Evansville BlueCats
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| Evansville BlueCats | |
 |
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| Founded | 2003 |
| League | UIF 2005-present |
| Team History | Evansville BlueCats 2003-present |
| Arena | Roberts Municipal Stadium |
|---|---|
| Based in | Evansville, Indiana |
| Team Colors | Blue & Orange |
| President of Football Operations | Ed, Ann, John & Tara Voliva |
| Head Coach | John Hart |
| Championships | 0 |
| Division Titles | 0 |
| Cheerleaders | Adults, Junior Blues, Baby Blues |
| Mascot | TD Fiddler |
The Evansville BlueCats are a professional indoor football team. They are a member of the United Indoor Football League (UIF). 2007 will be the 5th season for the Evansville BlueCats, based in Evansville, Indiana.
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[edit] The 2006 Season
In 2006, the Evansville BlueCats got off to a slow start (1-4) but rebounded in the second half of the season to win 4 of their last 5 games of the regular season and clinch a playoff berth for the second consecutive season. Evansville earned the #5 seed in the UIF playoffs. The team continued their late season surge in the playoffs and claimed an impressive 37-15 road win over the Omaha Beef in the first round. Evansville lost by only 6 points, 32-26, to the #1 seed and unbeaten Sioux Falls Storm in the UIF semi-finals. Sioux Falls went on to win the National Championship a week later.
[edit] The Name BlueCats
According to the team, the proper and official way to spell the team name, Evansville BlueCats, is with a capital "C" in the word BlueCats. Evansville is a River City and The BlueCat, part of the Catfish family, is the largest fish found in the Ohio River, often growing to over 100 pounds. Blue Catfish are particularly known for the strength and endurance. The BlueCats mascot, T.D. Fiddler, is a giant, walking, kid-friendly Catfish that resembles the BlueCats logo.
[edit] Team History
John Hart took over as the head coach of the Evansville BlueCats prior to the 2006 season and led the team to their best season ever. Coach Hart was named as the UIF Coach of the Year "Honorable Mention" by the league following the 2006 season. The BlueCats have announced the Coach Hart will return to coach the team again in 2007.
[edit] Head Coaches
- John Hart (2006-2007)
- Ollie Guidry (2004-2005)
- Avery Atadero (2003)
[edit] Current Coaching Staff
- Head Coach - John Hart
- Offensive Line Coach - Andy Zirkelbach
- Defensive Line Coach - Jeff Long
- Backs and Receivers Coach - Andy Owen
- Athletic Trainer - Del Nance
[edit] Season-by-season records
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties
| Season | W | L | T | Finish | Playoff Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evansville BlueCats (NIFL) | |||||
| 2003 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 6th Atlantic Eastern | -- |
| 2004 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 4th Atlantic North | -- |
| Evansville BlueCats (UIF) | |||||
| 2005 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 2nd South | Lost Round 1 (Lexington) |
| 2006 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 2nd East | Won Round 1 (Omaha) Lost Semifinal (Sioux Falls) |
| *2007 | 0 | 1 | 0 | T-6th East | -- |
| Totals | 21 | 43 | 0 | (including playoffs) | |
* = Current Standing
[edit] UIF Team Awards
BlueCats players have received numerous awards from the UIF. The UIF recognizes players for outstanding weekly performances and gives out awards based on performance over a full season.
In 2006, the following BlueCats players were recognized in the league season ending awards:
- UIF Defensive Player of the Year "Honorable Mention" - John Winchester - Linebacker
- UIF Defensive Rookie of the Year - John Winchester - Linebacker
- UIF Special Teams Player of the Year "Honorable Mention" - Ton-Ton Luzayadio - Kicker
- UIF All-Star Team - First Team - John Winchester - Linebacker
- UIF All-Star Team - First Team - Ton-Ton Luzayadio - Kicker
- UIF Most Improved Player "Honorable Mention" - Joel Stubblefield - Offensive/Defensive Lineman
Weekly Award Winners
- Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 2 - Ton-Ton Luzayadio - Kicker
- Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 4 - Ton-Ton Luzayadio - Kicker
- Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 10 - Ton-Ton Luzayadio - Kicker
- Defensive Player of the Week - Week 15 - AJ Bryant - Defensive Back
Weekly Award Winners "Honorable Mention"
- Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 1 - John Winchester - Linebacker
- Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 2 - John Winchester - Linebacker
- Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 5 - John Winchester - Linebacker
- Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 7 - John Winchester - Linebacker
- Special Teams Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 7 - Levander Segars - Wide Receiver/Kick Returner
- Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 10 - Demoine Adams - Defensive End
- Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 12 - Vernon Turner - Safety
- Special Teams Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 14 - Ton-Ton Luzayadio - Kicker
In 2005, the following BlueCats players were recognized in the league season ending awards:
- UIF Defensive Player of the Year - Connie Brown - Linebacker
- UIF Defensive Rookie of the Year - Connie Brown - Linebacker
- UIF All-Star Team - First Team - Doran Yilla - Offensive Line
Weekly Award Winners
- Offensive Player of the Week - Week 1 - Dale Jennings - Running Back
- Offensive Player of the Week - Week 3 - Sean Bennett - Wide Receiver
- Offensive Player of the Week - Week 6 - Odest Shannon - Running Back
- Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 9 - Erik Rockhold - Kicker
- Offensive Player of the Week - Week 11 - Ramon Robinson - Quarterback
- Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 15 - Odest Shannon - Running Back/Kick Returner
- Defensive Player of the Week - Week 17 - Connie Brown - Linebacker
- Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 17 - Erik Rockhold - Kicker
The UIF did not give "Honorable Mention" honors in their weekly awards for the 2005 season.
[edit] Location
Evansville is located along the Ohio River in southwest Indiana. The BlueCats play their home games at Roberts Municipal Stadium. The stadium seating capacity when configured for Evansville BlueCats football is 11,310.
[edit] Fans
The FinHeads is the official booster club of the Evansville BlueCats.
[edit] External links
- Official Team Website - The complete source for information on the Evansville BlueCats.
- Official League Website
- Official Booster Club Website
- UIFans - United Indoor Fans
- BlueCats' 2003 Stats
- BlueCats' 2004 Stats
- BlueCats' 2005 Stats
- BlueCats' 2006 Stats
- BlueCats' 2007 Stats
| United Indoor Football (UIF) | ||||
| Eastern Conference | Western Conference | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington Extreme | Evansville BlueCats | Lexington Horsemen | Ohio Valley Greyhounds | River City Rage | Rock River Raptors | Billings Outlaws | Colorado Ice | Omaha Beef | Sioux City Bandits | Sioux Falls Storm | |||
