Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
BRUISERS: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "BRUISERS. A semi-pro football team in Dubuque, the Bruisers had their inaugural season in 2009. Coached by Peter Staranko, the team began with twenty men who showed up on March 21st to tryout for a slot on the team which would be a member of the North American Football League. The league described as having nearly 100 "adult amateur football teams." The league was founded by Robert F. Licopoli in 1999 to link the fragmented semi-pro teams across the country. (1) In Novem...") |
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BRUISERS. A semi-pro football team in Dubuque, the Bruisers had their inaugural season in 2009. Coached by Peter Staranko, the team began with twenty men who showed up on March 21st to tryout for a slot on the team which would be a member of the North American Football League. The league described as having nearly 100 "adult amateur football teams." The league was founded by Robert F. Licopoli in 1999 to link the fragmented semi-pro teams across the country. (1) In November, Dubuque Bruisers quarterback Jermar Jackson led the North to a 24-21 victory over the South and earned a Most Valuable Player designation. Runnersup for MVP honors were Dubuque's Thoni Oriental (5 tackles) and Adam Kaiser (two interceptions, four passes defended). Jackson and Dominick Locascio were scheduled to play in the All-American Bowl in Minneapolis. (2) | BRUISERS. A semi-pro football team in Dubuque, the Bruisers had their inaugural season in 2009. Coached by Peter Staranko, the team began with twenty men who showed up on March 21st to tryout for a slot on the team which would be a member of the North American Football League. The league described as having nearly 100 "adult amateur football teams." The league was founded by Robert F. Licopoli in 1999 to link the fragmented semi-pro teams across the country. (1) In November, Dubuque Bruisers quarterback Jermar Jackson led the North to a 24-21 victory over the South and earned a Most Valuable Player designation. Runnersup for MVP honors were Dubuque's Thoni Oriental (5 tackles) and Adam Kaiser (two interceptions, four passes defended). Jackson and Dominick Locascio were scheduled to play in the All-American Bowl in Minneapolis. (2) | ||
On July 17, 2010 the Bruisers, of the North American Football League, played their first-ever home game. They were also playing without their star quarterback Jermar Jackson who had taken a job to play professionally in Germany. Despite this, heavy roster turnover, and being outscored 93-37 in previous games, they defeated the Iowa Threshers 33-6 in a game viewed by an audience of about 200 at Dalzell Field. It was an especially nice victory over the team that had defeated the Bruisers twice in 2009 in the regular season and then again in the playoffs when the team was called Iowa Lightning. (3) | |||
Jackson returned from professional play in Germany in time to play in the second round matchup. The team entered the playoffs as the No. 7 seed in the National Football Conference's Central Super Region. (4) | |||
The Bruisers were off to their best start for a season in 2011 at 5-1 and was 3-0 for playing at home. (5) Playing in the Midwest Football Alliance, the team with a 7-2 record in Septembe was suspended from the playoffs because of disparaging remarks made by some players against the league and its teams. They were able to compete in the Midwest Top Shelf Tournament involving eight teams in September. The team president stated that the Bruisers were negotiating with the Great Midest Football League and Minor Football League about joining one of the organizations in 2012. (6) | |||
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2. Bruiser's Jackson Scores All-Star MVP Honors," ''Telegraph Herald,'' November 26, 2009, p. 10 | 2. Bruiser's Jackson Scores All-Star MVP Honors," ''Telegraph Herald,'' November 26, 2009, p. 10 | ||
3. O'Neill, Tim, "Bruisers Get 1st Victory," ''Telegraph Herald'', July 18, 2010, p. 31 | |||
4. O'Neill, Tim, "Bruisers' Jackson Back for Playoff," ''Telegraph Herald'', November 8, 2010, p. 9 | |||
5. Campbell, Clete, "Bruisers Going Pink," ''Telegraph Herald,'' June 22, 2011, p. 9 | |||
6. "Exiled Bruisers Return to Field," ''Telegraph Herald'', September 9, 2011, p. 11 | |||
Revision as of 16:24, 23 July 2024
BRUISERS. A semi-pro football team in Dubuque, the Bruisers had their inaugural season in 2009. Coached by Peter Staranko, the team began with twenty men who showed up on March 21st to tryout for a slot on the team which would be a member of the North American Football League. The league described as having nearly 100 "adult amateur football teams." The league was founded by Robert F. Licopoli in 1999 to link the fragmented semi-pro teams across the country. (1) In November, Dubuque Bruisers quarterback Jermar Jackson led the North to a 24-21 victory over the South and earned a Most Valuable Player designation. Runnersup for MVP honors were Dubuque's Thoni Oriental (5 tackles) and Adam Kaiser (two interceptions, four passes defended). Jackson and Dominick Locascio were scheduled to play in the All-American Bowl in Minneapolis. (2)
On July 17, 2010 the Bruisers, of the North American Football League, played their first-ever home game. They were also playing without their star quarterback Jermar Jackson who had taken a job to play professionally in Germany. Despite this, heavy roster turnover, and being outscored 93-37 in previous games, they defeated the Iowa Threshers 33-6 in a game viewed by an audience of about 200 at Dalzell Field. It was an especially nice victory over the team that had defeated the Bruisers twice in 2009 in the regular season and then again in the playoffs when the team was called Iowa Lightning. (3)
Jackson returned from professional play in Germany in time to play in the second round matchup. The team entered the playoffs as the No. 7 seed in the National Football Conference's Central Super Region. (4)
The Bruisers were off to their best start for a season in 2011 at 5-1 and was 3-0 for playing at home. (5) Playing in the Midwest Football Alliance, the team with a 7-2 record in Septembe was suspended from the playoffs because of disparaging remarks made by some players against the league and its teams. They were able to compete in the Midwest Top Shelf Tournament involving eight teams in September. The team president stated that the Bruisers were negotiating with the Great Midest Football League and Minor Football League about joining one of the organizations in 2012. (6)
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Source:
1. Blanchard, Courtney, "Football Team Holds Tryouts," Telegraph Herald, March 22, 2009, p. 13
2. Bruiser's Jackson Scores All-Star MVP Honors," Telegraph Herald, November 26, 2009, p. 10
3. O'Neill, Tim, "Bruisers Get 1st Victory," Telegraph Herald, July 18, 2010, p. 31
4. O'Neill, Tim, "Bruisers' Jackson Back for Playoff," Telegraph Herald, November 8, 2010, p. 9
5. Campbell, Clete, "Bruisers Going Pink," Telegraph Herald, June 22, 2011, p. 9
6. "Exiled Bruisers Return to Field," Telegraph Herald, September 9, 2011, p. 11