Bethlehem, PA: The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks, along with Velocity Sports Performance at Game Time Fieldhouse and Domino’s Pizza, are proud to announce the unveiling of a new program for the 2014 season, the Steelhawks Jr. Football League or the SJFL. This league aims to give local youth football teams the opportunity to learn more about the indoor arena football game by providing a league that follows that same style of play. All games will take place during the Steelhawks spring PIFL season and will be played inside Stabler Arena.
The league’s Founding Partner is Velocity Sports Performance at Game Time Fieldhouse, who is also the Official Strength and Conditioning Coaches for the Steelhawks. The two organizations will be bringing the indoor arena football experience to the Valley’s youth by offering a full contact, tackle football league using an arena format. Two divisions, 3rd-4th and 5th-6th grades, of tackle football teams will now be able to enjoy the excitement of indoor arena football during this inaugural season.
Domino’s Pizza is the first Sponsoring Partner of the SJFL. The participating Lehigh Valley Domino’s locations are devoted to the growth, and development of our area’s youth programs, and will be offering many additional discounts to participating families. In addition, they will also be offering the 50 point challenge for all Steelhawk home and away games for the 2014 season once again. Any time the Steelhawks score 50 points during the season, participating Domino’s locations in the Lehigh Valley will be offering a special discount on regularly priced pizzas.
Games will take place morning and early afternoons of selected Steelhawk home games. Players must register as part of a team with a designated coach (individuals may contact the league to register as an individual). There is a $125 fee per player that includes a customized team jersey, a Steelhawk General Admission season ticket, a scheduled team session with Velocity Sports Performance, and a reserved spot at the SJFL skills camp at Game Time Fieldhouse. Each team will play a minimum of 4 regular season games in Stabler Arena. There will be a regular season champion based on best record, as decided by pre-determined tie breakers if needed.
For all registered team coaches, there will be a pre-season information seminar that will go through all relevant league information and schedules. Steelhawk coaches and staff will also be conducting a short SJFL 101 crash course on the rules and procedures of the league.
Each player will be receiving one Steelhawk General Admission Season Ticket. There is a Special Offer for SJFL families to purchase additional season tickets at a discounted price (price to be announced at a later date).
Co-League Director and Head Coach Chris Thompson has big plans for the SJFL, “We have achieved so much in three short seasons as a Professional Indoor football team and the Steelhawks Jr. Football League allows us to grow our style of football, to an even wider array of families and kids in the Lehigh Valley area. We are extremely excited to get this program up and running and can’t wait to watch the experiences families share by being a part of this new Jr. Football League. I have had many experiences over the years with youth programs and there is nothing like this experience out there that will be as fun and exciting for the kids as well as the parents watching.”
Similarly, Co-League Director and Game Day Coordinator Lauren Petri is just as excited to get the SJFL up and running, “We have been working hard to get the Jr. League ready to unveil as the latest Lehigh Valley Steelhawks program. I think it will be a great way for kids and families throughout the Lehigh Valley to learn more about arena football and experience firsthand how exciting it is to be a part of.”
To learn more about the SJFL visit http://www.lvsteelhawks.com/sjfl. If you have any questions please contact league directors Lauren Petri, lpetri@lvsteelhawks.com, or Chris Thompson, cthompson@lvsteelhawks.com.
The Steelhawks are already beginning the recruiting process for the 2014 season. The first open tryout for the 2014 season will be Sunday, November 24rd at Iron Lakes Sports Complex. Stay tuned for the Steelhawks to announce their 2014 PIFL game schedule, coming soon! Keep checking for the latest news and events from the Steelhawks! For further information please call Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Clark at (610) 282-3100, or visit our website at http://www.LVSteelhawks.com for the latest Steelhawks news!
Fans are reminded that 2014 season ticket deposits are being accepted now to reserve your seats for the 2014 PIFL season. You can reserve your seats by calling the Steelhawks front office at 610-282-3100. Ticket packages start as low as $48!
The Steelhawks are a PROFESSIONAL Arena Football team that plays in The Professional Indoor Football League. The PIFL (www.proifl.com) is a seven team league with franchises in six states. The league holds a 12-game regular season schedule that runs March through June. The PIFL’s playoffs culminate in late June with the PIFL Championship Cup. Season ticket packages start as low as $8 per game (or $48 for the full season) and games are an exciting event for people of the Lehigh Valley to attend on weekend nights.
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
This is really excellent news. I know it is something that the SteelHawks were interested in doing for some time, but were thwarted by the horrible Stabler Center based on….something. Or, nothing. It’s great to get the kiddos and the groups involved in the SteelHawks games. I hope the junior games are close enough in proximity so that I can catch a couple. Or, a short half-time exhibition?
I like their new pricing structure with upper bowl and lower bowl and all that. Details should be updated soon as the schedule gets announced this week, I think.