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 http://www.southernifl.com

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.

SL

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.

SL

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 http://www.southernifl.com