WolfPack welcomes their newest edition Christopher Banks

4/11/2010

Christopher is 11 years old. In February of 2009 he had brain surgery to remove a tumor that was causing him to have seizures and was threatening his life.
Background Story

Christopher is 10 years old. In July of 2007 he lapsed into a moderate coma. When the Dr came into his room and asked us to step out, that is when our world was turned upside down



**He told us Christopher had a mass on his brain, and showed us on the MRI. We later learned he had also suffered a small stroke. We waited 3 long months to get in with a specialist in Columbia, where he was given his diagnosis. He was started on anti seizure medication and we were sent home while they made a decision about operating. We went back on December 21, with the hopes of Christopher having the operation, only to be told there was nothing they could do for him there except "treat the symptoms". We came home, had the best Christmas that we could given the circumstances, then began to look for more treatment options. We contacted John Hopkins In Baltimore and they set us up with a set of Specialists in St.Louis. March 24th we met with that team of Specialists. After several tests, stays and appointments, on December 4, 2008, Christopher was turned down for surgery in St.Louis. We are now headed to Memphis to meet with some of the best Dr's in the Nation. We will not stop until Christopher is better.
-Kimberly Banks

See updates directly form Chris and his family athttp://www.caringbridge.org/visit/christopherbanks/mystory



**We are so blessed to have come into contact with Champions Committed to Kids.
They are an incredible organization that really invests in children's inspiration and hope.
That is priceless.
The Springfield WolfPack is looking forward to having Chris on our team.
His courage and sense of pure joy was contageous at Saturday's practice.
He's already one of the boys and told me he felt like he was at home.
It warmed my heart to hear that.
Watch for more updates, stories and pictures!!!
-Wendy Wells

Chris realizes "This is his WolfPack House"

Chris & Coaches

Chris is introduced No.1 WolfPack Player

Chris & his friends

Chris: Let's win the ball game!!!

The Mystery Hour | Not Quite Successful Football Tryout

Jeff and Nate take their combined no years experience with them to tryout for The Springfield Wolfpack indoor football team. Which one will make the team? Which one will get closest? They are not men. Not even close. 


Filmed by Speedy Productions


Skinny Improv Group

We are on 417 Magazine!~ See article here!

The Wolf Pack Bites Back

This is the year for our own arena football team, the Springfield Wolf Pack, to make a run for the playoffs and come away champions.

BY SAMANTHA GOEHRI

Photos by Game Face Photography / Landon Small / Wendy Wells

Springfield’s arena football team, the Wolf Pack, plays on a smaller field than NFL teams.

Are you a football fan who can hardly wait for fall, when you get to tailgate, cheer for your favorite team and watch your favorite sport? Well you’re in luck! This month Springfield’s own indoor arena football team begins its fourth spring season on April 17 at Mediacom Ice Park. Games are open to the public and a fantastic way to spend your Saturday out of the heat watching an action-packed indoor arena football game.
In the past, the Wolf Pack has not had much luck with the playoffs, but according to Terry Edwards, the co-owner of the Wolf Pack, Coach Michael Burris has great potential. “He can coach my team to the championship,” Edwards says. And the team definitely has the talent to back up that dream. For the past three years the Wolf Pack has lead the American Professional Football League in league in defense.
At tryouts in January, Burris kept a very open mind, looking only at the talent he saw on the field. “Everyone has their chance,” He says. “You have a chance to earn your spot and work for opportunity.”

The 411 What: Wolf Pack Arena Football Games When: Season opener April 17 Where: Mediacom Ice Park Cost: $7 general admission More information: Call 417-831-0548 for tickets, and learn more about the team at hometeamsonline.com/teams/wolfpackindoorfootball.

He expects his core group of veterans returning this year to lead the way for the new recruits, although he also keeps his eyes on several key players who have the ability to do great things this season. These key players include Derrik Rasmus, the former quarterback from Evangel University and a newcomer to the team; Stanley Harris, the MVP last year who never missed a practice; and Deontae Blackmon, last year’s Wolf Pack Rookie of the Year.
Because it takes the entire team working together in order to succeed on the field, these guys become more than just teammates. “It’s that camaraderie and teamwork that should be out on the field. That’s a lot of what you play for. You play for pride, you play for your team, you play for your family,” says Burris.
You might be wondering about the differences between arena football and 11-man outdoor football (like the NFL). “It takes a different skill set and a different mindset,” Burris explains. The biggest differences are the field size, team sizes, and game pacing. In 11-man, the team plays on a 100-yard field with two 10-yard end zones and 18-and-a-half-foot wide field goalposts. Eight-man indoor arena football plays on a 50-yard field with two eight-yard end zones and nine-foot wide field goals.
Coach Burris says the differences between arena and outdoor football are minute and practically unnoticeable if you aren’t a big football fan. In any case, this team is sure to feed your game day desires, so watch to see if the Wolf Pack work their way to the playoffs.

source from 417 Magazine
Check out our 417 article LICK HERE

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WolfPack Help Train Future Sports Leaders

View it from Community Free Press Page#9

The Springfield WolfPack is helping Missouri State University students learn more about their future careers.

Twenty-six entertainment management students are obtaining first-hand sport industry experience by working with the WolfPack staff during the 2010 season. The students’ involvement with the WolfPack will fulfill a requirement for an elective course they are enrolled in named Managing The Sport Enterprise.

“This component of the course is designed to provide practical immersion in the sport industry to supplement the classroom instruction that students receive,” said Dr. Ben Goss, associate professor of management at Missouri State. “They are required to work a minimum of 10-15 hours for the WolfPack or in a similar setting.”

Goss said a former student who interned with the team spawned the program’s relationship with the WolfPack.

“The student suggested that Angela Edwards (team president) and I meet, and our discussions fueled some ideas about ways we could work together to provide laboratory experiences in the sport industry for our students,” he said. “The WolfPack were gracious enough to agree to open their doors to our students to give this a try, and we're most grateful.

Over two-thirds of the 28 students enrolled in the course chose to work with the WolfPack, Goss said.

Students may work more than the required hours with Goss’ approval, and several have indicated an interest in doing a full-time internship with the WolfPack after this semester.

One of the students working with the WolfPack staff is Wichita, Kan., native Scott Glenn. Glenn, who would like to be a college athletic director later in his career, said he expects to learn a lot about how social media is used by an organization like the WolfPack.

“I have seen how important the use of Twitter and Facebook are to running a successful organization,” he said. “So many people are using these sources, and it is vital that the WolfPack do as well.”

Chillicothe, Mo., native Megan Sharp said she has already learned a very important thing during her time with the WolfPack.

“It is important to have a target market,” she said. “That way you can focus each event on the audience.”

Wendy Wells, sales and marketing director for the WolfPack, said the experience with the Missouri State students will be beneficial for both parties.

“We are happy and excited to have the students be part of our team for the 2010 season,” she said. “I think there is a lot we can learn from each other, and I hope everyone involved finds this experience very beneficial and enjoyable.”

Glenn said he has already enjoyed his experience with the WolfPack.

“I have enjoyed the freedom that Wendy and the WolfPack staff have given me,” he said. “They have allowed me to learn first hand and have not micromanaged my every move.”

Goss said he believes the students and the WolfPack staff will not only help each other, but also help the growth of indoor football’s popularity in the Springfield area.

“My aim is for the students to provide help to the WolfPack franchise in any way they can, and to use this as an opportunity to discover various aspects of the sport industry that can't be taught inside a classroom,” he said.

“I'm confident our students can produce a strong return on the WolfPack investment in our class, because I passionately believe in the sport indoor football as a quality entertainment experience and am personally committed to seeing it grow in size and scope in Springfield.”

-written By Mert Seaton

source from springfieldwolfpack.net

Wolfpack Opens Run to Championship against CPFL Team

The Springfield WolfPack, Springfield’s only professional indoor football team, will open the 2010 season with a home game on April 17 against the Topeka Thunder of the Central Plains Football League (CPFL).

The recently released 2010 American Professional Football League (APFL) schedule has every team starting the season in an inter-league matchup against teams from the CPFL. The WolfPack’s game against the Thunder will start a stretch of four straight home games to start the season.

“We are excited to have a chance to start the season with the Thunder,” team President Angela Edwards said. “We believe our players and our fans will be up to the challenge. The Thunder, and the teams in the APFL, better be ready for what they will experience on the field and in the stands in Springfield this year.”

Along with inter-league play, the 2010 APFL season also includes the addition of the three-time CPFL champion Mid-Missouri Outlaws from Sedalia, MO.

“We’re excited about the Outlaws joining our league,” APFL President Ralph Adams said. “The excellence they displayed in the CPFL will be a welcome addition to the already great competition we have in the APFL.”

Adding another team from Missouri to the APFL creates an instant in-state rival for the WolfPack. That rivalry will begin on Saturday, May 8 when the Outlaws travel to Springfield for the first time in APFL history.

The 2010 APFL regular season will run from Saturday April 17 to the end of June. The playoffs and championship games will be set in early- to mid-July. For more on the 2010 APRL season go to springfieldwolfpack.net.

source from springfieldwolfpack.net