(January 21, 2009 Sioux City, IA) The Sioux City Bandits of the Indoor Football League are pleased to announce additional signings for the 2009 season announced today by Head Coach Jarrod DeGeorgia.

Kevin Richardson (RB, 6’0 215 lbs) Richardson played his collegiate football career as a running back for Appalachian State University, in Boone, North Carolina.  There, Richardson earned several notable achievements, including NCAA 3-time National Champions Football Championship Series (FCS).  While at ASU, Richardson was Appalachian’s All-time leader in career rushing yards, most rushing yards in a single season, highest career all-purpose yardage, most rushing touchdowns in a single season, and most career touchdowns.  He was also involved in handing the Michigan Wolverines a loss.  These are only a few of the football awards Richardson has under his belt, along with Humanitarian awards as well.

Marques Salmond (DL, 6’0, 280 lbs) Salmond will begin his first season with the Bandits in 2009, after playing 2 years for the Omaha Beef. The native of Sacramento, California played his college football at Missouri Western State University. In addition to the Beef, he has played for the Sioux Falls Storm.  Salmond comes to the Bandits as a result of a trade between the two teams.








Deyonte Batiste (DL, 6’2, 340 lbs) Batiste played at Iowa Central & Missouri State. He was a two time 2nd Team All-American at Iowa Central. At Missouri State he had 35 tackles and 5 sacks in 2005, earning honorable mention on the Gateway Conference Team.

Ryan Koontz (WR, 6’4, 205lbs) Koontz attended Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina and participated in track.  Before Clemson, he attended Independence Community College in Kansas.  At Clemson in 2005, he earned All-America honors in the decathlon with a seventh-place finish; making him the second decathlete from Clemson ever to earn All-America honors.  His football experience includes playing semi-pro in Las Vegas, NV, where he had one season with over 1,000 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns.

Shane Eaglin (OL, 6’3, 290 lbs) Shane graduated from Cornell College in 2008 with a degree in Philosophy. His senior season he was named the team Offensive MVP and was named to the League All Conference 2nd Team.

Michael Spriggs (QB, 6’2, 210 lbs) Spriggs comes to the Bandits with indoor football experience. In 2005 he played 6 games for the Lincoln Capitols in the NIFL, was named Player of Week against River City when he was 21-30 for 245 yds & 7 TD’s. In 2006 Michael played for the Johnstown Riverhawks of the AIFL, started 5 games threw for 19 TD’s and rushed for 6 TD’s. In 2007 he played for the Tri-Cities Fever in AF2 and threw for 18 TD’s in 10 games. In 2008 Spriggs played for the Twin Cities Lumberjacks in the MFL, an outdoor semi-pro league. He threw for 26 TD’s while rushing for 8. Spriggs played college football at William Jewell College and Lincoln University.
 

 
Also today the Bandits announce a Trade with the Omaha Beef. Sioux City has dealt LB Spetlar Tonga to the Beef for DL Marques Salmond. (See above info on Salmond). Tonga leaves the Bandits as the all-time leader in tackles with 283 and played 5 seasons from 2004 to 2008.

The Bandits start Training Camp on Feb 27 and open the 2009 regular season on March 15th, at the Billings Outlaws. Home opener is scheduled for March 21st, with the Bloomington Xtreme at the Tyson Events Center.