The Capital District YMCA would like to congratulate Irani DeAraujo for signing a contract to play wide receiver for the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks of the professional Indoor Football League. Irani works in membership and as a site supervisor for the 21st Century Grant Program through the Troy Family Y amd plans on returning to the Y when he is back in the area this summer. Congratulations Irani.
Wednesday, January 5, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For additional information contact Mike Clark at (610) 282-3100
STEELHAWKS LAND BIG RECEIVER
SUNY Albany Star Adds Depth to WR Core
Bethlehem, PA: The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks announced today that they have signed former SUNY Albany Wide Receiver Irani DeAraujo Jr. to a contract for the 2011 season. DeAraujo most recently played for the Chicago Slaughter of the IFL during the 2010 season where he saw action in seven games with five starts. In his short stint with the team at the end of the season he totaled 22 catches for over 250 yards and a score.
DeAraujo, a 6’3, 220 pounder with sure hands, is expected to be involved in all facets of the offense and special teams while becoming a primary focus in the redzone. His unique ability as both a pass catcher and blocker stood out to the Steelhawks coaching staff
“When you first see film on Irani you can’t help but be impressed with his size,” stated Head Coach Richard Britt. “Then you see his hands, his ability as a blocker, and his willingness to dominate on special teams and you realize that you have found an all around athlete. I am very excited with the way this offense is coming together.”
A four year letterman at SUNY Albany, DeAraujo played in 51 career games, starting 32 of them, and finished school fourth all-time in receiving yards. Additionally he was named as the school’s 2005 Receiver of the Year and caught 95 total passes during his career.
In other team news, the Steelhawks are still evaluating talent from their second open tryout held on December 6th at the Rauch Field House on the Goodman Campus of Lehigh University. The Coaches expect to sign a few participants from that tryout in the coming weeks. The team is allowed up to 45 individuals for February’s camp, and must cut down to 30 before their 2011 opener February 26th at the Reading Express.
Season ticket packages, starting as low as $8 per game, are still available but great seats are limited, so to reserve your seats close to the action call the team’s front office at 610-282-3100. Don’t miss out on the fun and exciting atmosphere that is Steelhawks Professional Indoor Football!
For further information please call Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Executive Vice President Mike Clark at (610) 282-3100, or the IFL League Office at (804) 643-PASS (7277). To visit our websites, log onto www.LVSteelhawks.com or www.goifl.com.
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The Indoor Football League (www.goifl.com) is a 22-team league based out of Richmond, Virginia with franchises in 15 states (including Alaska). The league holds a 14-game regular season schedule that runs February through June. The IFL’s playoffs culminate in July with the IFL United Bowl.