 December 24, 2005 - The Ohio Valley Greyhounds of the United Indoor Football League (UIF) announced today their coaching staff for the upcoming 2006 season. Lou Stein, owner of the Greyhounds, announced that Mr. Mike Blackburn will serve as Head Coach of the Greyhound organization for the new season which begins in late March of 2006. Mr. Blackburn’s duties will also include serving as Offensive Line Coach. Mike Blackburn has played a very important role in the Greyhound organization for the past several years as both a player and a coach. .
“ I am very pleased and honored to have Mike Blackburn as our new head coach for the 2006 season” said Stein. “ Mike has distinguished himself with the Greyhounds over the past several years both on and off the field. As many know, on the field Mike has been a fierce and feared competitor for the Greyhounds as part of “The Big Uglies”. Then last season, after the Greyhounds got off to a slow start, Mike stepped in as Head Coach near mid-season to guide the Greyhounds into the playoffs.”.
As the new Head Coach, Mike Blackburn announced the following assistant coaches and consultants and their areas of responsibility:.
Assistant Coaches
Mark Bonar – Offensive Coordinator
Walt Skaggs – Defensive Coordinator
Lance Mehl - Linebacker & Secondary Coach
Jason Merryman - Player Recruitment
Field Consutants
Mike Sherwood
Gregg Bonar
John Magistro
BeBe Marinacci - Equipment manager
The Greyhounds 8th season begins Friday March 24, 2006 with an away game with the Lexington Horsemen in Lexington, Kentucky. Kickoff times for all of the Greyhound away games will be announced as soon as they are cleared and released by the home teams.
The Ohio Valley Greyhounds Home Opener is scheduled for Sunday, April 2, 2006 at 6:30 pm at WesBanco Arena against the Evansville Bluecats from Evansville, Indiana. The Greyhound organization has also announced that prior to all home games this year, all game ticket holders will be welcome Free of Charge to attend pre-game Tail Gate Parties which will begin in the afternoon prior to each game at WesBanco Arena. These parties will feature activities for the entire family including live entertainment from around the region, a pre-game pep rally, fun play activities for the kids, face painting for adults & children, photo-ops with Blitz the Mascot and other special guests, and lots of unannounced prizes and surprises. Also, during the Tail Gate Party, a unique menu of tailgate food and beverages will be available for purchase to all those attending.
The upcoming 2006 Greyhounds schedule is a 16-week regular season schedule which includes one bye week for each team in the league. The 16 week schedule runs through July 8, 2006, followed by the Conference Championships and the United Indoor Bowl the following three weeks.
Season tickets went on sale in late November to 2005 season ticket holders. Those 2005 season ticket holders have until December 31, 2005 to renew their tickets for 2006. After January 2, 2006 any 2005 season ticket seats that have either not been renewed or have not had a deposit put down on them will be released to new season ticket purchasers. The Greyhound office staff is currently keeping a waiting list on a first-come, first serve basis for new ticket subscribers. If you are a season ticket holder and have not received a renewal notice, please contact our office immediately at (304) 232-4101 and we will see that you are taken care of promptly.
Season ticket renewals are currently being reserved at the Wesbanco Arena Box Office (304-233-4470) at 2 Fourteenth Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 or through Ticket Master locations. New Season Tickets may be reserved by calling the Greyhound office (304-232-4101) or stopping into the Greyhound office at 1310 Market Street in Wheeling, WV.
Announcements will be released in the near future regarding the new Greyhound web site, the availability of great new Greyhound merchandise, our new Greyhound Booster Club, exciting half-time entertainment, bus trips to many of the away games, and other activities and events that you won’t want to miss. Anyone who may have any questions regarding the Ohio Valley Greyhounds may call the Greyhound office Monday through Friday between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm at (304) 232-4101. Go Greyhounds!
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