Post by fwp on Mar 28, 2009 7:19:26 GMT -5
www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/522243.html?nav=524
Professional indoor football returns to the Ohio Valley tonight at WesBanco Arena.
The Wheeling Wildcats will open a six-game Continental Indoor Football League home schedule against the Fort Wayne Freedom.
The Wildcats debuted two weeks ago at Marion, Ohio, and bowed, 55-47 to the Mayhem.
Tonight's contest could provide an early barometer on what fans can expect from the new franchise, which fills a void left when the Ohio Valley Greyhounds closed shop two years ago.
The Greyhounds' franchise began as the Smash in 1999 and it was a rather slow start marked by several disappointments on and off the artificial turf as well as instability in the coaching ranks.
But the Greyhounds stayed the course and reached the pinnacle with back-to-back National Indoor Football League championships in 2002 and 2003. Included was a rare unbeaten season.
Those successes added to the fan support but, like many minor league efforts across the land, the public backing dropped when the team successes were reduced.
The Wildcats are now the "new kid in town" and probably will have to earn the patron support with a solid product on the turf along with some entertaining athletes and games.
A roster move this week is a step in the right direction.
The Wildcats added two former West Virginia University football players in linebacker KEVIN (BOO) McLEE and defensive back ERIC WICKS. They join a roster that also shows ex-Mountaineer VAUGHN RIVERS. Also listed on the team is former Bellaire High and Kent State defensive back CLINT LEKANUDOS, former Kent State luminary EUGENE BAKER and ex-Pitt quarterback ROD RUTHERFORD.
Both Baker and Rutherford have extensive experience in other professional leagues and are well-known names to area football buffs......article continues in link.
Professional indoor football returns to the Ohio Valley tonight at WesBanco Arena.
The Wheeling Wildcats will open a six-game Continental Indoor Football League home schedule against the Fort Wayne Freedom.
The Wildcats debuted two weeks ago at Marion, Ohio, and bowed, 55-47 to the Mayhem.
Tonight's contest could provide an early barometer on what fans can expect from the new franchise, which fills a void left when the Ohio Valley Greyhounds closed shop two years ago.
The Greyhounds' franchise began as the Smash in 1999 and it was a rather slow start marked by several disappointments on and off the artificial turf as well as instability in the coaching ranks.
But the Greyhounds stayed the course and reached the pinnacle with back-to-back National Indoor Football League championships in 2002 and 2003. Included was a rare unbeaten season.
Those successes added to the fan support but, like many minor league efforts across the land, the public backing dropped when the team successes were reduced.
The Wildcats are now the "new kid in town" and probably will have to earn the patron support with a solid product on the turf along with some entertaining athletes and games.
A roster move this week is a step in the right direction.
The Wildcats added two former West Virginia University football players in linebacker KEVIN (BOO) McLEE and defensive back ERIC WICKS. They join a roster that also shows ex-Mountaineer VAUGHN RIVERS. Also listed on the team is former Bellaire High and Kent State defensive back CLINT LEKANUDOS, former Kent State luminary EUGENE BAKER and ex-Pitt quarterback ROD RUTHERFORD.
Both Baker and Rutherford have extensive experience in other professional leagues and are well-known names to area football buffs......article continues in link.