Green Bay Blizzard Handle Cedar Rapids Titans,67-47, In Preseason Opener

Play defense and run the ball. Those were the two main staples of the Green Bay Blizzard in 2012. If Thursday night's preseason game against the Cedar Rapids Titans is any indication they will again be the main staples of the 2013.
The Blizzard defeated the Cedar Rapids Titans 67-47 on Mediacom Field at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena Thursday Night. The Blizzard rushed for six touchdowns, scored a defensive touchdown on one of the first plays of the game, and led the entire game.
The Cedar Rapids Titans came into the game sporting a new look from 2012. Headed by new Head Coach Mark Stoute, as well as several former Blizzard players including RB LaRon Council, WR Bryan Pray, WR Desmond Tardy and LB Trevor Glomski the Titans looked to try finally end their losing streak against the Blizzard.
Green Bay, again led by two-time IFL Coach of the Year, Robert Fuller, got off to an incredibly hot start as LB Derek Earls recovered a Cedar Rapids fumble for a touchdown on the Titans first drive. Earls then recovered another Titans fumble on their next possession setting up a short field for RB Joshua Murray to give the Blizzard an early 13-0 lead.
The Blizzard never looked back and never trailed throughout the game. Murray would again score in the first quarter, his second of three touchdowns on the night, and help give the Blizzard a 27-14 lead going into the second quarter.
The Blizzard would continue to pile on the points in the second quarter as RB Joel Yogerst, WR Justin Williams, RB Levell Coppage all scored touchdowns and helped give the Blizzard a 47-33 lead at halftime. The Blizzard's 47 points at halftime would have tied a franchise record had the game been a regular season game.
Both teams defenses stiffened in the third quarter as neither team found the endzone. Both teams forced each other to turn the ball over on downs deep into each other's territory. The Blizzard then added three more touchdowns in the fourth quarter and were able to hold off the Titans.
The Blizzard's three headed rushing attack of RB Joshua Murray, RB Levell Coppage and RB Joel Yogerst combined for five rushing touchdown. Murray and Coppage each finished the night with two touchdowns while Yogerst added another one.

Cedar Rapid Titans Announce 2013 Broadcast Partners

The Titans announced Monday that Cedar Rapid's 95.7 WMT FM and Mediacom's MC22 will return as the team's broadcast partners for the 2013 season. 95.7 WMT FM will be the official radio home for all 2013 Titans home and away games including the Titans preseason game this Thursday against the Green Bay Blizzard at Mediacom Field. Local radio personalities Jon Swisher and Dan Egger will split play by play duties. Jared Aarons will do color commentary for Titans home games. Each broadcast will include a pregame and postgame show along with halftime interviews. WMT also plans on having the broadcasts available on the station's website http://www.600wmt.com.
All 2013 Titans home games will be televised on Mediacom's MC22. The taped delayed broadcasts will be aired Sunday evenings at 7pm the Sunday following each Titans home game. The first broadcast will air Sunday, February 10th and will be a replay of the Titans/Blizzard matchup, Rob Brooks and Jerry Kiwala will handle the broadcast duties.
MC22 also announced the return of "Titans Extra", a weekly half hour program hosted by Rob Brooks, Titans head coach Mark Stoute, and Titans co-owner & general manager Chris Kokalis. The show will feature highlights from the previous week's game and include interviews with Titans players. Check local listings for show air times.
The first live football action of the season takes place this Thursday night when the Titans take on the Green Blizzard at Mediacom Field inside the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena in a preseason matchup. Kickoff is at 7:05pm. It's a Heart of Gold Night as the Titans partner with the American Heart Association to raise funds as part of heart month. One lucky fan will walk away with $1000 cash and $5 from every ticket sold (excluding bleachers) will be donated to the Heart Association. Special tickets prices are available for this game only with bleacher seats on sale for $10 and all other sections for $15.

Cedar Rapids Tuesday Tonight & Titans Preseason Football Thursday

Before the Cedar Rapids Titans take Mediacom Field at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena for the first time this season, they are inviting fans to kick off Titans Tuesday TONIGHT at the Butcher Block in Cedar Rapids.
Tonight from 4:30 pm until 6 pm, join Titans fans, friends, and family and have an opportunity to meet and mingle with Titans coaches, players, Dolls, and staff. We will also be registering to win tickets to all Titans home games in February as well as prizes from the Titans and the Butcher Block.
After tonight, Titans Tuesday will continue on the first Tuesday of each month during the season (February - June) at the Butcher Block, 1117 1st Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, from 4:30 pm - 6 pm.
THEN it's all about Titans Indoor Professional Football! This Thursday night, February 7th, it's a preseason match-up as the Titans take on the Green Bay Blizzard at Mediacom Field inside the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. Kickoff is at 7:05pm.
It's also Heart of Gold Night as the Titans partner with the American Heart Association to raise funds as part of heart month. One lucky fan will walk away with $1000 cash and $5 from every ticket sold (excluding bleachers) will be donated to the Heart Association. Special tickets prices are available for this game only with bleacher seats on sale for $10 and all other sections for $15.
Be sure to visit the St Luke's Family Fun Zone before the game in the lobby starting at 5:30 pm with FREE inflatable bounce house, face painting, clown, activities by Macaroni Kid, band, and more! If you are a season ticket holder and have not yet picked up your season tickets, they will be available at the Will Call table Thursday evening at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.

Cedar Rapids Titans to Hold Super Bowl Party Benefiting Habitat for Humanity

This Super Bowl Sunday the Cedar Rapids Titans will be continuing their mission of giving back to the community. The Titans, along with Expressions Salon, Fitzgerald & Associates, Clarion Hotel and Diamond Limousine are teaming up to raise money for Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity.
The Titans will co-host the 2nd annual "Home Team Huddle" Super Bowl party Sunday, February 3rd beginning at 4:00pm at the 33rd Ave Bar & Restaurant located in the Clarion Hotel 525 33rd Ave. SW in Cedar Rapids.
The event is open to the public and football fans around the community are invited to come and watch the game with Titans players, coaches, and members of the Titans Dolls dance team. There will be food & drink specials throughout the evening including a special tailgate buffet. During the game there will be contests, autograph opportunities, raffles, and a chance to win some great prizes; including Habitat's grand prize of a weekend getaway to an NFL city next season! The goal of the event is to raise money for Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity. There is no cost to attend however donations will be collected throughout the evening for Habitat for Humanity. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity (CVHH) is a partnership of churches, businesses, individuals, organizations and families with limited resources that has a proven track record in addressing the need for affordable housing in the greater Cedar Rapids community. It is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), an ecumenical Christian housing organization committed to eliminating the world's substandard housing. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent homes alongside our homeowner (partner) families. Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor (sweat equity) into building their Habitat home and the homes of others. Habitat homes are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable zero-interest loans. Since Cedar Valley Habitat's founding in 1988, the organization has built or fully rehabilitated more than 100 homes in partnership with qualified families in need.
Fans looking for more information about the event can visit the Titans website www.cedarrapidstitans.com or call the Titans office at 319-730-6301. For more information about Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity visit www.cvhabitat.org/cvhfh . More information about Habitat's Home Team Huddle can be found at www.habitatfootball.com.

Cedar Rapids Titans Preseason Game Dedicated to Heart Disease Survivors

When the Cedar Rapids Titans take on the Green Bay Blizzard on Thursday, February 7th in a preseason game at Mediacom Field inside the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena the game won't just have special meaning to the Titans players looking to make the team's regular season roster. The game will also hold special meaning to the Titans organization as the team attempts to raise $15,000 for the American Heart Association.
The Titans announced this week that the team has partnered with the American Heart Association for the February 7th game in conjunction with the association's Heart month. Several unique activities will take place during the game including heart survivors walking out with Titans players during introductions, a silent auction, heart disease & stroke awareness throughout game, heart decals on Titans player helmets, and one lucky fan taking home $1,000 as part of the team's "Heart of Gold" promotion. All Titans fans are encouraged to wear red in honor of heart survivors. The most important aspect of the night is that $5 from each individual corner, sideline or VIP ticket sold for the game will be donated to the American Heart Association. The goal is to raise $15,000.
Statistics show that 2,150 people die from cardiovascular disease each day - about one death every 40 seconds.
In 2010, the American Heart Association set a goal to improve cardiovascular health for all Americans by 20 percent and reduce heart disease and stroke deaths 20 percent by 2020.
However, according to projections in a 2013 report, heart health may only improve by 6 percent if current trends continue. The biggest barriers to success are projected increases in obesity and diabetes, and only modest improvements in diet and physical activity. On a positive note, smoking, high cholesterol and high blood pressure rates are projected to decline.
Among heart disease and stroke risk factors, the most recent data shows:
More adults age 20 and over are obese (34.6 percent) than normal or underweight (31.8 percent); 68.2 percent are overweight or obese. Among children ages 2-19, 31.8 percent are overweight or obese. Thirty-two percent of adults report no aerobic activity; 17.7 percent of girls and 10 percent of boys, grades 9-12, report fewer than an hour of aerobic activity in the past week. 13.8 percent of adults have total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL or higher.
Special ticket prices are available for the February 7th game. Tickets are $10 for bleachers and $15 for all other sections in the arena including sideline, corner, and VIP. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com or in person at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena box office Monday thru Friday from 9am-5pm.
For more information on the game or on the Titans, visit www.cedarrapidstitans.com. For more information on the Cedar Valley area American Heart Association regional office visit www.heart.org.

Cedar Rapids Titans Announce Final 2013 Open Player Tryout

The Cedar Rapids Titans announced Friday that the final open tryout for the 2013 team will take place on Saturday, January 12th and Sunday, January 13th. The tryout will take place at the Titan's multi-use sports facility, the Eastern Iowa Sports Complex located at 1100 N 18th Ave. in Hiawatha, IA. Registration and warm-up will begin at 5:00am with the tryout starting at 6:00am on Saturday. Tryouts will continue on Sunday beginning at 6:00 am and ending at 8:00am. All players trying out should be available both dates.
The registration fee to tryout is $65 (cash or credit card only) and includes a t-shirt. Housing is available for players traveling in from out of town at the Hometown Inn & Suites 3315 Southgate Ct SW in Cedar Rapids. The cost for housing is $25 per night and includes a continental breakfast.
Participants must be at least 18 years of age and be prepared to be evaluated in the following drills: 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle, bench press, four cone drill, standing broad jump, agility drills, position-specific drills and 7-on-7. Kickers will be evaluated on kickoff and field goal proficiency.
More information is available at www.cedarrapidstitans.com.

Titans Add Veteran IFL Coach To 2013 Coaching Staff

Titans head coach Mark Stoute announced Monday that veteran Indoor Football League coach, Sean Ponder will serve as the team's assistant head coach for the 2013 season.
Ponder has 13 years of coaching experience at the professional level, nine years as a head coach. His experience comes from both the Arena Football League and the Indoor Football League. Ponder has spent time with the Fairbanks Grizzlies, Omaha Beef, and most recently the Everett Raptors for the past two seasons.
Along with his coaching experience, Ponder was a former college football quarterback at Emporia State where he earned NCAA Div II All American honors to go along with two years of professional football playing experience. As a coach, Ponder has sent 42 players to the AFL, CFL and NFL combined with eight playoff appearances and four division championships.
To go along with coach Ponder's on field accomplishments, he is also heavily involved in supporting local community programs and charities. Coach Ponder has also been a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for over 21 years.

Mark Stoute Introduced as Titans 2013 Head Coach

The Cedar Rapids Titans entering their 2nd season in the Indoor Football League introduced Mark Stoute as the team's head coach for the 2013 season. Stoute comes to the Titans after spending the past two seasons as the assistant head coach and director of player personnel for the Mil waukee Mustangs of the Arena Football League. Prior to his time with the Mustangs, Stoute spent two seasons with the Green Bay Blizzard, where he was the assistant head coach and director of player personnel. In both 2006 and 2008, he helped lead the Blizzard to a Division Championship and a trip to the ArenaCup in 2006. In 2007 he spent one season as the Laredo Lobos head coach before returning to Green Bay. Prior to his stint with Green Bay, he served as the fullback/linebackers coach and special team's coordinator for the Tampa Bay Storm of the AFL in 2005 and spent 2004 as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the Indiana Firebirds of the AFL.
He was named the head coach of the Manchester Wolves in 2003 where he took a team that won just three games the previous season and turned it into a postseason threat, sending the franchise to its first trip to the postseason after finishing 10-6. He was the director of football operations and player personnel for the New England Sea Wolves in 1999 and followed the franchise when it moved to Toronto and became the Phantoms. He was named the Phantoms' head coach and general manager in 2001 and led them to a 13-15 record over two seasons, including an Eastern Division Championship in 2001.
He began his coaching career in 1995 when he was offered a job with the Connecticut Coyotes as assistant defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach...earned his first coaching job in 1992 when he was hired to work with special teams for Southern Connecticut State University.
Offensive Coordinator Corey Bethany returns to the Titans coaching staff in 2013.. Bethany joined the team midway through the 2012 season. Prior to joining the Titans Bethany held the OC position with the Allen Wranglers and Nebraska Danger of the IFL.
Assistant coaches Eric George and Jeff Wrede will also rejoin the staff. The team plans to announce the Defensive Coordinator & Offensive/Defensive line coach later this month.
The Titans are coming off a 4-10 season in 2012. The 2013 regular season kicks off February 16th at 7:05pm when the Titans welcome conference rival Chicago Slaughter to Mediacom Field @ Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.

Cedar Rapids Titans to Host 2nd Annual "Stuff the Bus" to Tackle Hunger

For the 2nd straight year the Cedar Rapids Titans will put their focus on tackling hunger throughout Eastern Iowa. The Titans will team up with Waypoint of Cedar Rapids, Cumulus Radio stations of Cedar Rapids, and Cedar Valley World Travel to host the 2nd annual "Stuff the Bus" on Wednesday, November 14, 2012.
Titans players, Titan Dolls, coaches and staff will be collecting non-perishable food items at the Walmart Supercenter located at 2645 Blairs Ferry Rd NE in Cedar Rapids from 6:00am - 6:00pm in an effort to stuff a Cedar Valley coach bus full of food items to help those in need this holiday season. Cumulus stations will be on location throughout the day broadcasting live.
"Last year we collected nearly 400 pounds of food and that was a huge testament of the generosity of this community. As the holiday season approaches there are many families who don't have the means to put a meal on their table. We want to make sure every family is able to celebrate & enjoy the holidays," said Chris Kokalis, Titans co-owner and general manager.
Fans in the community will have the opportunity to meet and receive autographs from the players & dolls. Cash donations will also be accepted on the day of the event.
Waypoint's mission is to strengthen and empower individuals who are homeless, living in poverty, or victims of domestic or sexual violence; and to help children gain the essential skills vital to reaching their full potential. Waypoint provides shelter and support for those in crisis due to homelessness, poverty, domestic violence or sexual assault. It also provides quality child care to over 600 children daily of all socio-economic levels.

Cedar Rapids Titans To Introduce 2013 Head Coach Thursday

The Cedar Rapids Titans have scheduled a 3:00pm news conference for Thursday, November 8, 2012 at the Butcher Block Steakhouse located at 1117 First Ave SE In Cedar Rapids. The team will introduce the 2013 coaching staff including the head coach, coordinators, and assistants. The news conference is open to members of the media and Titans fans & sponsors. Titan's players & front office staff including the team's general manager/co owner Chris Kokalis along with other team owners will also be on hand. Complimentary refreshments will be available courtesy of Butcher Block Steakhouse.

Cedar Rapids Titans to Give Back During Grand Opening Weekend

The Cedar Rapids Titans announced details today about the grand opening celebration for the Eastern Iowa Sports Complex, the Hiawatha multi purpose sports complex the team announced earlier this month. The grand opening weekend will be in conjunction with the Titans 2nd annual coat drive. For the 2nd straight year the team will be partnering with the Salvation Army of Cedar Rapids to collect coats for families in need for the upcoming fall and winter. The coat drive/grand opening weekend will take place Friday, September 7th to Sunday, September 9th at the Eastern Iowa Sports Complex located at 1100 N 18th Avenue in Hiawatha. The drive will begin at 7:30am on Friday and continue throughout the weekend until 6:00pm on Sunday.
Grand opening celebration events will take place throughout the weekend including free mini golf for anyone making a donation on Friday at Titans mini golf. A teen dance presented by I107.1 for youth ages 14-19 will take place Friday evening beginning at 8pm. Admission is $3 with a Facebook RSVP and $5 at the door.
On Saturday an Iowa/Iowa State post game party will be held for all ages presented by Fleck Sales. The party will feature food & drink specials and live music throughout the night. Torchlight Parade takes the Miller Lite stage at 6pm with Greenbrier performing at 8pm. The fun kicks off at 5pm with giveaways throughout the night.
The grand opening weekend concludes Sunday from 11am-6pm with the 104.5 KDAT Family Day. Activities for the entire family will be on hand including inflatable's, games, facepainting, and live entertainment including a performance by the Titan Dolls. Food & beverages will also be available. Titans players will be on hand to sign autographs throughout the day.
New or lightly used coats of any size and style will be accepted. Coats collected will be donated and distributed by the Salvation Army. The team will have a convenient drive-up service for those dropping off coats.
"We could not be more excited about this year's coat drive," said Chris Kokalis, Titans & Eastern Iowa Sports Complex co-owner and general manager. "We exceeded our goal last year collecting over 250 coats and this year are shooting for 400. We are also excited about showcasing our community based facility and celebrating the kickoff of the football season."
Titans Mini Golf will be open all weekend long throughout the event. All events are open to the public.
Local businesses are also encouraged to participate and the Titans will have someone come to that business to collect the coats the day of the coat drive. To have your business participate or for more information about the event call the Titans office at 319-730-6301 or visit www.cedarrapidstitans.com.