The San Jose Wolves are proud to announce the signing of 2009 AIFA All Star Altariq Brown. Altariq played collegiately at Florida A& M University for legendary coach Billy Joe. Brown (6’2, 310) comes to wolves after leading the AIFA this past year in tackles for loss with the Carolina Speed. In 2009 Brown was a dominating presence on the defensive front he accumulated 27 tackles 9 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss.  “Altariq had a dominant year in 2009 he is a guy who can play the nose and come off the edge as well” said GM Bennie King.  Brown is a two-time AIFA Champion having played for the Lakeland Thunderbolts in 2007 and the Florence Phantoms in 2008.” On the defensive front the ability to bring pressure is integral to the success of the defense Altariq sets the tone at nose I’m happy to have him” said King.”I look forward to coming out to the west to play it’s a new challenge and experience   I know from our previous history we will be successful” said Brown ” Were building something special here and when you add winners to your program it sets the bar high for the entire organization” said King.

Morgan State Bear Howell Brings Indoor Experience, Size to Baltimore’s Line

BALTIMORE, MD (December 15, 2009) –  Former Morgan State Bears’ Lineman Kobie Howell, a two-year indoor football veteran, has been signed by the Baltimore Mariners for the 2010 season. The Mariners, who are members of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) will kickoff their third season at 1st Mariner Arena in March, 2010.

“Kobie is a very solid recruit for us.  He has indoor football experience on both sides of the offensive and defensive line and has tremendous agility for a big man. I look for him to come into camp and have an immediate impact for us,” said Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson.

The 6’6”, 330 pound Howell has demonstrated his ability on both sides of the ball in the high school, college, and professional ranks. At Harry S. Truman High School of the Bronx, New York he excelled on both the offensive and defensive lines, earning All-Borough and All-City honors his senior year.  After finishing his prep career, the Bronx native moved south to Baltimore’s Morgan State University. Again, Howell saw time as both and offensive and defensive lineman, while lettering in 2003 and 2004.

YAKIMA, Washington (December 16, 2009) – The Yakima Valley Warriors of the American Indoor Football Association are teaming with the Yakima Valley Grid Kids Association in the development of the Yakima Valley Warriors Youth Indoor Football League. The league will operate under YVGKA Policies and Guidelines, with teams being formed in the Yakima Valley region. The league will play under AIFA playing rules, with all games preceding Warriors' home games at the SunDome.

The youth league will have six teams in each division, with each team consisting of 25 players. The divisions will be formed by age, with 8-9 year olds in one division and 10-11 year olds in another. Each division will be limited to 150 players on a first-come basis.

"One of our main goals in the AIFA is to promote the positive values of the sport of football," said AIFA co-founder Michael Mink. "Youth involvement in the sport is a very positive aspect of it. We're so pleased that the YVGKA is involved in the creation of this youth indoor football league."

The first sign up will be this Sunday, December 20th, from 1-3pm at the YVGKA warehouse. Additional signups will take place at the warehouse on December 27th, January 3rd, January 10th and January 17th. Kids should bring a copy of their birth certificate. Participants are required to pay a fee of $85, with all uniforms and player equipment provided.Checks should be payable to the Yakima Valley Warriors. Physicals will be required before the 1st day of practice on March 15th.

For more information visit www.yakimavalleywarriors.com or www.yakimavalleygridkids.blogspot.com or call YVGKA President Adrian Johnson at 509-910-5942.

The San Jose Wolves are proud to announce the signing of former Alabama State University and AIFA All Star Ryan Beneby. Beneby (6’4 350) comes to the Wolves after playing in 2008 for the AIFA Champions the Florence Phantoms. Beneby was a key component in the Phantoms 10 game-winning streak as the offensive line gave up a league low in sacks allowed in 2008. “ Ryan is a offensive lineman that gives us a great anchor on our offensive line” said GM Bennie King.

“Pass protection is the primary element that allows your offense to be successful we have a great quarterback and Ryan is a key component to our offensive production this year” said King. At Alabama State University Ryan was an ALL-SWAC selection on the Hornets team that featured future NFL player Tarvaris Jackson.

St. Louis Prep Basketball and Football Star, Saw Action in 2006 Poinsettia Bowl

BALTIMORE, MD (December 15, 2009) – Brandon Beal, a St. Louis, Missouri native who showed his versatility while lettering for four seasons at Northern Illinois University (NIU) has signed a deal for the 2010 season with the Baltimore Mariners of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA). Beal is projected as a potential defensive end, linebacker, and receiver.

“Brandon is a unique talent that has the athletic ability to play receiver, defensive end and linebacker. He is a very coachable young man and we look forward to seeing what else he can bring to the table during training camp,” stated Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson.

A standout high school star in both basketball and football at St. John Vianney High School of St. Louis, Beal notched First Team All-Conference, First Team All-District, and Second Team All-State Tight End honors after grabbing 34 receptions for 453 yards and three touchdowns as a senior. He also added 77 tackles, five sacks, and four pass deflections on defense for the Griffins. He earned a St. Louis Post-Dispatch Honorable Mention All-Metro nod after averaging 18.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game as a senior as Vianney finished the season as the state's seventh-ranked basketball team.  He topped the 1,000-point plateau during his prep basketball career and was a McDonald’s All-American Team nominee from Missouri.

The San Jose Wolves are proud to add to their growing roster former AFL Defensive Back Denario Smalls. Smalls (5'9" 185) comes to the Wolves after playing four seasons in the AFL with the New Orleans Voodoo and the Kansas

City Brigade. In 2007 Denario lead the Kansas City Brigade in tackles with 75 and started all 16 games on defense. Smalls in 2007 recorded the second highest single game tackle performance in Brigade history with 10 verse the Columbus Destroyers. In 2008 with the Brigade Denario recorded 40 tackles and 3 interceptions. "Denario gives us great experience from his time in the AFL and a guy who has some great cover skills and a proven playmaker"said GM Bennie King. "This is an offensive game and your defensive secondary is vital to the success of any team on this level Denario gives us a guy who can come right in and be a difference maker as we develop some continuity in the secondary" said King.

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.