Monthly Archives: March 2012

March 6, 2012 · 9:13 pm

Opening Day Game Almost Sold Out!

The Steelhawk’s 2012 home opener will soon be here and word is the game is almost sold out! Get your tickets and come help the Noise Nation cheer our team on to a big home win!

With more details of the exciting opening day, first some Breaking News!

As seen on the Richmond Raiders Blog, it appears the Steelhawks have aquired, via trade with the Allen Wranglers, Quarterback Bryan Randall. You may remember the Wranglers as the team that gave partial ownership to Terrell Owens to join the team and Randall was the Quarterback who tossed those 3 touchdown passes to Owens in their opening game this season. (Terrell Owens trading away a quarterback.. imagine that) Anyways, the post also notes Randall as Randall the 2010 IFL player of the year and former ACC player of the year when he started for Virginia Tech. Hoping this provides a boost to the Steelhawk’s offense who struggled to find the end zone last week. No word if Randall will be active for the upcoming home opener or who’s spot on the roster he would take. Stay tuned for more details.

More on the Sunday game:

In their first home game of the 2012 season, the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks take on the visiting Bloomington Edge. After two weeks on the road, the Steelhawks finally return to Pennsylvania for a Sunday afternoon game at 4:05 p.m. with a goal of climbing above .500.

The Edge(2-1) , come to the Valley after claiming victories against Reading and Chicago at home, but falling to Chicago on the road in the IFL’s Kick Off Classic. Bloomington comes into the game with a dual threat offensively between QB Dusty Burk (10tds, 2int) and RB Andre Raymond (72yds, 4tds). Their Defense is led by 2011 IFL Defensive player of the Year Antonio Ficklin who has two sacks on the year thus far.

The Edge will be up against a stingy Steelhawks (1-1) defense that is only giving up 29.5 points per game (3rd best in the league) thus far in 2012. Leading the defense is rookie DB Marvin Johnson (16tacs, 2ints) who was IFL’s Defensive Player of the Week in Week One. Offensively, the Steelhawks are lead by RB Ryan Leafey (89 yds on 14 carries for 6.4ypca and 1td), who will look to again be a force to be reckoned with in front of the home crowd.

Before the game, fans are invited to come out and tailgate with live music as the Birds of Prey will be performing. A special halftime performance will feature Drummers with Attitude, a local bucket-drumming group, and lots of prizes and giveaways will happen throughout the evening.

The Steelhawk Booster club will also have a huge stash of horns, bells and beads available for purchase as well as a raffle to win a team signed Steelhawks helmet. Many thanks to the Steelhawks for providing this great raffle prize!

Kickoff is lined up for 4:05 p.m. (EST) and will be broadcast on Service Electric TV2 Sports, as will all home games for the 2012 season.

A quick view of the current Steelhawks Roster, if you truly want to meet them come to a game. They hang around to chat and sign autographs for fans.

Defensive Backs
Isiejah Allen – Fordam University
Jarard Cribbs – Lehigh University
Calvin Harrison – University of Kentucky
Marvin Johnson – University of Oregon
John Kennedy III – Lehigh University
Derel Williams – North Iowa Area Community College

Defensive Line
Gerard Bryant – St. Lawrence University
Bryan Tarkington – Washington State University
Chris Medina – Kutztown University

Kicker
Chris Hazley – Virginia Tech

Linebacker
Matt Cohen – Lehigh University
Adrian McLeod – Western Carolina University
Sam Maxwell – University of Kentucky

Offensive Line
Michael Byrne – University of Delaware/NFL-Dolphins
Chris Knechel – King’s College
Chris Nunn – Glenville State University
Mark Stout – California State University,Sacramento
Kyle Johnson – Benedict College

Quarterback
Dale Fink – Sacred Heart University
Dixie Wooten – UTEP

Running Back
Ryan Leafey – Rowan University

Wide Receiver
Irani DeAraujo – University of Albany
John Halman – Concordia College/NFL-Redskins
Jeff Willis – Langston University
Aaron Higdon – University of Charleston

Tickets for the current weeks game are still available but going fast. DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO GET A FIRST HAND LOOK AT YOUR 2012 STEELHAWKS! Tickets can be purchased by calling the Steelhawks front office at 610-282-3100, via the Steelhawks Website (www.lvsteelhawks.com), or by visiting the Stabler Arena Box Office at 124 Goodman Drive in Bethlehem. For further information on the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks please contact Executive Vice President Mike Clark at 610-282-3100.

Season ticket packages, starting as low as $8 per game, are still available but great seats are limited so reserve your seats close to the action and call the team’s front office at 610-282-3100. Don’t miss out on the fun and exciting atmosphere that is Steelhawks Professional Indoor Football!

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Filed under Noise Nation-Dan, Steel Hawks

March 5, 2012 · 12:41 pm

Opening Day Notes, Raffles & Excitement!

The Steelhawk’s home opener is soon upon us!

This Sunday, March 11th at 4:00pm the Steelhawks will kick off their home season in style! Coming off of a tough loss, the Hawks now sport a .500 record at 1-1!

While more details of the team are to come… I want to give you a sneak preview of what the Noise Nation and Steelhawk’s Booster Club have planned.

First, the Steelhawk’s love noise. Lot’s of Noise. We proved the home field advantage noise last season with crowd noise causing 12 opposing team false starts in one game alone! (There were 3 in a row at one point)

So in that thinking, the Booster club will have Horns, Bells and Beads for sale for the dedicated Steelhawk’s fans. All proceeds go to support the players!

Another great thing is the Booster club raffle! The Booster Club has obtained an official, authentic (It’s a real one) Lehigh Valley Steelhawks helmet that will be autographed by the entire 2012 team!

It’s going to be a good time! The Steelhawk’s encourage you to get there early and tailgate. Come out and support our team!

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March 4, 2012 · 9:00 pm

STEELHAWKS UPENDED BY TITANS

Bethlehem, PA: The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (1-1) suffered their first loss on the young 2012 IFL season Saturday night in front of a sold out crowd in Cedar Rapids, Iowa falling 32-13 at the hands of the Titans. With a defensive battle for most of the first half, the Steelhawks offense was able to move the ball up and down the field however was unable to punch it into the endzone for those much needed points.

The Titans (1-0), playing their first regular season game in franchise history, were able to take the momentum of a raucous pregame celebration and turn that into points. A failed onsides kick to start the game gave Cedar Rapids excellent field position, and Runningback Travis Rhone was able to march in from three yards out for the games first score.

The Steelhawks first points came on their next possession as Virginia Tech product Chris Hazley, playing in his first indoor game, booted a 31 yard field goal, however the Titans answered back with yet another touchdown on a long 45 yard strike from Quarterback Willie Copeland to Everett Roberts.

In the second quarter the Steelhawks were able to cut the lead to 13-10 when Quarterback Dixie Wooten was able to elude the rush and find Wide Receiver Jeff Willis in the back of the endzone for a spralling touchdown catch.

A second scoring strike from Copeland to James Terry followed by another Hazley field goal had the score 19-13 with five seconds left in the half when things got interesting. The Steelhawks lined up for another Hazley field goal to end the half, which was blocked by a Titans defender. The ball was then scooped up and fallen on by Cedar Rapids. The Steelhawks field goal unit believed that multiple players touched him down to end the half, however the Titans player got up and ran into the endzone resulting in a touchdown, and the Titans were up 26-13 in the blink of an eye.

Neither teams offense came out strong in the second half with only a Copeland to Johnny Gray touchdown recorded for points making the final score 32-13.

“It wasn’t our best performance,” stated Head Coach Chris Thompson. “We have to sure up some things on offense because 13 points is not going to win you many football games in this league. We are going to rebound after this, and the best part is we have two straight games in front of our home crowd to get things back on track. The season is very early, and we are confident in our team.”

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March 3, 2012 · 10:20 pm

Elizabeth “Betty” Daniels 1939-2012

Elizabeth Betty Ann Daniels, 73 years, of Allentown, passed away February 23, 2012 at the home of her son in Schuylkill Haven. She was the widow of Harry F. Muggs Daniels. Born in Syracuse, NY, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and A. Elizabeth (Frye) Weller. She worked for the Iron Pigs as a sales clerk for the past four years. Prior to that, she worked for Lehigh Valley Hospital in data processing and as a tech aid. Betty was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Fogelsville for many years.

We all have fond memories of Betty and she put the DiPro on my first IP Jersey. Most of all we’ll remember Betty for her kindness and caring. One could instantly tell Betty took pride in her work and always brought a warm smile and friendly atmosphere to the Clubhouse Store.

We’ll miss you Betty!

DiPro’s Dish

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Filed under DiPro's Dish, Lehigh Valley IronPigs

March 2, 2012 · 12:46 pm

You Might Be an IronPigs Fan if…

In honor of National Pig Day, and with all due credit to Mr. Foxworthy…

You Might Be an IronPigs Fan if…

…You’ve already taken a red Sharpie to your 2012 magnet schedule, to adjust for the SWB “road” games.

…You’ve got a whole pile of hats, or,

If your one IronPigs hat looks like this:

…You’ve always got a Channel 69 koozie handy.

…You’ve imported the IronPigs home schedule into your calendar as “unavailable.”

…The IronPigs app is on the first page of your iPhone. Right next to the Bypass app and the MiLB app.

…You can finish this sentence: “Swing it like…”

…You DON’T refer to the 200 and 300-level at Coca Cola Park as “the upper deck.”

…You remember where you were when Michael Taylor hit for the cycle.

…You remember where you were when the IronPigs beat Pawtucket to clinch the first round of the Governor’s Cup playoffs in 2011.

…You remember what day it was when the IronPigs first posted a record above .500

…You remember when the mascots looked more like pigs and less like llamas.

…You can say “porking spaces” without laughing like Beavis.

…You’ve purchased an AM radio specifically to listen to 1230 or 1320.

…You remember oinKKKK.

…You’ve got IronPigs “art” hanging on the wall in your house.

…You’ve got an IronPigs yard sign. From last year.

…You’ve got an IronPigs media guide on your nightstand. From 2010.

…You know who Bill Butler is. And Jan Giejda.

…You’re always willing to help Tim Chorones sing a song…even if singing’s not your thing.

…You see Allied Personnel Services yard signs and instinctively stand up and remove your hat.

…You tell people that your bobblehead collection is “an investment.” Then you laugh hysterically.

…You know that National Pig Day is a real thing, and not just something the marketing department came up with.

…You’re pretty sure a strikeout ISN’T just like any other out.

…You know that, “HAMBONE IN THE LEAD” means he’s not going to win.

…You can name The Most Interesting Man in Baseball.

…You can’t watch fireworks without thinking about the hotel industry.

…You’re not sure how much education happens on “education day.”

…You know about the balloons and the bubbles.

…I say “Run, Richie, Run” and you know who I’m talking about.

…You’re pretty sure the name of the poem is “Tracy at the Bat.” And that the ending is wrong.

…You know that all the pretzels aren’t the same—and you know where to find the good ones.

…You know that the bunt sign often comes in from section 108, rather than the dugout.

…You don’t count on the sign in right field at Coca Cola Park to know what the lottery prize really is.

Can you think of more? Add them in the comments!

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Filed under Kram's Korner - From the Club Level, Lehigh Valley IronPigs

March 1, 2012 · 9:03 pm

Steelhawks Sign One, Back on the Road

The Steelhawks have re-signed Isiejah Allen.

Allen, a5’11” Defensive Back from Fordam, spent the end of last season with the Steelhawks recording 2 interceptions and 33 tackles.

With their new signing the Steelhawks head out on the road for their second game of the 2012 season!

Bethlehem, PA: The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks head back to the Mid-West for the second time in as many weeks as they take on the Cedar Rapids Titans in Iowa this Saturday night. The game will mark the first regular season contest in franchise history for the Titans, who have assembled a team full of indoor veterans.

The Titans (0-0) will be hosting their first regular season game in their young existence when the Steelhawks come to play. Last week they hosted an exhibition contest against the Omaha Beef, falling 25-12. Look for the Titans to start Veteran IFL Quarterback Willie Copeland behind center. He will have a wealth of talent at the Wide Receiver position as well with Former Sioux Falls Storm pass catcher James Terry along with local talent Johnny Gray.

The Steelhawks (1-0) will look to build on their positive outcome last week against the Chicago Sluaghter by taking down the Titans. In the 30-28 victory, Running back Ryan Leafey scampered for 68 yards on ten carries, and added a score. Defensively, Marvin Johnson’s performance gained him league recognition as the IFL’s Defensive Player of the Week for Week One. He recorded six tackles, and interception, and fumble recovery, and scored a defensive Touchdown on a blocked field goal. The Steelhawks Offense will be key in this game, as they hope to put more points on the board.

Kickoff is slated for 7:05 p.m. (CST). For those who wish to view the game online, please visit http://www.b2livetv.com and look up the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks under the “TEAMS” Section. Fans unable to watch the games live can purchase a season viewing pass. Steelhawks 2012 home games will be broadcast live on Service Electric TV2 Sports.

The Steelhawks return to the Lehigh Valley for their Home Opener, on Sunday, March 11th at 4 p.m. to square off against the Bloomington Edge. Tickets for the game are still available and can be purchased by calling the Steelhawks front office at 610-282-3100, via the Steelhawks Website (www.lvsteelhawks.com), or by visiting the Stabler Arena Box Office at 124 Goodman in Bethlehem. For further information on the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks please contact Executive Vice President Mike Clark at 610-282-3100.

Season ticket packages, starting as low as $8 per game, are still available but great seats are limited so reserve your seats close to the action and call the team’s front office at 610-282-3100. Don’t miss out on the fun and exciting atmosphere that is Steelhawks Professional Indoor Football!

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Filed under Noise Nation-Dan, Steel Hawks

March 1, 2012 · 12:06 pm

IronPigs Star on NBC Sitcom!

I have to admit that I’ve never seen this show. I was a fan of That 70’s Show and saw a post this morning that caught my eye. Two of That 70’s show stars have a new sitcom (well one of them is a guest star for this episode) so when I saw Fez sporting an IronPig’s jacket I really paid attention. I won’t spoil the outcome of the show but have linked the video below. (Note- there are some commercials and there is a slight Brian Gordon twist to the story)

For those who are wondering who the IronPigs are.. look here – Who are the IronPigs.

http://www.nbc.com/assets/video/5-0/swf/DirectWidget.swf?CXNID=1000004.10045NXC&widID=49d06ba1523528c3&configXML=http://www.nbc.com/service/videowidget/params/dmlkZW9faWQ9MTM4ODE2Nw==/%3FpageURL%3Dunknown%26referrerURL%3Dunknown

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Filed under Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Noise Nation-Dan