Post by 50yardfan on Feb 18, 2011 9:12:37 GMT -5
HARRISBURG, PA (February 18, 2011) - The Harrisburg Stampede will now have a full complement of quarterbacks on their roster; when they head into training camp in less than two weeks, with the signing of two veteran signal callers, Michael Merritt and Darwin Pittman.
Merritt brings an extensive background in the indoor game to the Stampede as well as a stellar prep and college record. At Palmyra (New Jersey) High School he earned four letters and also was named All-Freedom Division, All-Burlington County, All-South Jersey, and All-Group 1.
He continued his success at New Jersey City University where he also lettered for four seasons and was an All-New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) honorable mention selectee.
Merritt will be in his seventh professional season when he takes the field for the Stampede in 2011. He made his professional debut in 2001 with the Trenton Lightning of the Indoor Professional League (IPFL).
After a two season hiatus he suited up again in 2004 for the Atlantic City Card Sharks of the National Indoor Football league (NIFL) and continued his stay with the NIFL in 2005 with the New Jersey Extreme.
After another one year break from indoor football he then played for the Lehigh Valley Outlawz of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) in 2007 and then moved to the New Jersey Revolution where he played for their CIFL club in 2008 and was part of the Revos' American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) team in 2010.
At 6', 210 pounds Merritt is known for his passing, as well as, his running abilities.
Stampede General Manager and Head Coach Bernie Nowotarski noted, "Mike is our most experienced QB. I believe his knowledge of the game and his enthusiasm will be contagious and will really make for a competitive camp. "
The Stampede also inked another veteran of the indoor football circuit, Darwin Pittman. Pittman was a high school star, playing his prep ball at East St. John High School of Reserve, Louisiana where he was named All-River Parrish and All-District.
He stayed in Louisiana and headed to Southern University of Baton Rouge, where he took the field as a receiver and lettered in 2004 and 2005.
The 6'5", 240 point Pittman made his professional debut in 2007with the Rock River Raptors of the United Football League (UFL). After one year off he surfaced with the Houma Conquerors of the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) in 2009 and played for the Greenville Force of the SIFL in 2010.
"I have been in talks with Darwin and his agent for months. It took some time but DP signed and is officially on the Stampede roster. Our QB position is going to be a very competitive position, but our belief is that the competition will bring out the best in each player and we will be able to put the team in the hands of the best players," said Nowotarski.
Merritt and Pittman will be competing with Andre Coles, who played for the Reading Express for two seasons, including their 2009 national championship squad coached by Nowotarski, and Brandon Praester a rookie from Pitt.
For information on 2011 Harrisburg Stampede please visit www.harrisburgstampede.com.
Merritt brings an extensive background in the indoor game to the Stampede as well as a stellar prep and college record. At Palmyra (New Jersey) High School he earned four letters and also was named All-Freedom Division, All-Burlington County, All-South Jersey, and All-Group 1.
He continued his success at New Jersey City University where he also lettered for four seasons and was an All-New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) honorable mention selectee.
Merritt will be in his seventh professional season when he takes the field for the Stampede in 2011. He made his professional debut in 2001 with the Trenton Lightning of the Indoor Professional League (IPFL).
After a two season hiatus he suited up again in 2004 for the Atlantic City Card Sharks of the National Indoor Football league (NIFL) and continued his stay with the NIFL in 2005 with the New Jersey Extreme.
After another one year break from indoor football he then played for the Lehigh Valley Outlawz of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) in 2007 and then moved to the New Jersey Revolution where he played for their CIFL club in 2008 and was part of the Revos' American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) team in 2010.
At 6', 210 pounds Merritt is known for his passing, as well as, his running abilities.
Stampede General Manager and Head Coach Bernie Nowotarski noted, "Mike is our most experienced QB. I believe his knowledge of the game and his enthusiasm will be contagious and will really make for a competitive camp. "
The Stampede also inked another veteran of the indoor football circuit, Darwin Pittman. Pittman was a high school star, playing his prep ball at East St. John High School of Reserve, Louisiana where he was named All-River Parrish and All-District.
He stayed in Louisiana and headed to Southern University of Baton Rouge, where he took the field as a receiver and lettered in 2004 and 2005.
The 6'5", 240 point Pittman made his professional debut in 2007with the Rock River Raptors of the United Football League (UFL). After one year off he surfaced with the Houma Conquerors of the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) in 2009 and played for the Greenville Force of the SIFL in 2010.
"I have been in talks with Darwin and his agent for months. It took some time but DP signed and is officially on the Stampede roster. Our QB position is going to be a very competitive position, but our belief is that the competition will bring out the best in each player and we will be able to put the team in the hands of the best players," said Nowotarski.
Merritt and Pittman will be competing with Andre Coles, who played for the Reading Express for two seasons, including their 2009 national championship squad coached by Nowotarski, and Brandon Praester a rookie from Pitt.
For information on 2011 Harrisburg Stampede please visit www.harrisburgstampede.com.