Training Camp Opens

SL — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:37:31 +0000

After a long and productive off-season, it was finally time to open training camp. It was a great day for Erie Explosion football as our coaches, players, and staff gathered at the Downtown Avalon Hotel for meetings and physicals. Our team will take the field for the first practice of training camp on Saturday March 5th 2011 at Edinboro University. We have an excellent group of talented dynamic athletes assembled who are looking forward to working hard to bring the SIFL Championship to Erie in 2011. The local Erie Media provided excellent coverage to the start of training camp as we were featured on JetTV, WICU, and the Erie Times News, among others. We now begin our journey over the next two weeks to shape our roster leading up to our game vs. the Harrisburg Stampede on March 20th.

Congratulations

SL — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 01:17:42 +0000

Mike Fox will be the Defensive Coordinator of the Abilene Rough-Riders in 2011

Wanted to extend congratulations to two members of our 2010 Erie Storm coaching staff on their recent accomplishments. Defensive Coordinator Mike Fox was recently named to a front office position and the defensive coordinator of the Abilene Rough Riders of the Southern Indoor Football League. Coach Fox will reunite with Head Coach Shon King, who he previously worked with as a member of the Quad City Steamwheelers coaching staff in the AF2. Mike Fox will be greatly missed and I wish him all the best in his latest coaching opportunity. I am very appreciative of all of the contributions that Coach Fox made to our team in Erie during the 2008 and 2010 season. He is a tremendous defensive football coach and was a major part of the success that we shared in Erie during those years. I wish my friend all the best this season, and hopefully our paths will cross on the field this year in the 2011 SIFL Championship Game.

Erie Assistant Coach Jeremy Liotta Led the Harmar Hurricanes to the 2011 PISA Developmental Indoor Championship

A second round of congratulations goes out to my brother Jeremy who led his team to a developmental indoor football league championship this weekend. Jeremy led the Harmar Hurricanes to a 36 – 28 double overtime win in the 2011 PISA Bowl I Championship over the Pittsburgh Rebels. I had the opportunity to view several of the developmental league games over the course of the season and I was very impressed with the level of talent on display each week at the Pittsburgh Indoor Sports Arena. Developmental leagues like this give players an excellent platform to stay in game shape and showcase their talents for indoor and arena franchises. We have a few young players under contract who competed for the Hurricanes and it was great experience for them to learn the indoor game and I was very happy to see the Hurricanes win the league title. Jeremy will be back with us as an assistant coach in 2011 when we open camp on March 4th.

The Road to Training Camp 2011

SL — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 21:58:31 +0000

Well Erie fans it is almost here….48 days until we open training camp. It is a very exciting time of the year as all of our signed players will come together for the first time to work towards the goals that we have set for the 2011 season. It will be a very competitive training camp as we have veteran players competing for roster spots along with the young talent that we have assembled on this year’s team. It will take a tremendous amount of hard work, focus, attention to detail, and some luck along the way for us to reach our ultimate goal of being 2011 SIFL Champions. I feel that the SIFL has some tremendous talent and outstanding coaching, and each week’s opponent will be a fierce challenge for every team in the league.
The north division is shaping up to be a very competitive one with the Harrisburg Stampede and Trenton Steel standing in our way of the division title and playoff spot. Each week will be a tremendous battle as both teams have experienced rosters and coaching staffs leading their respective clubs. We embrace that challenge and look forward to competing with all of the franchises in our league for the right to be called “Champions”.
I will attempt to take you “inside the walls” for an in-depth view of how we are building our team for the 2011 season opener March 20th when we visit the Harrisburg Stampede. It will be a hard-fought three straight weeks for us on the road before we get a chance to return home in-front of our home fans in Erie on Saturday April 9th when we host the Trenton Steel. We look forward to continuing our vision of putting an exciting, high flying, explosive, fan friendly product on the field each week during the season. Stay tuned for more information on player transactions, camp reports, and further insight into our preparation as we work towards the 2011 SIFL Championship.
SL

Erie Explosion Sign QB Adam DiMichele

SL — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 04:56:15 +0000

Quarterback Adam DiMichele

The Erie Explosion have announced the signing of quarterback Adam DiMichele to a contract for the 2011 season. DiMichele (6’2, 202) brings NFL, CFL, and Division I collegiate experience to the Explosion in 2011. As the starting quarterback for Temple, he passed for 5,024 yards and 40 touchdowns, good for 4th on the Owls all-time list. A team captain and Team MVP during the 2007 and 2008 seasons, DiMichele led the on-field resurgence of the Owls football program under Al Golden.

In 2009 DiMichele was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles, and finished the preseason 14-22 for 130 yards and a touchdown. Upon his release from the Eagles, DiMichele spent time with the Calgary Stampeders and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League during the 2009 -2010 seasons.

One of the top overall athletes in Western Pennsylvania sports history he finished his career at Sto-Rox High School as the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League’s all-time leading passer. DiMichele earned All-State honors in Football, Basketball, and Baseball during his prep career. After signing with Penn State to play football in February 2004, he decided to pursue a baseball career. He was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 38th round of the 2005 MLB Draft. DiMichele attended Okaloosa-Walton College in Niceville, Florida from 2004-2006 where he played two seasons of baseball as an outfielder and pitcher. The McKees Rocks, PA native has a brother Alex who was named the 2010 NEC Defensive Player of the Year at Robert Morris University, and brother Anthony who was a second team All-Patriot league defensive back at Holy Cross in 2010.

DiMichele will lead Erie’s explosive pass- oriented offense that led the league in total offense, passing offense, and first downs during the 2010 season. “We are thrilled to be able to have Adam lead our franchise in Erie in 2011. He is a perfect fit for our offensive system and we will have some extremely talented play-makers around him to assist in his transition to the indoor/arena game. He has all the tools to excel at this level, and is a proven winner and leader. I am excited to start working with him in camp, and beginning our quest for the 2011 SIFL Championship, “commented Erie Explosion Coach Shawn Liotta.

Erie Explosion Pro Football, proud members of the SIFL will open training camp in March 2011. For more information on the SIFL and the Erie Explosion visit www.southernifl.com

Baltimore, MD Combine

SL — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 21:45:12 +0000

Just returned from the Gridiron Placement Services combine in Baltimore Maryland on Sunday. There was a tremendous amount of talent on hand, and we are currently in the evaluation process to determine if we will invite any of these men to our 2011 Training Camp. There were coaches or scouts in attendance from the Harrisburg Stampede, Richmond Revolution, Reading Express, Lehigh Valley Steelhawks, Omaha Beef, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Philadelphia Soul, Tulsa Talons, and Richmond Raiders among others in attendance to evaluate and work with the prospects. I would like to thank Mike Trott of GPS for inviting us to be a part of the combine. This is a very exciting time of the year as we look to put the finishing touches on our 2011 Training Camp Roster. We will hold our final tryout of the year on Saturday December 11th at Edinboro University. We are still actively recruiting all positions for 2011, and we hope to have some excellent talent at our workout on Saturday.

Erie Explosion Press Conference

SL — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 18:08:20 +0000

The Erie Explosion logo was unveiled at a Press Conference at the Avalon Hotel and Conference Center on Friday December, 3rd 2010

It was an exciting day for our franchise as our new logo and name were announced yesterday. After much hard work and preparation by our ownership group and front office the Erie Explosion logo was unveiled at a press conference that was extremely well attended. The press conference was held at the “Official Hotel of the Erie Explosion” the Avalon Hotel and Conference Center in Downtown Erie. I want to thank our ownership, front office, staff, fans, Avalon Hotel and Staff, and all of the media members that covered this event. The response has been outstanding and I feel the excitement building towards the 2011 season. It has been a very busy off-season for our staff as we have been recruiting, evaluating, and signing top level talent to make a run at the 2011 SIFL Championship. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements on the players who will make up our 2011 Erie Explosion roster, as well as other events and information. I am very pleased with where our roster is at this point, and I am excited about the dynamic and talented players who will wear the Erie Explosion uniform in 2011. Our search for talent is never-ending and this week will be a hectic one as I travel Sunday to a player combine in Baltimore, attend an AFL private workout during the week, and host our open tryout at Edinboro University on Saturday December 11th. It will be a busy and fun week as we look to add the final pieces of the puzzle to bring the 2011 SIFL Championship to Erie. Stay tuned to the blog as we bring you all the latest inside information and insight as we head towards training camp in March 2011.

Erie Explosion Open Tryout Saturday December 11th

SL — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 17:18:00 +0000

Erie Explosion Professional Indoor Football announces Open Tryout for the 2011 Season. The tryout will be held on Saturday December 11th , 2010 from 5:30pm-8:00pm. Erie Explosion 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 SIFL Championship in 2011, and this is your opportunity for your talent to be discovered. Coach Liotta will be searching for the best local talent that Erie has to offer and will sign deserving players to 2011 Contracts. The tryout will be held on the campus of Edinboro University in the Zafirovski Sports & Recreation Arena at 219 Meadville Street, Edinboro, PA 16444.
Participants will be tested in the 40 Yard Dash, Broad Jump, 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). 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 Erie Explosion Head Coach Shawn Liotta at shawn.liotta@hotmail.com for more information on the tryout.

Erie Explosion Professional Indoor Football – Open Tryout Fast Facts
What: Erie Explosion Pro Football Open Tryout for 2011 Season
“Your Chance to Prove You Can Play Professional Football”

When: Saturday December 11th 2010
Where: Edinboro University – Zafirovski Sports & Recreation Arena
Time: 5:30pm- 8:00pm
Registration Begins at 5:00pm
Registration Fee: $50.00 – Cash or Money Order Only
Questions: Contact Coach Liotta – shawn.liotta@hotmail.com

The Erie Explosion are proud members of the Southern Indoor Football League. For more information on the SIFL and the Erie Explosion visit www.southernifl.com

Jovon Johnson Named Outstanding Special Teams Player

SL — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:04:23 +0000

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

SL — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 22:50:08 +0000

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

Talkin’ Tryouts

SL — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 17:49:16 +0000

The Sports Blitz Tune in to The Fan weekdays from 5pm to 7pm for your daily dose of The Sports Blitz with Jim LeCorchick. 1330 The Fan - your sports station!

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.