Evansville BlueCats
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| Evansville BlueCats | |
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| Founded | 2003 |
| League | UIF 2005-2007 |
| Team History | Evansville BlueCats 2003-2007 |
| Arena | Roberts Municipal Stadium |
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| Based in | Evansville, Indiana |
| Team Colors | Blue & Orange |
| President | Ed, Ann, John & Tara Voliva |
| Head Coach | John Hart |
| Championships | 0 |
| Division Titles | 0 |
| Cheerleaders | Adults, Junior Blues, Baby Blues |
| Mascot | T.D. Fiddler |
The Evansville BlueCats are a professional indoor football team. They are a member of the United Indoor Football Association (UIF). 2007 was the 5th season for the Evansville BlueCats, based in Evansville, Indiana. On August 1st, 2007, the owners of the team announced that the team is officially for sale and will cease all operations.
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[edit] Location
Evansville is located along the Ohio River in southwest Indiana. The BlueCats play their home games at Roberts Municipal Stadium. The stadium seating capacity when configured for Evansville BlueCats football is 11,310.
[edit] The Name BlueCats
According to the team, the proper and official way to spell the team name, Evansville BlueCats, is with a capital "C" in the word BlueCats. Evansville is a River City and The BlueCat, part of the Catfish family, is the largest fish found in the Ohio River, often growing to over 100 pounds. Blue Catfish are particularly known for the strength and endurance. The BlueCats mascot, T.D. Fiddler, is a giant, walking, kid-friendly Catfish that resembles the BlueCats logo.
[edit] Fans - Booster Club
The Evansville BlueCats Booster Club, also known as the “FinHeads”, is a unique organization within the ranks of the United Indoor Football family. The “FinHeads” are more than just a fan group, they are the only UIF Booster Club in the league that is registered with the government and is classified as a 501c non-profit organization. The Booster Club has a written Mission Statement and Code of By Laws, as well as a Board of Directors with elected officers. The Club raises their funds through membership dues, Booster Club sponsorships, and half pot drawings at BlueCats home games.
[edit] Cheerleaders
The Evansville BlueCats have three cheerleader/dance teams organized by age. The Baby Blues and Junior Blues are for children and the Evansville BlueCats professional cheerleading team is made up of adults. The adult cheerleaders won the NIFL "Best Dance Team" award in back-to-back seasons in 2003 and 2004, and are known around the league and around the country as one of the elite cheer/dance programs in minor league sports.
[edit] The 2006 Season
In 2006, the Evansville BlueCats got off to a slow start (1-4) but rebounded in the second half of the season to win 4 of their last 5 games of the regular season and clinch a playoff berth for the second consecutive season. Evansville earned the #5 seed in the UIF playoffs. The team continued their late season surge in the playoffs and claimed an impressive 37-15 road win over the Omaha Beef in the first round. Evansville lost by only 6 points, 32-26, to the #1 seed and unbeaten Sioux Falls Storm in the UIF semi-finals. Sioux Falls went on to win the National Championship a week later.
[edit] Team History
John Hart took over as the head coach of the Evansville BlueCats prior to the 2006 season and led the team to their best season ever. Coach Hart was named as the UIF Coach of the Year "Honorable Mention" by the league following the 2006 season. Coach Hart also served as Head Coach in 2007.
[edit] Head Coaches
- John Hart (2006-2007)
- Ollie Guidry (2004-2005)
- Avery Atadero (2003)
[edit] Current Coaching Staff
- Head Coach - John Hart
- Assistant Coach - Jeff Long
- Assistant Coach - Kevin Kling
- Assistant Coach - Nick Hart
- Athletic Trainer - Del Nance
- Athletic Trainer - Sean Malone
- Athletic Trainer - Adam Harthcock
[edit] Season-by-season records
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties
| Season | W | L | T | Finish | Playoff results |
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| Evansville BlueCats (NIFL) | |||||
| 2003 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 6th Atlantic Eastern | -- |
| 2004 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 4th Atlantic North | -- |
| Evansville BlueCats (UIF) | |||||
| 2005 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 2nd South | Lost Round 1 (Lexington) |
| 2006 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 2nd East | Won Round 1 (Omaha) Lost Semifinal (Sioux Falls) |
| 2007 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 5th East | -- |
| Totals | 25 | 50 | 0 | (including playoffs) | |
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2007 Evansville BlueCats "Frozen" Roster
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Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Running Backs/Wide Receivers
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Offensive Linemen
Defensive Linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive Backs
Kicker
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Inactive Protected Reserve
Injury Exempt
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[edit] UIF Awards
2007 Season
In 2007, the following BlueCats players were recognized in the league season ending awards:
- UIF All-Star Team - Deion Holts - Defensive End
- UIF All-Star Team - John Winchester - Linebacker
- UIF All-Star Team - AJ Bryant - Defensive Back
Weekly Award Winners
- Defensive Player of the Week - Week 2 - LaDrelle Bryant - Defensive End
- Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 3 - Richard Johnson - Defensive Back/Kick Returner
- Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 4 - Richard Johnson - Defensive Back/Kick Returner
- Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 5 - Odest Shannon - Running Back/Kick Returner
- Offensive Player of the Week - Week 6 - Haven Mosley - Quarterback
- Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 6 - Richard Johnson - Defensive Back/Kick Returner
- Defensive Player of the Week - Week 11 - AJ Bryant - Defensive Back
- Defensive Player of the Week - Week 13 - Deion Holts - Defensive End
- Defensive Player of the Week - Week 14 - Hunter Pingston - Defensive Back
- Defensive Player of the Week - Week 15 - John Winchester - Linebacker
- Offensive Player of the Week - Week 16 - Dale Jennings - Running Back
- Defensive Player of the Week - Week 16 - AJ Bryant - Defensive Back
Weekly Award Winners "Honorable Mention"
- Special Teams Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 1 - Tez Morris - Defensive Back
- Special Teams Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 2 - Ton-Ton Luzayadio - Kicker
- Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 4 - AJ Bryant - Defensive Back
- Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 5 - Choo Choo Davis - Defensive Back
- Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 6 - Choo Choo Davis - Defensive Back
- Special Teams Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 8 - Tarron Acuff - Defensive Back/Holder
- Offensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 13 - Michael Cosey - Running Back
- Special Teams Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 13 - Dale Jennings - Running Back
- Special Teams Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 16 - Levron Williams - Wide Receiver
2006 Season
In 2006, the following BlueCats players were recognized in the league season ending awards:
- UIF Defensive Player of the Year "Honorable Mention" - John Winchester - Linebacker
- UIF Defensive Rookie of the Year - John Winchester - Linebacker
- UIF Special Teams Player of the Year "Honorable Mention" - Ton-Ton Luzayadio - Kicker
- UIF All-Star Team - First Team - John Winchester - Linebacker
- UIF All-Star Team - First Team - Ton-Ton Luzayadio - Kicker
- UIF Most Improved Player "Honorable Mention" - Joel Stubblefield - Offensive/Defensive Lineman
Weekly Award Winners
- Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 2 - Ton-Ton Luzayadio - Kicker
- Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 4 - Ton-Ton Luzayadio - Kicker
- Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 10 - Ton-Ton Luzayadio - Kicker
- Defensive Player of the Week - Week 15 - AJ Bryant - Defensive Back
Weekly Award Winners "Honorable Mention"
- Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 1 - John Winchester - Linebacker
- Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 2 - John Winchester - Linebacker
- Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 5 - John Winchester - Linebacker
- Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 7 - John Winchester - Linebacker
- Special Teams Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 7 - Levander Segars - Wide Receiver/Kick Returner
- Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 10 - Demoine Adams - Defensive End
- Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 12 - Vernon Turner - Safety
- Special Teams Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 14 - Ton-Ton Luzayadio - Kicker
2005 Season
In 2005, the following BlueCats players were recognized in the league season ending awards:
- UIF Defensive Player of the Year - Connie Brown - Linebacker
- UIF Defensive Rookie of the Year - Connie Brown - Linebacker
- UIF All-Star Team - First Team - Doran Yilla - Offensive Line
Weekly Award Winners
- Offensive Player of the Week - Week 1 - Dale Jennings - Running Back
- Offensive Player of the Week - Week 3 - Sean Bennett - Wide Receiver
- Offensive Player of the Week - Week 6 - Odest Shannon - Running Back
- Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 9 - Erik Rockhold - Kicker
- Offensive Player of the Week - Week 11 - Ramon Robinson - Quarterback
- Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 15 - Odest Shannon - Running Back/Kick Returner
- Defensive Player of the Week - Week 17 - Connie Brown - Linebacker
- Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 17 - Erik Rockhold - Kicker
The UIF did not give "Honorable Mention" honors in their weekly awards for the 2005 season.
UIF Player of Week Award Fact
Since the UIF was formed prior to the 2005 indoor football season, no other team in the UIF has had more players earn Player of the Week awards than the Evansville BlueCats professional indoor football team. BlueCats players have been honored as Player of the Week or Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" a UIF league record 41 times.
[edit] References
- Also see: Sports in Evansville.
[edit] External links
- Official Team Website - The complete source for information on the Evansville BlueCats.
- Official League Website
- Official Booster Club Website
- UIFans - United Indoor Fans
- BlueCats' 2003 Stats
- BlueCats' 2004 Stats
- BlueCats' 2005 Stats
- BlueCats' 2006 Stats
- BlueCats' 2007 Stats
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