Reading Express GM/Head Coach Bernie Nowotarski announced today that he has signed John Pitts, a former Benedict College Tiger Graduate.

John is a 6’ 205lb Defensive back. We have been watching film on John and we wanted to give this young man a chance to come into our camp and compete for a spot on this team.

“John played and started for the Tigers for 3 seasons and was the team captain for 2 of those seasons. He was the Defensive MVP of the 2007 Palmetto Capitol City Classic game. Benedict College is part of the SIAC and is located in Columbia, South Carolina. John makes his home in Eatonton, Georgia. John is another quality young man that will be at our Express training camp. He enjoys time with his family and is especially proud of his young son, Josiah. John is a hard working young man and we look forward to him coming in and competing.” commented GM/HC Nowotarski.     

Check out the Express website for Express information (www.expressindoorfootball.com). You can now follow GM/HC Bernie on Twitter…follow at http://twitter.com/CoachBDB

The San Jose Wolves are proud to announce the “Name the Wolf Contest”. As we prepare for our inaugural season we are asking you the fans to help choose the name of your Mascot. Submit your names to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it the contest will run until January 31,2010. We will then pick the best name from the names submitted and the fan whose name was chosen will receive complimentary season tickets for our inaugural 2010 season.

Tigers Lineman of the Year, New Jersey All-State Selection to Return in 2010

BALTIMORE, MD (December 11, 2009) – Jeff Tyler, the 6’6”, 280 pound offensive lineman that bolstered the Baltimore Mariners’ league leading rushing attack in 2009, has re-signed with the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) team, which is set to kick-off its third season at 1st Mariner Arena in March 2010.

Baltimore Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson commented on the Franklinville, New Jersey native, “Jeff was a very pleasant surprise last season and did a great job anchoring the right side of our offensive line.  He has tremendous technique and is able to handle pass rushers that were much heavier than he was.”

Tyler put together an award-filled prep career at Delsea Regional High School of Franklinville earning second team All-New Jersey, first team All-South Jersey, All-Tri-County Conference and All-Group III honors. In addition he was recognized as Lineman of the Year in South Jersey as a senior and led the Crusaders to three consecutive Tri-County Conference championships and three straight South Jersey Group III championship teams.

The San Jose Wolves are proud to announce the signing of former Jacksonville Jaguar and Bowling Green State University standout Charles Sharon. Charles (6’0 184) finished his collegiate career at Bowling Green State University as the schools all time leading receiver. In four seasons Sharon started 45 games for the Eagles. In his senior campaign Charles recorded 74 receptions for 1,028 yards and six touchdowns. As a junior Sharon scored 15 touchdowns and had 1,070 receiving yards. In 2006 Charles signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent and spent two seasons with the Jags. “I had an opportunity to see Charles at the UFL workout in Orlando in august and was impressed and immediately envisioned the possibilities we can use him in the indoor game” said Bennie King “ Charles and wolves quarterback Omar Jacobs were a force in the MAC conference at Bowling Green in 2005 so there is some familiarity for Sharon entering his first season in the AIFA. “There is a undeniable chemistry between Charles and Omar from there college days at Bowling Green and I know there both excited about reuniting here in San Jose”. said King “Charles gives us an additional weapon on offense he has great quickness and his maturation to the indoor game will be something to see” said King.

Harrisburg, Pa. - Former Florence Phantom Derrick Scott is the newest member of the Harrisburg Stampede after recently signing with the team.  He will be the kicker for the Stampede in the 2010 season.

Scott, like many Stampede players, began playing in Pee Wee football at a very young age.  This would be his first experience playing organized football.  He eventually went on to play college football at Tennessee Tech University.  After graduation, his pro career began with the Osceola Ghostriders, of the former “World Indoor Football League.”

He then tried out and signed with the Florence Phantoms of the AIFA before the 2008 season.  That season, the Phantoms won AIFA Championship Bowl II.  Scott said, “So far, that was the greatest moment of my football career.  Just having that feeling and knowing you are on the best team is like nothing else.”  In 2009, Scott led Florence in scoring with 100 points.

He has already set his goals for the upcoming season.  “I want to win a championship.  That should be your goal every year.  It doesn’t matter what your record was a year ago.  It is a new season.”

Coach Ramon Robinson was asked about the signing of Derrick Scott and said, “It is always great when you can add players to your lineup that are winners.  Derrick is a veteran who will bring a lot of leadership and one heck of a leg to the locker room.”

Scott currently resides in Tampa, Florida.

Brown is not new to the American Indoor Football Association in 2007 Brown played for the Lakeland Thunderbolts and moved up to the Tampa Bay Storm where he was inserted his first week in the line up as the starting full back.” Marvin is an exceptional blocker and will be a force for us in the redzone” said King. “ I am excited to show the fans of San Jose my abilities Bennie and I were together in Lakeland and had success there I expect the same this year” said Brown.

Through Community Events, Technology, Mariners Make a Name for Themselves

BALTIMORE, MD (December 10, 2009) – Whether handing out trophies at a youth league championship or cups at a college football game, or sending out “tweets” to fans and posting to a friend’s wall on Facebook, the Baltimore Mariners are using old fashioned handshakes and new technology to connect to the community.

While the real season kicks off in March of 2010 the Mariners coaches, players, and staff have been hard at work this fall and winter spreading the word about Baltimore’s professional indoor football team, which will open its third season at 1st Mariner Arena in early March.

The Mariners official offseason kicked off with the 43rd Annual Fells Point Fun Festival on October 3rd and 4th as Mariners General Manager Greg “Muggy” Justice, Head Coach Chris Simpson, players Isaiah Grier and Fearon Wright, and other players, coaches and staff were on hand to meet and greet thousands of football fans. Since that time the Mariners have been at events such as the Old Mill Youth Football Homecoming, the Harford/Baltimore County Youth Football Championships, Towson Tigers’ football games, the Annual Catonsville Tree Lighting Ceremony, and a number of outings at 1st Mariner Arena. At these events the Mariners have connected with thousands of fans, talked about the team’s upcoming season, and discussed indoor football with many new fans.

The San Jose Wolves are proud to announce the signing of AIFA All Star WR AJ Bennett.
Bennett (5’10 200) played at Eastern Michigan University and spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL in 2006. Over the past three seasons Bennett has been one of the most productive offensive players in the American Indoor Football Association. In 2007 AJ entered the AIFA with the Lakeland Thunderbolts the eventual 2007 AIFA champions. In 12 games AJ had 68 receptions for 894 Yards and 26 touchdowns. In 2008 Bennett joined the Florence Phantoms where he formed a tandem with quarterback Omar Jacobs and had 60 receptions for 947 yards and 19 touchdowns as the Phantoms won the 2008 AIFA Championship. “AJ is a great route runner in the indoor game and a clutch performer” said general manager Bennie King. “I can’t wait to get to the West Coast and compete for my third championship,” said Bennett. “I know what AJ will bring to the table from our previous stops and with what were putting together here on the offensive side of the ball it’s gonna be hard to stop us” said King.

About The San Jose Wolves

The San Jose Wolves, operated by San Jose Sports Marketing Inc, are scheduled to begin play in The Bay area the AIFA's western conference starting in March 2010. San Jose Wolves strive to deliver greater entertainment to fans with a superior game day experience. The Bay Area is a metropolitan region that encompasses large cities such as San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose and is home to more than 7 million people, many of which are avid sports fans.

San Jose Wolves are proud to announce the signing of former NFL Player and College All-American Omar Jacobs. Omar was the 2008 American Indoor Football Association’s MVP and AIFA Bowl II MVP. Jacobs etched a place in college football annuals after putting together statistically one of the best single seasons in college football history. In 2005 Jacobs passed for 41 touchdowns and 4 interceptions for the best statistical season ever for a Quarterback at Bowling Green State University.

Drafted in the fifth round of the 2006 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers Omar spent time as well with the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. Omar was projected to be the starter for the Berlin Thunder in NFL Europe in 2007 but was injured in camp and kept out of the season. Omar entered the AIFA in 2008 with the Florence Phantoms and lead the phantoms to a 13-4 record and their first division and conference titles. In AIFA Bowl II Jacobs passed for 180 yards and 4 touchdowns to lead Florence to the title.

“It’s a great day for the Wolves and our signing of elite caliber players such as Omar send a clear message to our fans and our rivals about the quality of play we expect to bring to the area” said Wolves General Manager Bennie King. “Omar gives us all the intangibles that a franchise QB brings to a ball club and we expect big things from him this year as we compete in the Western Division.”