The Lake County Steelers are looking for a few good men...or women to be part of the Steeler program this year. The Steelers, Indianas second oldest Minor League Football team are currently accepting applications for both players and Coaches.
This year the Steelers are being lead by new Head Coach Don Gambrel, a Former Steeler player who was inducted into the Minor League Football News Hall of Fame as well as the American Football News Hall of Fame in 2011. Coach Gambrel is excited to lead the Steelers into the 2012 Campaign and has already scheduled the Steelers to play 5 preseason games before the MidStates Football League begins in July.
"My Goal is to get our players ready to play in one of the Toughest Leagues in the Nation" Coach Gambrel stated. "I have played and Coached in the MidStates since 2000, and while there are some great teams all across the Nation, but the MidStates have sent teams to play in Florida for a National Championship almost every season since 2006, and I dont know of any other league that is the same size of the MSFL that can say the same thing"
The Steelers will play all of their home games at Willowcreek Middle School (Trumbull Field) on Saturday nights starting with their first game June 16th against the Indianapolis Destroyers. All Home Games will start at 5pm.
"Right now we are accepting applications for every position and I mean every position" said Gambrel. We have some very talented returning players but I know that to be the best, you have to play the best and if a 18 year old kid who just got out of high school can play the spot better than our 24 year old veteran then trust me, I play the 18 year old.
The Steelers will be having thier first outdoor practice/combine on Saturday March 24th from 11am-1pm at the Portage High School Freshman practice field. This practice is open to any person who is interested in trying to earn a spot on the Steeler Roster. The Steelers are also still interviewing Coaches for Offense, Defense and are looking for a Special Teams Coordinator. Anyone intersted in either playing or Coaching are encourage to go to the Steeler Website and fill out a application.
The only requirement to tryout or Coach for the Steelers is you must be 18 years or older and be available to practice 2 times a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays 6pm-8pm starting in April). While the Steelers have never had a female on their team, the MidStates have had women on teams rosters who have played at both the Quarterback and Kicker positions and the Steelers are willing to give anyone a chance to earn a spot on their 2012 roster.
As for experience needed....There is none. "I believe that everyone has to start somewhere and trust me, in all my years of being part of Minor League Football, some of the best players I have played with, against or Coached are players who never played the game before and some of these players have played the game better than some of the X-NFL players that step on the Field" said Gambrel.
If you are intersted in learning more about the Lake County Steelers visit the Steeler website: www.lakecountysteelers.net or call Coach Gambrel 219-608-8628