Also see: Sports in Evansville . The Evansville BlueCats were a professional indoor football team. They were a member of the United Indoor Football Association (UIF). 2007 was the 5th and final season for the Evansville BlueCats, based in Evansville, Indiana.

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Location

Evansville is located along the Ohio River in southwest Indiana. The BlueCats played their home games at Roberts Municipal Stadium. The stadium seating capacity when configured for Evansville BlueCats football is 11,310.

The name BlueCats

According to the team, the proper and official way to spell the team name, Evansville BlueCats, was 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. Originally called the 'Rivertown Mudcats' (before being announced), the team's founder, Michael Arnold, changed the name to Evansville BlueCats to reflect that the BlueCat is particularly known for its strength and endurance. The BlueCats mascot, T. D. Fiddler, was a giant, walking, kid-friendly catfish that resembles the BlueCats logo.

History

In 2001, Michael Arnold received NIFL franchise rights to build a team in Evansville, and after months of site surveys and putting together a business plan, Arnold went to the city for approval. The city wanted to see samples from the league, so Arnold and SMG Director Sandy Aaron went before the Evansville Parks and Rec. with video samples and letters from the NIFL. Local media jumped all over the concept and the word was quicky published making front page news. In early 2002, Arnold and League President Carolyn Shiver spent hours in the league ownership meetings, in Denver, attemptng to get a 'Short Field' variance for Roberts Stadium. They were successful and the Evansville Bluecats were due to kick off in March 2002, but Arnold and city officials felt that it was too quick as the funds had not been developed yet, so the kickoff was postponed until 2003. After months of working long hours and much planning, Arnold was able to secure a group of local investors and went to work on building the team. On March 23, 2003, the Evansville Bluecats kicked off indoor football in Roberts Stadium with a crowd of almost 9000 fans and 92 cheerleaders leading the chant "BlueCats"! The franchise, after a tough year of growing pains, was sold to new owners in 2004 and was closed after year five in 2007.

Fans - Booster Club

The Evansville BlueCats Booster Club, also known as the “FinHeads”, were a unique organization within the ranks of the United Indoor Football family. The “FinHeads” were more than just a fan group, they were the only UIF Booster Club in the league that was registered with the government and was classified as a 501c non-profit organization. The Booster Club had a written Mission Statement and Code of By Laws, as well as a Board of Directors with elected officers. The Club raised their funds through membership dues, Booster Club sponsorships, and half pot drawings at BlueCats home games.

Cheerleaders

The Evansville BlueCats had three cheerleader/dance teams organized by age. The Baby Blues and Junior Blues were for children and the Evansville BlueCats professional cheerleading team was made up of adults. The adult cheerleaders won the NIFL "Best Dance Team" award in back-to-back seasons in 2003 and 2004, and were known around the league and around the country as one of the elite cheer/dance programs in minor league sports.

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.

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. Coach Hart also served as Head Coach in 2007.

Head Coaches

• John Hart (2006-2007)
• Ollie Guidry (2004-2005)
• Avery Atadero (2003)

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	5	10	0	5th East	--
Totals	25	50	0	(including playoffs)

Quarterbacks 10 Brent Dearmon Running Backs 34 Ray Kirkley 22 Michael Cosey 82 Brandon Warner Wide Receivers 4 Levron Williams 88 Drouzon Quillen Running Backs/Wide Receivers 7 Dale Jennings 11 Odest Shannon		Offensive Linemen 51 Don Pitt 55 Kevin Reese 64 Doran Yilla 77 Anthony Bullock 60 Jim Booker Defensive Linemen 56 Deion Holts 31 Arlan Johnson 79 Johnny Brown 44 Terrance Cheatham		Linebackers 12 John Winchester Defensive Backs 16 AJ Bryant 23 Tez Morris 2 Tarron Acuff 3 Hunter Pingston 6 David Reese 8 Shelton Williams Kicker 35 Nate Meyer		Inactive Protected Reserve Richard Johnson WR/DB Matt Sola DL Efi Eyo QB Injury Exempt Haven Mosley QB Jon Penrod OL J.R. Webber DB Carlo Heard WR Updated 2007-07-24

UIF Awards

2007 Season
In 2007, the following BlueCats players were recognized in the league season ending awards:

• UIF All-Star Team - Deion Holts - Defensive End
• UIF All-Star Team - John Winchester - Linebacker
• UIF All-Star Team - AJ Bryant - Defensive Back

Weekly Award Winners

• Defensive Player of the Week - Week 2 - LaDrelle Bryant - Defensive End
• Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 3 - Richard Johnson - Defensive Back/Kick Returner
• Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 4 - Richard Johnson - Defensive Back/Kick Returner
• Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 5 - Odest Shannon - Running Back/Kick Returner
• Offensive Player of the Week - Week 6 - Haven Mosley - Quarterback
• Special Teams Player of the Week - Week 6 - Richard Johnson - Defensive Back/Kick Returner
• Defensive Player of the Week - Week 11 - AJ Bryant - Defensive Back
• Defensive Player of the Week - Week 13 - Deion Holts - Defensive End
• Defensive Player of the Week - Week 14 - Hunter Pingston - Defensive Back
• Defensive Player of the Week - Week 15 - John Winchester - Linebacker
• Offensive Player of the Week - Week 16 - Dale Jennings - Running Back
• Defensive Player of the Week - Week 16 - AJ Bryant - Defensive Back

Weekly Award Winners "Honorable Mention"

• Special Teams Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 1 - Tez Morris - Defensive Back
• Special Teams Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 2 - Ton-Ton Luzayadio - Kicker
• Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 4 - AJ Bryant - Defensive Back
• Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 5 - Choo Choo Davis - Defensive Back
• Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 6 - Choo Choo Davis - Defensive Back
• Special Teams Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 8 - Tarron Acuff - Defensive Back/Holder
• Offensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 13 - Michael Cosey - Running Back
• Special Teams Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 13 - Dale Jennings - Running Back
• Special Teams Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" - Week 16 - Levron Williams - Wide Receiver

2006 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

2005 Season
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. UIF Player of Week Award Fact
Since the UIF was formed prior to the 2005 indoor football season, no other team in the UIF has had more players earn Player of the Week awards than the Evansville BlueCats professional indoor football team. BlueCats players have been honored as Player of the Week or Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" a UIF league record 41 times.

References