Post by 50yardfan on Sept 29, 2010 15:23:14 GMT -5
La Crosse, WI: La Crosse Spartans General Manager Chris Kokalis has successfully completed his fourth trade in the past three weeks by securing the rights to wide receiver Emmanuel Spann from the West Michigan Thunderhawks today. Spann becomes the second wideout acquired via trade this offseason and will join former Thunderhawk teammate Bryan Pray in La Crosse for 2011. The Spartans were able to get Spann for future considerations.
Spann (6'0", 189 lbs.) caught 46 passes for 534 yards and 10 touchdowns in nine games last year for West Michigan. Coming out of Marshall University in 2009, he was invited to camp with the Atlanta Falcons and was rated among the top wide receivers in the country his senior year. In addition to receiving, he also served as holder and long snapper last year for the Thunderhawks.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Spartans have inked former Austin Peay standout Kevis Buckley to a one-year contract. Buckley (5'9",186 lbs.) was a four-year starter at cornerback and was named to the First-Team All-Ohio Valley Conference. He finished his collegiate career in 2009 among the school's top five leaders in career interceptions.
"Adding these two guys to our roster really speaks volumes for what we are trying to do as a team," General Manager Chris Kokalis said. "Both are very quick and versatile and we are really looking forward to having them in camp with us."
The team will be holding its first open tryouts of the offseason on Saturday, October 9, at the La Crosse Center. The tryouts will begin at Noon that day with registrations and warm-ups beginning at 11:00 a.m. Players are encouraged to pre-register by logging on to www.lacrossespartans.com.
The Spartans, entering their second season in the Indoor Football League, were named the 2010 IFL Community Relations Franchise of the Year for their efforts in the community this past season. Season tickets are now on sale for the 2011 season for as low as $84 and can be purchased by calling 608-782-4461 or by visiting www.lacrossespartans.com.
Spann (6'0", 189 lbs.) caught 46 passes for 534 yards and 10 touchdowns in nine games last year for West Michigan. Coming out of Marshall University in 2009, he was invited to camp with the Atlanta Falcons and was rated among the top wide receivers in the country his senior year. In addition to receiving, he also served as holder and long snapper last year for the Thunderhawks.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Spartans have inked former Austin Peay standout Kevis Buckley to a one-year contract. Buckley (5'9",186 lbs.) was a four-year starter at cornerback and was named to the First-Team All-Ohio Valley Conference. He finished his collegiate career in 2009 among the school's top five leaders in career interceptions.
"Adding these two guys to our roster really speaks volumes for what we are trying to do as a team," General Manager Chris Kokalis said. "Both are very quick and versatile and we are really looking forward to having them in camp with us."
The team will be holding its first open tryouts of the offseason on Saturday, October 9, at the La Crosse Center. The tryouts will begin at Noon that day with registrations and warm-ups beginning at 11:00 a.m. Players are encouraged to pre-register by logging on to www.lacrossespartans.com.
The Spartans, entering their second season in the Indoor Football League, were named the 2010 IFL Community Relations Franchise of the Year for their efforts in the community this past season. Season tickets are now on sale for the 2011 season for as low as $84 and can be purchased by calling 608-782-4461 or by visiting www.lacrossespartans.com.