Franchise ResourcesHall of Fame Heart and Determination
Reggie Lawrence began his career in the IFL back in 1999 as the featured running back for the newly formed Milwaukee Raiders. The Raiders went undefeated in their inaugural season. Beating veteran teams like the Madison Seminoles, Pewaukee Warhawks, and Milwaukee Panthers guaranteed the team’s trip to Ironbowl III. There the Raiders promptly disposed of the Bayview Beast beating them 33-12 and earned their first ever Championship title. The victory was due in large part to the strong arm of quarterback Tom Roach and by the legs of running back Reggie Lawrence.
Lawrence quickly developed a reputation as a breakaway runner during his rookie year of 1999. He was not a big running back, but what he lacked in size he made up for with true heart and determination. Throughout his exceptional seven year career as the featured running back on five Ironbowl Championship teams, Reggie Lawrence established himself as one of the most feared ball carriers in the history of the Ironman Football League. His hard running opened the passing lanes for fellow Hall of Famer and teammate, Tom Roach. Lawrence was tough and was not afraid to play with pain, earning the nickname, “Mr. Dependable”.
Lawrence played for the Milwaukee Raiders from 1999 to 2001 where he made two Ironbowl appearances. In 2002, Lawrence and fellow teammate Tom Roach joined the Bayview Beast where the two won their second Ironbowl Championship. This time by defeating the National Conference Champion, Oostburg Rebels, in Ironbowl VI, 38-27. The following year the Bayview Beast packed their bags and opted to join a different league, but as always seems to be the case, the core of the team’s players chose to stay in the IFL even if their team decided to go elsewhere.
Legendary quarterback Tom Roach and seven other players including Lawrence joined the New Berlin Lunatics in 2003. As in the past, Lawrence’s running ability paved the way for the Lunatics as the team complied an impressive 9-1 record and defeated the Muskego Hitmen 19-0 in Ironbowl VII. The victory marked Lawrence’s third Championship and fourth overall Ironbowl appearance in just a five year span.
In 2005, Lawrence again teamed up with some former teammates and joined the Milwaukee Bulldogs. The Bulldogs were desperately still trying to win their first Ironbowl Championship after years of disappointment. Lawrence proved to be a contributing difference maker on offense for the Bulldogs as he pounded out another great season at the running back position. The Bulldogs compiled a spectacular 10-1 record which set the stage for in all out war against the Madison Seminoles in Ironbowl IX. The weather and field conditions for the game were miserable and Lawrence’s tough running through the mud helped the Bulldogs defeat the Seminoles in the lowest scoring Ironbowl to date, 3-0.
The following year the Bulldogs made their second Ironbowl appearance and won their first back to back Championship in franchise history by defeating the Verona Trojans 14-0 in Ironbowl X. The victory gave Lawrence his fifth Ironbowl Championship and sixth overall Ironbowl appearance. It also capped a career in which Lawrence established himself as one of the most respected and feared ball carriers in the history of the Ironman Football League.
IFL Hall of Fame alumni and various League representatives will welcome Lawrence and the rest of the Class of 2010 when they are officially honored during the halftime of the IFL Hall of Fame Game on Saturday, May 15, 2010. The 2010 IFL Hall of Fame Game, which pits the Muskego Hitmen versus the Milwaukee Venom, will kickoff at 7PM and will be played at the Milwaukee Sports Complex located at 6000 W. Ryan Road in Franklin, Wisconsin.
