For Immediate Release:

 

Media Contact:                      

James Stamper            765-451-0790

 

Website:                                 

http://www.indiana-mustangs.com

                                                                       

Team Address:                      

P.O. Box 954

Noblesville, IN  46061

 

 

 

Mustangs Post Big Win over Lake County Steelers!

The Indiana Mustangs (2 – 0) closed their preseason with a big win over the Lake County Steelers 41 – 0 in Hobart, IN.  The Mustangs dominated the Steelers on both sides of the football with a pounding rushing attack and a swarming defense.  Mustang running back Erick Harper (Arlington HS) opened the scoring with two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter.  Tailback Endre’ Adams (Olivet Nazarene) added another touchdown on a nifty 30-yard draw play with just under two minutes left in the first half.  The Mustang defense then forced a Steeler safety, providing the Mustang offense another scoring opportunity before the half ended.  The Mustangs standout quarterback, Eric Hooks (North Central and U. of St. Francis) found rookie receiver Nick Hobbs (Kokomo High School) on a ten-yard slant pass, and the Mustangs closed out the first half with a 27 – 0 lead.  Endre’ Adams added two more rushing touchdowns in the second half with PAT’s added by former Butler kicker Rob Lawson (Hamilton Hts HS).  The Mustang defense was led by its talented linebacking corp of Mike Schmitt, Hunter Marshall, Ron Exantus and Jake Lebo.  Bruce McDonald (Kokomo HS) added an interception from his corner position and safety Merideth Curnutt added a couple of big hits. 


The Mustangs will open league play on Saturday, July 19th when they travel down to face the Louisville Bulls.  The Bulls are the oldest members of the Mid-Continental Football League (MCFL), and the Bulls-Mustangs share the longest rivalry within the league.  Although the Mustangs lead the series 17 – 2, twelve of the nineteen games were decided by a touchdown or less, and many of those games were decided on the final play of the game.  Over the years, the Bulls-Mustangs tradition has provided many memorable games, life-long friendships and a mutual respect for each other.  Both teams like to hit hard and play old school football, and if history repeats itself, this game will come down to the final drive in the pouring rain. 

 

The Mustangs will host their first home game on Saturday, July 26th when they face last year’s league champions, Detroit Ravens.  Kickoff is 7 pm, and the Mustangs invite you stop by Culver’s Restaurant in Noblesville for “Meet the Mustangs” Night.  Players will be available from 5 – 7 pm on Friday, July 25th.  Mustang players will be handing out free tickets and activities are planned for the children.    

 

The Mustangs are excited to announce they are partnering with the American Cancer Society for 2008.  ACS staff will be at every Mustang home game with a different cancer theme that they will be providing literature on.  At the last home game on September 13th, the Mustangs are hosting Dan Young GM Center, Tipton and White's Meat Market's Tailgate Party.  Fans will be treated to hot dogs and chips for a free-will donation.  All donations will go to the American Cancer Soceity.

 

Jul 26 - Skin Cancer
Aug 16- Smoke Free Air
Aug 23 - Prostate
Sept. 13 - Breast Cancer/MSABC

 

The Mustangs are also participating in the Indianapolis Colts’ opening day of training camp on Monday, July 28, 2008.  The Colts have invited sport teams from around the state to take part in this year’s “Colt City”.  Colt City will provide several activities for children and Colt fans to enjoy in between the Colt’s morning and afternoon practice sessions.  Colt City is located at Rose Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, IN and is open to the public from 10 am - 3 pm.   Stop by the Mustangs booth and pick up a free ticket to see the Mustangs in action this season!

 

The Mustangs are still looking for players (specifically offensive & defensive linemen), volunteers and corporate sponsors for this season.  Advertising packages are available ranging in price from $75 to $2,500.  If you would like more information, please feel free to contact either Patrick Copeland at 317-502-1645 or James Stamper at 765-451-0790.


Preseason

Jun 22              at Adams County Patriots (Decatur, IN)        W        19 – 6

Jul 12               at Lake County Steelers (Hobart, IN)            W        41 - 0

 

Regular Season

Jul 19               at Louisville Bulls

Jul 26              Detroit Ravens

Aug 2              at Ohio Swarm

Aug 9              at Hardin County Wolverines

Aug 16            Columbus Fire

Aug 23            Ohio Xtreme

Sep 6               at So. Michigan Timberwolves

Sep 13             Central Kentucky Studs

Sep 20             18th Annual MCFL Playoffs Begins

(All home games Kickoff at 7:00 pm)

 

2008 Mustangs Staff:

James Stamper – President and Head Coach

Mike De Iulio –  Offensive Assistant

Don Stradling – Receivers Coach

Shawn Fox – Defensive Coordinator

Dean Johnson – Defensive Backs Coach

 

Administrative Staff:

Webmaster – Dan Zoeller

Trainer - Andy Shaffer, certified trainer

Equipment Mgr. – Brett Worl, (looking for another volunteer)

Statisticians – Kaleb Worl and Tim Bourff

Team Photographer – Jennifer Ross

Videographer – Bob Haberfield

Scoreboard – Rick Rios

Announcer – Rob Blackman

Gate & Concessions –  Nikki Worl, Sandy Hilsinger, Tom & Deb Coate (still looking for 4-6 volunteers per game)


 

Who are the Indiana Mustangs?

The Indiana Mustangs are a group of guys who enjoy playing and promoting football for the purity of the game.  There are no million dollar contracts or pre-season holdouts.  In fact, players are responsible for their own equipment and insurance.  Players come from all over central Indiana…i.e. Indianapolis, Noblesville, Carmel, Westfield, Fishers, Kokomo, Lafayette, Logansport, Peru, Marion, Greenwood, Terre Haute, etc. 

 

Many of our players are former high school standouts and most have some college experience (approx. 60%).  For a select few, the Mustangs represent an opportunity to keep the dream alive and the skills tuned for a hopeful shot at another level.  Since 1991, the Mustangs have had twenty players play professionally in Europe, one in the Canadian Football League and eight in indoor Arena Football.

The team was founded in 1991 and was later incorporated into a non-profit organization (501c7) in 1992.  The team is funded through corporate sponsorships, player fees, gate admissions, raffles and private contributions.  In sixteen years, the annual operating budget has increased from $5,000 in the first year to over $30,000 annually.  Team expenses can be categorized into the following: field rental, referees, printing, travel, equipment, and league dues.  Although volunteers provide most of the labor to run the team, we do pay some support staff members, trainer and statistician.   

 

The Mustangs were extremely successful during the mid-1990’s with three consecutive seasons of ten wins or more. This success brought national recognition to the team as one of the top team’s in the nation.  In 1995, the Mustangs were undefeated during the regular season and ranked #1 nationally for four weeks by the American Football Association.  The Mustangs are members of the prestigious Mid Continental Football League (MCFL).  Several former Division I athletes have kept their careers active in the MCFL…former Heisman candidate, Major Harris (West Virginia / So. Mich Twolves); Ricky Powers (Michigan / So. Mich Twolves); former Cleveland Browns full back, Chris Floyd (Michigan / So. Michigan Twolves); Cory Rogers (Purdue / Indiana Mustangs) and every year some of the best adult amateur athletes in the country compete within the Mid-Continental Football League.

 

In 2006, three of the ten member teams were ranked in the Top 20 nationally.  The league is comprised of fourteen teams covering four states. West Michigan Force from Grand Rapids, MI won the MCFL title in 2006 and they went on to win the USA National Championship in the Orange Bowl, Miami, FL.  Each member team plays an eight-game schedule culminated by a three-game playoff tournament, beginning the first week of October. 


Team Highlights:

·         Founded in 1991 and incorporated as a 501c7 d/b/a Indiana Mustangs Football Club, Inc.

·         Home Field: Hare Chevrolet Field, Noblesville, IN

·         Won MCFL Divisional titles in 1993, 1994 and 1995

·         Runner-up to MCFL League Championship, 1993

·         Ranked #1 in the nation during undefeated regular season, 1995

·         Mustangs have raised over $25,000 for local charities

 

League / National Associations:

·         Current member of the Mid Continental Football League, 1993 – current

·         Past member of the Mid Eastern Football League (MEFL) 1998

·         Member of the American Football Association (AFA)

 

Team History:

                          W             L         League Affiliation

1991                    5                                3              Independent                        

1992                    8                                3              Independent

1993                  11                                2              MCFL; won division title; runner-up to league Championship

1994                  10                                2              MCFL; won division title

1995                  12                                2              MCFL; won division title; undefeated season, ranked #1

1996                  10                                3              MCFL   

1997                    8                                4              MCFL

1998                    4                                5              MEFL

1999                    3                                6              MCFL

2000                    6                                3              MCFL; play-off berth

2001                    8                                4              MCFL; play-off berth

2002                    7                                7              Mid-States Football Tournament

2003                  12                                7              MCFL; runner-up Mid-States Football Tournament

2004                  10                                6              MCFL and Mid-States playoffs

2005                    8                                6              MCFL and Mid-States playoffs

2006                    2                                6              MCFL

2007                    5                                6              MCFL playoffs

Total         129                        75        64% winning percentage

 

Player Demographics

·         Player Roster:                    50

·         Player Range of age:         19 - 46 years

·         Average age:                     28

 

Player by City                        Diversity                                       College Background      

Kokomo                     15         Afro American            19              College Experience    28

Indy Metro                 21         White                           23              Currently in college      7

Miami County              3         Hispanic                         1              Professional                   

Other                            7         Samoa                            2              Experience                  4

                                                                                                      Division I-A               10  

 

 

Former Mustang Professional Coaching Staff / Experience:

 

                                                                     High School                            College  

Name                                   Year                Coaching Experience            Experience

Dennis Bentzler                   2003                Head coach, Taylor HS.

Mark Hollingsworth             1997-2001       Asst. @ Western H.S.             Taylor Univ.

Kevin Armour                      1996-current    Secina HS; Team USA           St. Joseph

James Stamper                     1991–current   Kokomo Mustangs                  Played Taylor  U.

Kevin Roth                          1998, 1999      Head Coach Hamilton Hts.    Hanover College

Dan Robinson                      1997                Head Coach @ Northwestern  Taylor U.                                                                  Asst. @ North Central

Steve Hurst                          1994 - 96         Head Coach @ Noblesville & Twin Lakes       

Doc Heath                            1994 - 95         Head Coach @ Frankfort & Culver

Mike Landis                         1992, 93          Head Coach @ Carroll

Andy Coverdale                  1997                Asst. @ Noblesville                   LSU                                                     Head Coach @ Brown County