Steelhawks Take Flight

The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks hit the gridiron Feb. 26 in their first arena football game against the Reading Express. The game, which marked the team's professional premier, was won by the Express, 33-26, and was played at the Sovereign Center in Reading.

Fans of arena football may remember the Lehigh Valley Outlawz from a few years ago. The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks are a whole different franchise playing in a whole different league, explained Mike Clark, executive vice president of the team.

The Steelhawks are members of the Indoor Football League based in Richmond, Va. The IFL consists of 22 teams in 14 states, according to the league's website.

The Outlawz played in the Patty Label Football League.

Clark said, "This is professional sports. It's something we plan to be big."

Clark's head coach, Richard Britt, has coached indoor football in the IFL since 2000. Britt said in the two weeks permitted by the league for training, he has pushed the team to be technically sound, perform according his direction and have fun at what they're doing.

"Our best asset?" Britt said. "We're a team. Togetherness is what we preach from day one."

Britt said he told his team to get to know each other through Facebook. He wanted them talking, laughing and communicating. He didn't want the awkwardness of strangers on the first day of practice. Getting the team to work together as a cohesive unit in two weeks is tough, and he didn't have time for people feeling uncomfortable around each other.

"I believe in playing above the line," Britt said. "Everyone who is successful in life plays 100 percent. Above the line is giving more than that 100 percent."

Clark knew of Britt during his days as a director of communications for the IFL.

"Britt has experience launching start-up teams," Clark said. "He's big on discipline and community efforts. He's the one that is able to lead this team."

Glenn Clark, Mike Clark's father, owns the Steelhawks franchise, which was approved in June 2010. He also owns Rockwood Programs, an insurance agency in Wilmington, Del. Mike Clark said they first considered a location near the University of Delaware for the team, but loved the Lehigh Valley. Clark became familiar with the Valley when he worked in communications for the Philadelphia Phantoms, a member of the American Hockey League.

Stabler Arena in Bethlehem will serve as home for the Steelhawks as it did for the Outlawz. The Steelhawks' main office is located nearby, in Coopersburg.

Clark said he wants the experience of attending a game to be fun for children and adults, and that in addition to exciting football, autographs from players and additional entertainment--such as magic tricks--will be highlights. Plus, the franchise plans to support community programs such as the March of Dimes and the American Cancer Society.

"We want to make sure that our fans have a personal connection to the players," Clark said. "We're selling the experience."

Tickets start at $8 per person per game or $56 for season tickets, with the season consisting of seven home games.

"A family of four can go to the game for less than the movie theater (costs)," he said.

In arena football, fans sit much closer to the field, which is shorter than the field on which traditional, outdoor football is played. The games are played by teams of eight-on-eight, Clark said. For the Steelhawks, the ninth player is the fans.

"No player will wear the number nine," Clark said. "That is the fan's number."

Clark said he wants the fans to feel like they are part of the team, to know the athletes' names and to make the team a part of the community. There are a total of 30 athletes on the team, and at least half of them are from the Lehigh Valley, he said. In addition to the players, many of the assistant coaches are also from the Valley.

The Steelhawks' first home game will be at 7pm March 19 at Stabler Arena and will be played against the Richmond Revolution, the 2009 Atlantic Division Champion. The IFL teams compete for the United Bowl Trophy.

Service Electric Television has agreed to air all seven home games live. The games will be broadcast live on TV2 Sports, a release said. Bob McCool will be the play-by-play announcer with former Philadelphia Eagle and current radio host for Philadelphia Sports Radio Garry Cobb providing commentary, the Steelhawks announced.

TV2 General Manager Andy Himmelwright said, “We are excited to be able to showcase the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks on TV2 Sports. The quality of the organization and team is going to provide an exciting family oriented experience.”

Information about tickets can be found on the team's website, www.LVSteelhawks.com, or by calling the team's office at 610-282-3100.

The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks' full 2011 schedule is as follows:

Away - Sat., Feb. 26 against the Reading Express, Sovereign Center, 700 Penn St., Reading

Away - Sat., March 5 against the Richmond Revolution, Sportsquest East Campus, 13030 Genito Road, Midlothian, Va.

Home - 7pm, Sat., March 19 against the Richmond Revolution at Stabler Arena, 124 Goodman Drive, Bethlehem.

Away - Fri., April 1 against the Reading Express, Sovereign Center.

Home - 7pm, Sat., April 9 against the Bloomington Extreme, Stabler Arena.

Home - 7pm, Sat., April 16 against the Chicago Slaughter, Stabler Arena.

Home - 7 pm, Sat., April 23 against the Reading Express, Stabler Arena.

Away - Sat., April 30 against the La Crosse Spartans, La Crosse Center, 300 Harborview Place, La Crosse, Wis.

Home - 4pm, Sun., May 8 against the Reading Express, Stabler Arena.

Away - Sat., May 14 against the Richmond Revolution, Sportsquest East Campus, 13030 Genito Road, Midlothian, Va.

Home - 7pm, Sat., May 21 against the Fairbanks Grizzlies, Stabler Arena.

Home - 7pm, Sat., May 28 against the Richmond Revolution, Stabler Arena.

Away - Sat., June 4 against the Green Bay Blizzard, Resch Center,1901 S. Oneida St., Green Bay, Wis.

Away - Sat., June 11 against the La Crosse Spartans, La Crosse Center, 300 Harborview Place, La Crosse, Wis.