Congratulations to former Erie RiverRats DB Jovon Johnson who was named the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ most outstanding special teams player as selected by voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada and the CFL head coaches.

Johnson finished the season having returned 86 kicks for 912 yards and two touchdowns. The Mercyhurst Prep graduate had a 10.6 yards-per-punt-return average while also returning six missed field goals for 186 yards. Johnson also finished with 63 tackles and two interceptions while playing cornerback for the Blue Bombers, who finished the season 4-14.

SIFL & AIFA ANNOUNCE MERGER
Merger to Change Indoor Football Landscape

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (November 9, 2010) – Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) commissioner Gary Tufford announced today (November 9,2010) that six teams from the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) have joined the SIFL as part of a merger between the two leagues.
After engaging in strategic discussions, the two leagues have taken a major step that presents an immediate impact on the national indoor football landscape and creates a league that will stretch from New Jersey to Texas.
“The creation of this alliance is most important to teams that want to play regionally under a business model that more appropriately fits their market,” Tufford said. “In order to accommodate such markets we had to build bridges. Regional play within a league structure makes perfect sense at this level. In a time when everyone is looking to be as trim as possible you have to look for partnerships that make sense. We are truly a regional league playing in divisions that define their territory yet play under a super regional umbrella footprint”.
The six teams – Fayetteville (N.C.) Guard, Richmond (Va.) Raiders, Harrisburg (Pa.) Stampede, Erie (Pa.), Trenton (NJ) Steel and Carolina (NC) Speed will play as part of the SIFL in various divisions. AIFA co-founder John Morris who also owns the Harrisburg team, split up the AIFA between East and West entities, and AIFA co-founder Michael Mink will be the sole owner of the new AIFA West that will operate independent of the merger.
“We are very excited to partner with the SIFL, together we will make each other stronger,” Morris said. “This merger will provide for great indoor football all along the east coast and through the southeast and Texas.”
Both Tufford and Morris are seasoned veterans in the business and bring a wealth of knowledge to the alliance. Tufford is a career long football executive and former pro player and coach who has over 30 years experience in pro football and oversees the SIFL from its Florida office. Morris is a successful business owner and entrepreneur. He will concentrate on his team’s operations and act as a special consultant to the league.
The SIFL was founded by Thom Hager in 2008 out of his desire to create an economic model that allows teams to compete on the field while ensuring long-term viability in the business community. With an economic model heralded as being the future in minor league football, the SIFL enters its
third season. The SIFL has grown from its original six teams to the current 16 teams. Hager is also the owner of the Lake Charles-based Louisiana Swashbucklers, one of indoor footballs most storied franchises.
The AIFA was formed in October, 2006 by Mink and Morris from a combination of teams from existing indoor leagues and expansion markets for the purpose of giving players a platform to excel and work to continue their football careers at a higher level.
“We were proud to see a number of our players fulfill their dreams of playing at the next level,” said Morris. “In its four seasons, the AIFA grew from a regional league to a national entity and also was at the forefront of national television exposure for its league members.”
“Now that we (SIFL) have extended our footprint into a “super regional” that includes the northeast it is imperative that we not only grow these new teams but also nurture our existing ones. We have a responsibility to the teams, fans and the sport itself to create great rivalries, quality entertainment and affordable budgets” said Tufford.
The SIFL will kick off the 2011 season in March with 16 teams in all. The member teams are: Erie, PA, Harrisburg PA, Trenton, NJ, Richmond, VA, Fayetteville, NC, Charlotte, NC, Columbus, GA, Albany, GA, Huntsville, AL, Mobile, AL, Lafayette, LA, Lake Charles, LA, Houston, TX, Corpus Christi, TX, Rio Grande Valley, TX, Abilene, TX.
For more information regarding the leagues log onto www.southernifl.com

It is my pleasure to be a guest on the Sports Blitz with Jim LeCorchick on Fox Sports Radio this week. Fans can tune in to Fox Sports Radio 1330 on Wednesday October 20th at 6:05pm to hear the interview and find out more information about our 2011 Roster and our upcoming local tryout at Edinboro University on Saturday October 23rd 2010. We are looking for local talent to compete for a training camp spot and help us bring a Championship to Erie in 2011.

Joe Blanks became the second member of the Erie Storm 2010 roster to accept a contract with an Arena Football League Franchise. Blanks (6’3, 315) a graduate of Erie Cathedral Prep and Winston Salem State signed with the Tulsa Talons. In his professional indoor rookie season with Erie, Blanks was part of a pass protection unit that gave up only 20 sacks in 525 pass attempts during the 2010 season. “I am very happy for Joe to get an opportunity to further his career with Tulsa in the Arena Football League. It is always a positive when our franchise can be a vehicle for players to advance their careers to the next level. We have had two players sign AFL deals in the last two weeks and I would not be surprised to see a few more of our players advance in the future,” commented Erie Head Coach Shawn Liotta.

Erie Professional Indoor Football announces first Open Tryout for the 2011 Season. The first open tryout will be held on Saturday October 23rd, 2010 from 11:30am-2:00pm. Erie Head Coach Shawn Liotta and his staff will be conducting the tryout and searching for local talent to add to the 2011 Training Camp Roster. Fresh off their successful 2010 playoff run Coach Liotta will be looking for local talent to make a run at the championship in 2011, and this is your opportunity for your talent to be discovered. The tryout will be held on the campus of Edinboro University in the Zafirovski Sports & Recreation Arena (219 Meadville Street, Edinboro, PA 16444.
Participants will be tested in the 40 Yard Dash, 10 Yard Dash, and Short Shuttle. Athletes will then be tested in specific positional and group drills. Participants will be expected to wear proper workout clothing and proper footwear (No Spikes or Turf Shoes). There will be no trainer on-hand for player taping, and players should bring plenty of water as none will be provided at the workout. All participants must be 18 years of age or older. This is a non-contact camp and no equipment will be required. All participants will be asked to sign a liability waiver prior to the tryout.
Players may contact Head Coach Shawn Liotta at sliotta@stormerie.com or at 1-866-786-7620 for more information on the tryout or to pre-register.
Players who wish to send bio or film for evaluation by Coach Liotta may do so by contacting him at sliotta@stormerie.com

Erie Professional Indoor Football Open Tryout
Date: Saturday October 23rd 2010
Time: 11:30am- 2:00pm
Registration Begins at 11:00am
Registration Fee: $50.00 – Cash or Money Order Only
Questions: Contact Coach Liotta – sliotta@stormerie.com

We are pleased to announce that former Erie Storm WR Denayne Dixon has been offered a contract with the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League for the 2011 season. Dixon a former tight-end at Edinboro University made the transition to WR with us in 2010 and transitioned into one of the most dominant WR’s in the league. He finished the season with 55 catches for 703 yards and 15 touchdowns in only 9 games. The Barnstormers finished (7-9) in their first season of returning to AFL play in 2010. We want to extend a big congratulations to Denayne and wish him all the best as he moves on to a tremendous opportunity to further his career.

I want to extend a big congratulations to former Erie QB/WR David Dinkins on being selected to the Morehead State Athletic Hall of Fame. Dinkins will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday October 15th, and will have his jersey retired prior to the MSU game vs. Davidson on Saturday October 16th. You can read more about the induction HERE

Dinkins is well known to Erie fans having played for the Erie Freeze from 2005-2006, and earning the 2005 AIFL MVP Award. “Dink” was the first player I signed to a contract for the RiverRats during the inaugural 2007 season and he finished the season as a 1st Team All-League performer at the QB position. Dinkins would go on to play for us at QB/WR with the Erie RiverRats, Wheeling Wildcats, and finally the Erie Storm in 2010. He was known for his electric on-field play and his outstanding personality. Dave was a tremendous player, and an even better person off of the field and in the locker room. “Dink” is moving on to another opportunity in 2011 that is closer to his home and employment and we wish him all the best – his ability and personality will be missed by all. Congratulations!