Cyclones ready to tear through Ironman League
- By Ryan Ratajewski
- Oconomowoc Focus
- Published: 6/30/2005
The Lake Country Cyclones are entering the fall football season as an expansion team in the Ironman Football League.
With Land O' Lakes baseball a big hit in the area, the Ironman hopes to spread like wildfire across Southeastern Wisconsin.
"We're looking to get the same creditability and follow-ing like the Five O's have," said Cyclones tailback Dan Necci.
But this isn't the first year of the team Cyclones. The team played in the Ultimate Football League the past two seasons.
Jeff Flanagan founded the Cyclones in 2003 as the Oconomowoc Chargers. The UFL was a starting place for the Cyclones to gain some momentum, but the league lacked parity.
The UFL also did not have a set roster. That allowed teams to have a revolving door for players each week.
The Cyclones were competitive in the UFL last season, playing hard-nosed football with a solid run game and a tenacious defense. But when the IFL asked the team to join, the Cyclones couldn't refuse.
"There is a level of seriousness in the league," said Necci, an attorney.
History of IFL
Chris Chudada of Pewaukee started the IFL in 1996 with help from his dad, Joe. With a vision of a workingman's NFL, the league started with two teams and jumped to six in its second season.
In 1997, Joe Chudada died from lung cancer. The Ironman Championship Trophy is named in his honor.
The Cyclones believe the IFL will have stronger competition and professionalism, mainly because it has shown it every season.
IFL on Time Warner
The IFL has gotten so much attention that the league signed a television contract with Time Warner, on Wisconsin On-Demand, Channel 1111. Time Warner will televise 15 to 28 games this season. The Cyclones are scheduled for three televised games.
Love of the game
One thing all the Cyclones have in common is a love of and dedication to football.
Players from Milwaukee to West Bend meet weekly to practice at Oconomowoc's Roosevelt Field, Okauchee Lions Park, or anywhere else they can find some open turf.
Occupations of players on the team include a software engineer, a bartender, an organic chemist and several homebuilders.
Their gridiron experience ranges from a Division 1 player at Penn University to players who have never played a down in their lives.
The Cyclones do not sport any collegiate All-Americans or former NFL players, but they exist in the IFL.
"It's pretty incredible, the mix of past experience that you see in the league," Necci said about former college, XFL and NFL players.
The league is no Sunday afternoon touch-football league. Many players work out year-round for the season.
The Cyclones definitely take it seriously, having met for practice weekly since January.
"Football is a game that you need to know inside and out," Necci said.
"We needed to start as early as possible."
With busy schedules, attendance at practice ranges from four to 40.
At many practices, a new face will often show up, giving the team a tryout. The team has about 50 players but is still looking to expand its roster before the July 10 roster-lock date.
"Any way we can shape up this team and make it as big and deep as possible," Necci said.
Necci said the turnover on most IFL teams is high, mainly because of players getting older, moving and starting families, and because of injuries.
Cyclones players are responsible for their own health insurance.
Necci said a few IFL squads have teamwide health insurance. The Cyclones are looking into team health insurance coverage for next season.
Because of successful fundraising and team sponsorship, the Cyclones do not charge a joining fee. Team members are responsible for buying their helmets, pads and other equipment.
Ralph Majeska, a former high school assistant and former Milwaukee Rattlers coach, is the Cyclones head coach.
Pat Johnson, a former Wisconsin Badgers player, is the offensive coordinator. Tim O'Connell will run the defense.
The Cyclones will join the West Milwaukee Gladiators, Muskego Hitmen, Madison Seminoles and Milwaukee Venom in the National Conference.
The Milwaukee Maniacs and the West Allis Predators are the other expansion teams.
The American Conference has six teams.
The Cyclones open the season Aug. 6 against West Milwaukee.
For more information about the Cyclones or the IFL, visit www.lakecountrycyclones.com.