Post by 50yardfan on Nov 1, 2010 11:28:50 GMT -5
Bethlehem, PA: The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks held their first open tryout on Sunday, October 24th at the Ulrich Sports Complex on the Goodman Campus of Lehigh University. Almost 60 participants came out for the morning session to take their crack at making the 45 man training camp roster heading into the 2011 season. From the evaluation, Coach Richard Britt and his staff signed nine young men with the possibility of adding more from this tryout in the near future. Headlining the signings are a pair of local stars from rivaling Universities. Lehigh University All-American Linebacker Matt Cohen and Lafayette standout Spencer Brown plan to bring their athleticism and dedication to what promises to be a stout defensive core.
Cohen stayed close to home when deciding to sign back in 2006 to play for Lehigh University out of High School. The Central Catholic star capped off a remarkable career for the Mountain Hawks by finishing with 177 total tackles, 18.5 sacks, 44 tackles-for-loss, four interceptions and was named the 2009 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. For his efforts, Cohen was named to the Walter Camp, Sports Network, and College Sporting News First Team All-America lists in 2009, a season which the Linebacker led the Patriot League in sacks and tackles for a loss for the second consecutive season.
"When you get a kid like Matt Cohen, who is not only a local product, but a good citizen and talented athlete who have to consider yourself lucky as a Head Coach," stated Britt. "Matt has the abilities to be playing on Sunday's, and we hope that the Steelhawks can be his platform for showing scouts what he can do on the professional level."
Brown, a New Port Richey, Florida native comes to the Steelhawks after a promising career at neighboring Lafayette University. A two year starter for the Leopards, he recorded 39 total tackles, two sacks, six tackles-for-loss and two forced fumbles. He was also a member of the 2006 Patriot League Championship team. Making Brown more appealing to the coaching staff was his ability to play on both sides of the football. Pre-Lafayette, at Naval Academy Prep School he lined up as a Fullback, and garnered an Offensive MVP Award for averaging 5.9 yards per carry.
The team has been hard at work evaluating and scouting local and national talent for a shot at making the Final 30-man roster for the Steelhawks first game against rival Reading on February 26th. Additional members from the tryout are still being evaluated, and additional signings plan to be announced in the near future. The seven other young men signed from Sunday's tryout include:
Johnnie Taylor-DB/WR 6'4" 190 lbs New Jersey City University/CIFL/AFL/IFL
Taylor brings plenty of Indoor experience to the Steelhawks defensive core. This veteran is no stranger to the Valley as he currently plays for the Semi-Pro Lehigh Valley Steelers of the Colonial Football Alliance and is a former member of the now defunct Lehigh Valley Outlawz. The NJCU track star combines 4.3 speed, with size and strength to shut down opposing teams larger wide receivers. He was a 2007 nominee for CIFL Rookie of the Year.
AJ Roque-QB 6'0" 190 lbs Kean University/Erie Storm-AIFA
A native of Matawan, New Jersey, Roque played his College ball at Kean University where he finished his career with 8.443 passing yards, 65 touchdown passes and five rushing scores. He currently holds the NJAC career passing record and was named the Conference's Offensive Player of the Year in 2006 and 2007. Roque then brought his talents to the indoor game, suiting up for the Erie Storm of the AIFA last season where he continually beat opponents with not only his strong arm, but his legs as well.
Shane Schneider-OL/DL 6'1" 275 lbs Shippensburg University
Schneider is another local product who took his talents to Shippensburg University where he played for two years as a Center and Long Snapper. The Allentown native shows a quick burst off the line of scrimmage and be intrigal in Coach Britt's pass blocking scheme.
Maurice Bowers-OL/DL 6'0" 275 lbs Colgate University/AF2
An Indoor Veteran, Bowers comes to the Steelhawks after two years of playing in the AF2 for Albany and Stockton. His versatility has allowed him to move to many different positions including Defensive Line, Offensive Line, Fullback, and Linebacker. Coach Britt and staff anticipate the Plainfield, New Jersey native adding veteran leadership to this young team.
Antwan Harris-RB/WR 5'8" 198 lbs Mount Ida College/Fairbanks Grizzlies/IFL
Harris joins the Steelhawks with a large pedigree for success on the field. At Mount Ida College, Harris became just the 9th player in Division III history to rush for 4,000 yards in his career. Upon taking his career to the Indoor game, Harris starred as a running back for the Fairbanks Grizzlies of the IFL where in a year and a half with the team he played in 23 games, starting 14 of them. With Harris, the Grizzlies made two consecutive trips to the IFL playoffs.
Aaron Feaver-WR 5'7" 165 lbs Coastal Carolina University
Don't let his size fool you. Feaver has the big play ability and breakaway speed to be a HUGE threat in the indoor game. Secondly, his determination is second to none. A former walk-on at Coastal Carolina and then track star at Slippery Rock University, Feaver currently leads the Semi-Pro Colonial Football Alliance in yards per catch with an outstanding 35 yards average.
Anthony Miles-DB 5'11" 190 lbs. New Jersey City University/CIFL
Yet another player with 4.3 speed, this two-time National Indoor Track Champion in 2005 and 2006 brings experience playing indoor football after spending time with the New England Surge and the Lehigh Valley Outlawz. Miles could be used in a variety of different ways this season, including the defensive secondary and special teams units.
With 16 players under contract for the 2011 season, the Coaching staff is hard at work filling out the roster. A second open tryout is in the works for December in hopes of adding to an already talented group of young men. The Steelhawks are allowed to bring as many as 45 men to training camp in February in anticipation of their February 26th opener at the Reading Express. The team's Home Opener is scheduled for March 19th at the Stabler Arena on the Goodman Campus of Lehigh University against the Richmond Revolution.
For further information please call Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Executive Vice President Mike Clark at (610) 282-3100, or the IFL League Office at (804) 643-PASS (7277). To visit our websites, log onto www.LVSteelhawks.com or www.goifl.com.
Sponsorship/Partnership packages are now available as well. If your business is interested in teaming with the Lehigh Valley's newest professional sports team, please contact Chris Drayton at 484-330-9821 or via email at cdrayton@lvsteelhawks.com.
Cohen stayed close to home when deciding to sign back in 2006 to play for Lehigh University out of High School. The Central Catholic star capped off a remarkable career for the Mountain Hawks by finishing with 177 total tackles, 18.5 sacks, 44 tackles-for-loss, four interceptions and was named the 2009 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. For his efforts, Cohen was named to the Walter Camp, Sports Network, and College Sporting News First Team All-America lists in 2009, a season which the Linebacker led the Patriot League in sacks and tackles for a loss for the second consecutive season.
"When you get a kid like Matt Cohen, who is not only a local product, but a good citizen and talented athlete who have to consider yourself lucky as a Head Coach," stated Britt. "Matt has the abilities to be playing on Sunday's, and we hope that the Steelhawks can be his platform for showing scouts what he can do on the professional level."
Brown, a New Port Richey, Florida native comes to the Steelhawks after a promising career at neighboring Lafayette University. A two year starter for the Leopards, he recorded 39 total tackles, two sacks, six tackles-for-loss and two forced fumbles. He was also a member of the 2006 Patriot League Championship team. Making Brown more appealing to the coaching staff was his ability to play on both sides of the football. Pre-Lafayette, at Naval Academy Prep School he lined up as a Fullback, and garnered an Offensive MVP Award for averaging 5.9 yards per carry.
The team has been hard at work evaluating and scouting local and national talent for a shot at making the Final 30-man roster for the Steelhawks first game against rival Reading on February 26th. Additional members from the tryout are still being evaluated, and additional signings plan to be announced in the near future. The seven other young men signed from Sunday's tryout include:
Johnnie Taylor-DB/WR 6'4" 190 lbs New Jersey City University/CIFL/AFL/IFL
Taylor brings plenty of Indoor experience to the Steelhawks defensive core. This veteran is no stranger to the Valley as he currently plays for the Semi-Pro Lehigh Valley Steelers of the Colonial Football Alliance and is a former member of the now defunct Lehigh Valley Outlawz. The NJCU track star combines 4.3 speed, with size and strength to shut down opposing teams larger wide receivers. He was a 2007 nominee for CIFL Rookie of the Year.
AJ Roque-QB 6'0" 190 lbs Kean University/Erie Storm-AIFA
A native of Matawan, New Jersey, Roque played his College ball at Kean University where he finished his career with 8.443 passing yards, 65 touchdown passes and five rushing scores. He currently holds the NJAC career passing record and was named the Conference's Offensive Player of the Year in 2006 and 2007. Roque then brought his talents to the indoor game, suiting up for the Erie Storm of the AIFA last season where he continually beat opponents with not only his strong arm, but his legs as well.
Shane Schneider-OL/DL 6'1" 275 lbs Shippensburg University
Schneider is another local product who took his talents to Shippensburg University where he played for two years as a Center and Long Snapper. The Allentown native shows a quick burst off the line of scrimmage and be intrigal in Coach Britt's pass blocking scheme.
Maurice Bowers-OL/DL 6'0" 275 lbs Colgate University/AF2
An Indoor Veteran, Bowers comes to the Steelhawks after two years of playing in the AF2 for Albany and Stockton. His versatility has allowed him to move to many different positions including Defensive Line, Offensive Line, Fullback, and Linebacker. Coach Britt and staff anticipate the Plainfield, New Jersey native adding veteran leadership to this young team.
Antwan Harris-RB/WR 5'8" 198 lbs Mount Ida College/Fairbanks Grizzlies/IFL
Harris joins the Steelhawks with a large pedigree for success on the field. At Mount Ida College, Harris became just the 9th player in Division III history to rush for 4,000 yards in his career. Upon taking his career to the Indoor game, Harris starred as a running back for the Fairbanks Grizzlies of the IFL where in a year and a half with the team he played in 23 games, starting 14 of them. With Harris, the Grizzlies made two consecutive trips to the IFL playoffs.
Aaron Feaver-WR 5'7" 165 lbs Coastal Carolina University
Don't let his size fool you. Feaver has the big play ability and breakaway speed to be a HUGE threat in the indoor game. Secondly, his determination is second to none. A former walk-on at Coastal Carolina and then track star at Slippery Rock University, Feaver currently leads the Semi-Pro Colonial Football Alliance in yards per catch with an outstanding 35 yards average.
Anthony Miles-DB 5'11" 190 lbs. New Jersey City University/CIFL
Yet another player with 4.3 speed, this two-time National Indoor Track Champion in 2005 and 2006 brings experience playing indoor football after spending time with the New England Surge and the Lehigh Valley Outlawz. Miles could be used in a variety of different ways this season, including the defensive secondary and special teams units.
With 16 players under contract for the 2011 season, the Coaching staff is hard at work filling out the roster. A second open tryout is in the works for December in hopes of adding to an already talented group of young men. The Steelhawks are allowed to bring as many as 45 men to training camp in February in anticipation of their February 26th opener at the Reading Express. The team's Home Opener is scheduled for March 19th at the Stabler Arena on the Goodman Campus of Lehigh University against the Richmond Revolution.
For further information please call Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Executive Vice President Mike Clark at (610) 282-3100, or the IFL League Office at (804) 643-PASS (7277). To visit our websites, log onto www.LVSteelhawks.com or www.goifl.com.
Sponsorship/Partnership packages are now available as well. If your business is interested in teaming with the Lehigh Valley's newest professional sports team, please contact Chris Drayton at 484-330-9821 or via email at cdrayton@lvsteelhawks.com.