There’s a new storm brewing in Waukesha
January 10 , 2008
Waukesha, WI – Semi-pro football has returned to Waukesha! The Ironman Football League has approved the move of the Cyclones franchise from Oak Creek to Waukesha. The team will now be known as the Spring City Cyclones, drawing their name from the city’s rich history of natural springs.
Team owner Dan Greene has been wanting to make the move for a couple of years now.
“I know the last teams to be based in Waukesha were somewhat of a success, if only briefly.” Greene said, referring to the now defunct IFL franchises Waukesha Beavers (1997) and Devils (1998 - 2003). “I feel that this community will enjoy this type of football. I have nothing but the highest aspirations for the relationship I’d like our team to have with the community. It is a good place for local athletes to live the dream of post-school football, whether it’ after a high school or college career, this is the league to do it in.” Greene continued, “Growing up here my whole life I have experienced first hand what high school football means to this area.
When you have legends like Jeff Trickey and Bill Young roaming the sidelines all the way up to today’s rising coaching stars like Steve Rux at West, Dave Rusch at South, and Tim Behrendt at North, you can't help but have a wealth of talent to draw from for years to come.
That’s what I envision for this team in the future. Right now we have talent from all over southeastern Wisconsin and even a couple guys from northern Illinois on this team.”
When asked what they thought of the move, here is what some of the other players had to say.
2007 All-Star guard Brad DeLaurier said,“Over the past two years I have really enjoyed playing with the Cyclones. I have gotten to know my teammates quite well and enjoyed going to battle with them. I'm really excited that the team made the move to Waukesha.
Waukesha is a great town made up of even better people and fans. I feel the Cyclones franchise will continue to grow and become an elite team with a homegrown feel in the IFL. Waukesha mostly gives us more of a place that we can call a permanent home. I believe that with the help of the community, through growing a fan base and attaining local sponsorship, we can become a prominent part of the cityscape.” DeLaurier continued,“I grew up, and still reside in Slinger. While I had opportunities to play for more local teams in other leagues, this team and league are the perfect fit for me.”
Another Cyclones veteran, Randy Noska, said this,“I think playing here during the summer and having the Cyclones based in Waukesha may feed the football fever in some of our young kids before their season starts.” Noska’s son Derek is a ball boy for the team and his teammates with the Junior Crusaders of Waukesha Catholic Memorial work the chain gang duties at many Cyclones games.
Collin Rodefer, a Cyclones rookie had this to say, “I'm looking forward to playing for the Cyclones in my hometown. I was born and raised here. With the exception of a couple years, I’ve lived here my whole life. It only seems natural to compete for my hometown team. I played for the Pewaukee Punishers for a short stint before they folded and it didn't seem right playing for another city. When you play for your hometown, everything seems natural and unforced. You take a lot more pride in what your doing and it helps you maintain composure in rough times when you are out there in front of your town. I think not playing for your hometown would be like going to war against your own country.”
The Cyclones are very happy to have secured two home games at Ken Hollub Stadium on the South High School campus. Greene recalled, “I remember playing there in my high school days while attending South and as a visitor my senior year for the Wolverines of West high school. The atmosphere there is truly one-of-a kind. The fans are right on top of you and the field is easily one of the best in this area. We were lucky enough to play there two years ago against the West Allis Predators. The turnout we had was awesome!”
The team will also play an additional home game at beautiful Schneider Stadium on Carroll College’s campus. The Cyclones have had good luck with local sponsors, even when they were still based in Oak Creek.
“We have been supported by Club 400, Mulligan’s Pub, Mutt’s, and formed other partnerships with Top Notch screen printers and Premier Body and Paint to name a few.”
In the future The Spring City club hopes to play all their home games at local venues such as Hollub Stadium and Kettle Moraine High School to name a few.
Both the IFL and Greene hope to entrench themselves into the community.
“We are planning a punt, pass, and kick competition for the local youth and the home game we will host on the third week of the season will be benefiting a charity yet to be selected. Our club was selected as the IFL Franchise of the Year in 2005 and that is something I want to get again. We make an annual trip to visit the kids at Children’s Hospital and have held a softball tournament to benefit the Salvation Army in years past. It’ those kinds of things that I think will win over a loyal fan base. When the community realizes we just aren't here taking the city’s name, that we are here for the long term and want to become a good influence, I feel everyone will benefit. It’s not about making money, it’s about providing quality family entertainment and a good example for others to follow.”
For those interested in learning more about the Spring City Cyclones,
visit their web site at www.springcitycyclones.com