This past fall Barbara Spigner acquired the remaining interest in the Cape Fear Heroes Arena Football Team and is now its sole owner.

Last year Barbara was a partner in the team but she had a vision to take the team to the next level and wanted do to some exciting things going forward. Being a successful business woman she knew her skills would allow her and the team to do great things with the right goals and objectives behind her, part of her vision was for the team to be more accessible and active in the community and for the team to work more with charitable causes. That being said the Heroes where set up as a non-profit legal entity and although it still will a take strong participation from team sponsors and ticket sales to make the Heroes successful our non – profit status will help us do many additional things within our community.

Barbara has always had a golden heart and looks for ways to be a positive influence to others.

Barbara is no stranger to professional Indoor Football having been a team owner for three years, two of those with the Florence Phantoms and last season with the Cape Fear Heroes. In two of those seasons her teams won national championships (2008, 2012). Over her three seasons as an owner her teams have amassed an overall record of 25 wins and 12 losses.

One of Barbara’s first acts of giving back to the community was during this past season when she donated five laptop computers to players from the Heroes Youth Football Organization, a member of the AIF for Kids program. Players were asked to write about one of their heroes in life, a player with the best essay was then selected from each age group.

The essays were well written as well as emotional and it was hard to choose just one winner from each age group but the winners were finally chosen. Many of the heroes written about came from that child’s family structure or a teacher in their school. The age groups represented were 8 & 9, 10 & 11, 12 & 13 and 14 & 15. Ms. Spigner hopes to expand upon the program this season.

Build – A – Bear Workshop

    
When the tragedy happened in Newtown Ct. recently Barbara and the Heroes we looking for a way to acknowledge the twenty six people who lost their lives with a positive reinforcement for the surviving family members and loved ones.

The Heroes sent each family through the Newtown Police Department A - Build – A- Bear Workshop Heroes custom teddy bear in remembrance of their lost loved one.

 

Heroes Ring Ceremony

Heroes owner Barbara Spigner shown with county commissioner Charles Evans and Heroes team members and staff (photo courtesy of the Fayetteville Press).

This past Saturday night January 19th, 2012 the Cape Fear Heroes held their Championship Ring Ceremony at the Holiday Inn- Bordeaux in Fayetteville North Carolina. Over one hundred people attended the event honoring players and staff of the 2012 Heroes undefeated and national championship season.

The evening started out with a cocktail and reception hour at the All American Sports Bar and Grill then later moved over to the hotels Wellington banquet room for the ceremony. The ceremony opened up with County Commissioner Charles Evans who talked about the benefits of the Heroes to the community followed by a speech from team owner Barbara Spigner who thanked everyone in attendance for their commitment to the Heroes and shared her plans and vision for the team’s future.

At that point Barbara Spigner and Heroes Head Coach Charles Gunnings presented championship rings to Heroes coaches and players in recognition of their undefeated 2012 season and AIF National Championship. While it is not uncommon for teams to give championship rings to reward their players of such an accomplishment Barbara took it one step further.

Each Heroes player was also given a special gift from Ms. Spigner and told not to open it until later in the ceremony. After a brief video, players were told to open their gifts and were surprised to see a certificate for a team cruise on Celebration Cruise Lines to the Bahamas from Barbara. Barbara went on to explain the cruise was the first component of a long range plan for a Heroes Goodwill Tour to the Bahamas.

As part of the Goodwill Tour proposed future plans include the Heroes working with the Bahamas and Grand Lucayan Resort to have Heroes coaches and players teach instructional football clinics across the Bahamas.

Barbara is a longtime resident of Fayetteville where she owns and operates Spigner Management Systems, Inc. and B.J. Hill & Associates. She serves on the City of Fayetteville Board of Adjustment and the Nursing Home Advisory Board.

York Capitals' Head Coach Kelly Logan announced today the players and coaches signed so far for the 2013 inaugural York Capitals' season.

The roster includes several former NFL, CFL or AF1 players that hope to bring an exciting style of ball to the York City Ice Arena this spring. Out of the twenty players listed six have earned indoor football all-star status in at least one of their professional seasons.

 Key: NFL- National Football League, CFL – Canadian Football League, XFL – Xtreme Football League , AIFA – American Indoor Football Assoc., SIFL – Southern Indoor Football League, IFL – Indoor Football League, NIFL – National Indoor Football League, NFL – Europe,

York Capitals Coaches

Kelly Logan – Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator

Ulander Giles – Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach

Jimmy Lewis – Defensive Back Coach

Mores Manoyrine –Running Back/ Wide Receiver Coach

Shelton Stewart – Defensive Line Coach

Shane Houser – Offensive Line Coach

Do you have what it takes to be a Lightning Dancer?

Rochester’s newest professional Area Football team is looking for 16 fun-loving, exceptional dancers to entertain our fans, participate in public appearances and represent the Thunder with a positive attitude and a big smile! Lightning dancers will be paid a small salary for each game performance.

The Roc City Lightning is sponsored by the Rochester Athletic Club.

Date: January 26, 2013
Time: 11:30 – registration 12:00 - tryouts begin (please pre-register online at http://roccitylightning.com) 
Location: Rochester Athletic Club 21 Goodway Drive Henrietta
Please Bring: 5x7 Head shot (does not have to be professional, but nice!)
Prepare a 30 second original dance of your own style
Full hair and make-up, dress to impress (something you can dance in)

$40 Try-out Fee Cash or credit cards, Please, no checks.

For more information, visit the Lightning website or call Penny @ 315-398-2402

LaRoi Johnson is a great guy with a big heart. He opens up about his struggles with his weight, the team he will play for this year and his family.

Joe Gaiter: What is your view on life?

LaRoi Johnson: My view on life is to be as happy and as satisfied as possible. I believe that we as humans must learn to live with a regret, that’s just a part of life. We get older and have to make decisions and we try to make them the best ones but sometimes we choose the wrong thing and we have to learn to deal with them. As I march on in my life I formulate more goals for me to obtain and I love the challenge to capture them.

Joe Gaiter: What have you been up to lately?

LaRoi Johnson:Working and working out getting prepared for the season. I coach High School football in Pittsburgh, PA where I live at. I coach for U.S.O Wildcats a city league team in Pittsburgh. We did very well this season winning our district championship and advancing very far in state playoffs. I am the offensive coordinator of the varsity team.

Joe Gaiter: Last year you played for the Chattanooga Generals. Tell me about that experience.

LaRoi Johnson:It was by far the most humbling experience of my life. I love playing Indoor/Arena football. I love being a part of a community and being someone that kids can look up to. Playing for that team was by far the worst experience I have ever been a part of. We were never paid, we didn’t have any food to eat, we never practice, and we traveled to far games in vans the day of the game. It was just an overall terrible experience the only people that made it ok was my teammates down there!

Joe Gaiter: Tell me about the struggle with your size?

LaRoi Johnson:I am originally an outdoor Tight-end. Playing indoor/Arena football I am a tween-er between a few positions. I have played Wide Receiver, Fullback, Tight-end, in my career. I often get coaches who have different opinions on what positions they think is best and I often times get confused on what I think is best for me. It’s like being versatile sometimes hurts me because coaches don’t know exactly where I could fit with them. In my personal opinion I believe I can help a team with being a versatile athlete who can put pressure on a defense because I can hurt them in 3 different positions. I can be a huge red-zone threat at any one of those spots as well as be a great blocker. I hope one day I can put all of my abilities to use on a team but only time will tell.

Joe Gaiter: Why did you sign with the York Capitals?

LaRoi Johnson: I originally signed with the Abilene Bombers but I recently got a job offer with the YMCA to become there sports coordinator and I just recently had my first child so I just couldn’t put my family through me not being around. I decided to reach out to local teams and I found Coach Logan and the York Capitals. I signed with him because Coach Logan has an understanding on my skill-set and I believe we can win a championship. I personally want to showcase my full skill-set.

Read the Entire Interview Here: Expanded Sports - LaRoi Johnson: New Team Same Dream

Copyright: Joe Gaiter - Expanded Sports

When:     Saturday, February 2, 2013 

Where:   Susquehanna Sports Complex    1001 Bosler Ave, Lemoyne  (see www.susq-sports.com for Directions)

Registration: 9:00am – 10am   -  $40 Cash Only - Players attending for 2^nd time - $10

Itinerary:

10:00 – 10:05 - Introductions

10:05 – 11:00 –  Open Testing (40 , Pro Shuttle, Broad Jump) 

11:00 – 1:00 -  Football Skill Testing …

Indis – Quick position warm-up

After Indi’s – db’s / lb’s , 1 on 1 with wr’s and rb’s.. pass coverage /  ol/dl  - hand and footwork drills

Next session – 3 on 3 with db’s / db’s and wr’s / ol/dl and rb’s work on block tech

Next Session – 5 on 5 with wr’s / rb’s / db’s / lb’s / Lines continue to work tech or 1 on 1 drills

Next Session -  Full Team

Harrisburg Stampede Head Coach, Bernie Nowotarski announced today that WR Prentice Quince has signed with the Stampede for the 2013 Season.

Prentice is a player with quickness, speed and seems to just find the open area. The former Boynton Beach Community HS and Tallahassee Community College Grad has been a thorn in Coach Nowotarski’s defensive game plan for several seasons as part of the Fayetteville Guard and Force and last year’s AIF Champions Cape Fear Heroes.

Prentice signing with the Stampede will give the Stampede another speed threat. As well his Indoor experience and understanding of the game should pay off in points scored especially with veteran QB EJ Nemeth.

“If you would have told me a week ago that we were going to sign a starting WR from Cape Fear, I would have told you that’s just crazy. When Prentice messaged me I was shocked that he asked if he could come play for us in Harrisburg. Over the last 4 or 5 seasons this kid has probably caught more TD’s against us than any other receiver. So we are excited to have Prentice and we look forward to him getting into town. I think he will be a big hit with the kids and our fans. He understands how to play this game and entertain,” mentioned Nowotarski. .

Just a Reminder: The Stampede’s first Open Try-Out is Saturday January 12 from 10am to 1pm at Sports City Harrisburg. See our Team Web Site and our FB and Twitter pages for details. Opening night is Saturday March 16 at 5:05pm. Our FREE Super Bowl Ticket promotion is running til the end of this week. Don’t miss your chance for 2 tickets to the Big Game in New Orleans.

The Roc City Thunder Professional Indoor Football Team announced today it will call the RIT Gordon Field House its home field.

The Gordon Field House will host four regular season home games for the Thunder as they take on other teams from the American Indoor Football League.  The Thunder will kick off their schedule March 16^th 2013 at 7:15pm against the West Virginia Badgers.

Every Thunder game will be non-stop excitement that will appeal to students and families alike with general admission tickets costing no more than $11 a piece. Both season tickets and individual game tickets will be available at the Gordon Field House Box Office, online at RITtickets.com, and 585-475-4121 starting Jan 16^th  at noon.  

Get your tickets as soon as possible as the fastest game on turf is sure to sell out fast!

Roc City Thunder Home Game Schedule at Gordon Field House RIT Campus:

Saturday March 16^th 7:15pm vs West Virginia Badgers
Friday March 29^th 7:30pm vs York Capitals
Sunday April 21^st at 3pm vs Washington Eagles
Friday April 26^th at 7:30pm vs West Virginia Badgers

The Harrisburg Stampede has taken an active community role by becoming a major sponsor of the Pa Farm Show event that is taking place this week.

The Stampede helped to kick off the Farm Show with an appearance by Head Coach Bernie Nowotarski and his two sons Giovanni and Brody. Along with RB Eugene Goodman and two members of the Starletz dance team Sara and Lindsey.

They excited the sold out Farm Show Arena by throwing Mini Stampede footballs into the crowd. As well the Stampede made a major ticket announcement as they have offered fans to purchase 2 season tickets and be automatically entered for a chance to win 2 Super Bowl Tickets for the game in New Orleans next month.

When you purchase two Harrisburg Stampede season tickets between Saturday, January 5, 2013 and Saturday, January 12, 2013 you will become eligible to win 2 Super Bowl XLVII Tickets in New Orleans, LA.

Lady Badgers Dance Team has announced the second round of Auditions.

Calling all dancers for the Lady Badgers auditions! Round Two of auditions will be at the LA Fitness (Ballys) - 6200 Little River Turnpike Alexandria VA  

Please arrive early. Registration begins at 12:30 PM and audition at 1 PM promptly.

For questions please contact:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bally Total Fitness - Landmark

6200 Little River Tpke

Lincolnia, Virginia 22312

The Cape Fear Heroes are pleased to announce the re-signing of Head Coach Charles Gunnings for the 2013 season. Charles led the Heroes to a perfect 9-0 record last season, including a 79-27 victory against the California Eagles in the American Indoor Football title game this past June. The 2012 season was Charles second undefeated and national championship season having previously led the Fayetteville Guard to a perfect 13-0 regular season record in 2007 with a win over the Wyoming Calvary.

Charles is recognized as one of indoor football’s best coaches, his teams have consistently won and his defenses are usually ranked either 1^st or 2^nd almost every year. With a group of returning veteran players Charles and the Heroes have the opportunity to go after back to back championships a rare accomplishment in any sport.

Barbara Spigner owner of the Heroes is excited to have Coaching Gunnings back at the helm and anticipates another successful season for the Heroes

Charles was born in Gastonia North Carolina and raised in Laurinburg, North Carolina where he attended Scotland High School.  While in High School he lettered in 3 sports: Football, Basketball, and Track.  Later Gunnings earned a Football Scholarship to Elizabeth City State University as a defensive back where he was converted to linebacker and earned All CIAA honors at that position.  Upon graduating from ECSU, Gunnings stayed at ECSU to coach as a linebackers coach while he pursued his NFL Dreams.  After 3 failed tryout attempts with the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL Gunnings began his professional football career in 2000 with the AF2 Cape Fear Wildcats where he played running back and linebacker, and recorded the team’s first rushing touchdown in their history. Gunnings went on to play for the Cape Fear Wildcats for another 3 years before injuries sidelined him indefinitely and he turned to coaching.

Charles is married to Shaunee Langford Gunnings, and has 2 children, a daughter Laila and a son Charles Jr.