of franchises at O'Charley's Restaurant in Lake Charles, La.

Louisiana Swashbucklers owner Thom Hager, who will also serve as SIFL President, released that thirteen ownership groups have submitted the proper paperwork and have agreed to the financial responsibilities.

``I’m wearing my sunglasses because the future is so bright,’’ Hager said. "I’m not going to blow this out of proportion by saying today is the greatest day in the history of indoor football, but it is so satisfying to have assembled a group of solid businessmen who appreciate a solid business model and are committed to offering a quality football product both on the field and in the community.’’

The SIFL will kick off a 12-game schedule in April 2009 in the following cities:
1) Austin Texas. [Albert Martinez, owner]
2) Houma , Louisiana [Franklin Thomas, owner]
3) Houston , Texas [Andrew Watkins, owner]
4) Lafayette , Louisiana [Bentley Turner, owner]
5) Lake Charles , Louisiana . (Louisiana Swashbucklers, owned by Hager and playing in the Lake Charles Civic Center .
6) Pasadena , Texas [Gary Howard-led ownership group]

Commitments for 2010 have been secured for Beaumont , Tex. ; Galveston , Tex , Lakeland , Fla , Pensacola , Fla , ; Tallahassee, Fla., Tampa , Fla , and Waco , Tex. with four more ownership groups showing strong interest..

"We’re still receiving calls from around our region as if a light bulb tuned on and ownership groups finally found the perfect business model for this great sport," Hager said. ``The size of the league will be finalized at our league meetings in Lake Charles December 1-2 at the premier Pinnacle property, L’Auberge du Lac. "While we wish all competing leagues good fortune and success, I believe this bold new endeavor is the result of my thirteen years in sports management."

Hager’s Swashbucklers have been recognized as one of the sport’s premier teams, winning back-to-back Intense Football League championships, the latter in 2008 with a perfect 16-0 record. Off the field, the Swashbuckler staff garnered virtually every award given to league front office staffs.

Now it’s time to take that business model from team to league levels.

`I’ve seen too many fans lose their home teams due to poor business models and inexperienced management, Hager said. "A business is only as good as its people, coupled with proven systems and a strong product.

"What good is a business model that fails to generate positive cash flow and forces teams to close their doors after one or two seasons? This league is designed to satisfy the team owners, players, and the fans," Hager concluded.