Saginaw Sting Invite 21 From Tryout To Camp

The Saginaw Sting held their second, and last, open try-out for the 2013 season roster this past Saturday. The try-out was held at the Perani Arena in Flint and over 40 prospects from across the country came to showcase their talents. Each player was physically tested in a number of drills put on by the Saginaw Sting staff.
Each player presented their skills in front of head coach Fred Townsend and his coaching staff. At the end of the day, 21 players were invited to training camp in January. This brings the training-camp total to 29 players competing for open roster spots during camp. The Sting also signed on two players, Nate Samas and Andre McCauley, to join the Sting roster for the 2013 season.
Nate Samas played quarterback in 2012 for the Evansville Rage. Fred Townsend reminisced on last year's season contest against the Rage. "When we played against him last year, I felt he was one of the top quarterbacks in the league. He is a dual threat, and he was the hardest quarterback to prepare for last year because of his ability to run."
Andre McCauley played for the Troy Fighting Irish in upstate New York, a member of the Northeastern Football Alliance. Playing as a receiver and running back for the Irish he went on to earn the NFA Sunshine Bowl Game MVP in 2011 and 2012. He will play with the Irish against the Western Michigan Force in the USFA National Championship Game January 19th, 2013 in Los Angeles, CA.
Coach Townsend was really excited to see Andre's performance at the try-out. "I believe he will be as exciting as C.J. Tarver on the field. He will be one of our top players this year, being utilized in many different positions. I can't wait to see him run the football."
The additional players invited to camp from the December 15th tryout include: Daryl Gooden, Antwon Simmons, James Falls, Calvin Pureifoy, Brant Brooks, Jeffrey Brush, Joe Makowski, Shuan Hladki, Ryan Kantola, Kyle Zabel, Ryan Janer, Jakendall Brown, Joshua Federspiel, James Bandy, Breck Chandler, Michael LeGrow, Damion Horton, Loren Wiechmann and David Akins.
This Sting's home opener is February 8th at The Dow Event Center with a 7:30PM kickoff. Single game tickets will go on sale January 3rd and start at only $10. Season tickets are on sale now and are available at The Dow Box Office or by calling 989.759.1330.

CIFL Acquired by Indoor Football Incorporated

The Saginaw Sting is proud to announce the acquisition of the Continental Indoor Football League by Indoor Football Incorporated. Indoor Football Incorporated, solely owned by the members of the Sting's ownership group (Stuart Schweigert, Robert Licht, and James O'Brien), came to terms with former CIFL Owner Jeff Spitaleri earlier this month.
"This is an exciting development for our league and for the future of the CIFL," said Spitaleri, "I look forward to working with the staff and board of directors as the league undergoes this great transformation."
The transformation was set in place immediately concluding the CIFL Championship victory by the Sting back on June 2nd. "We have talked at great lengths with the owners of all the current teams within the CIFL," said Robert Licht - Co-Owner of the Sting and Indoor Football Incorporated. "This move was made for the betterment of the entire league and not just our team. We want each team in the CIFL to be able to embrace the business plan we have developed here in Saginaw and be just as successful."
Success came in multiple ways for the Sting in 2012. After the local ownership group, which includes two local business owners and a former NFL player, acquired the rights to operate the Sting in late 2011 the local community began to take notice of significant changes. The Sting players attended multiple events, including assemblies and read-a-thons at local schools, and helped to raise awareness and proceeds for the Children's Miracle Network, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and several others. A special fundraising effort was set up to support a local critically injured soldier (Travis Mills, from Vassar) that netted the raising of over $13,000. Their undefeated season was capped off in front of a record-setting attendance of 3,851 fans at the CIFL Championship game. The following week the announcement was made that Hemlock High School were the recipients of new varsity football jerseys for showing their support to the Sting during the season.
"We want this league to become the premier indoor football league in the country," said Co-Owner and former NFL player Stuart Schweigert, "That begins with building a league that is full of solid, competitive teams from top to bottom."
"This move will provide the structure and stability needed to make the CIFL a viable entertainment option for both sponsors and fans," said Co-Owner James O'Brien, "Fans want solid organizations and sponsors will look to back teams that have great fan support. Currently underway is an assessment of the current standing of all teams within the CIFL and further expansion to new markets. Details regarding these negotiations are not available at this time; however, the future of the CIFL is bright."
The CIFL will begin its 8th consecutive season in February of 2013.