Last week’s speakers were from the Quad City Steamwheelers. Jennifer Moore introduced Jim Albrecht (left in the photo), the media director for the Quad City Steamwheelers. Jim is a Moline native and former Quad Cities sports announcer. He has served as the Mallards public address announcer, worked with the Iowa Hawkeye radio network and served as the play-by play announcer for the previous Quad Cities Steamwheelers organization.
Jim traveled 120,000 miles on a sleeper bus with the Steamwheelers and was surprised at how fun and fast paced arena football is. He is excited to be part of the new Steamwheeler organization. Jim introduced Doug Bland, the new owner of the Steamwheelers, so he could tell us more about himself and his plans.
Doug is the owner and general manager of the team. He is a native of Ottawa Illinois but has lived in California, Texas and Florida for the last 23 years. He was the marketing director for Penske motor sports. He loves sports because it’s the way people escape. No matter what’s going on, you can enjoy yourself for that period of time.
After 23 years, Doug feels he is coming back home. The support has been amazing. Many of the players have roots in the Quad City area. For example, one player was a ball boy with the original team.
All seven home games will be tied to a high school and the associated feeder schools. When it’s tied to Moline High School (the third game), the band will play, the cheerleaders will cheer, etc. All varsity lettermen will be recognized on the Jumbo Tron. There will be a promo code on their social media feed and 20% of the proceeds from those who use the code will go back to the school.
The Steamwheelers have a five year lease with the TaxSlayer center and it all begins on Sunday, February 25, with the first home game against the Indiana Renegades. Tickets range from $10 - $30 for a single game, or you can get the 7-game season pack, with prices ranging from $70 - $175.
Learn more at steamwheelersfootball.com.
