Nighthawks, Gladiators all about fun
JANESVILLE — NFL team owners and their employees are having a heck of a time dividing up a cookie jar filled with $9 billion.
The employees don’t trust the owners, so they turned to lawyers and judges for help. The NFL players’ move hurt the team owners’ feelings so much they locked the NFL’s doors on the players.
What the NFL owners and players have is a failure to communicate. How about an egg-eating contest to decide who gets that extra billion?
Just when sanity returns to pro football is anybody’s guess. In the meantime, local amateur teams—the Janesville Nighthawks and the Rock County Gladiators—are planning on a big season, beginning in June.
The big news is the Nighthawks switched from 8-man football to a regulation 11-man team. Each team joined the Great Midwest Football League.
The Glads shifted home game sites to Milton and Clinton instead of Janesville’s Monterey Stadium. The Nighthawks play their home games on a football field outside Monterey Stadium, and the team is hoping to make improvements.
The franchise moves have created an instant rivalry for the local football fan, plus you can throw in the Beloit Titans to add spice to the rivalry recipe.
Topher Diehl, the tireless Nighthawks’ owner, coach and cheerleader, has no locks to turn, but only gates to open on the new season for the three-year-old franchise.
“It will definitely make for interesting things,” Diehl said. “The Rock County team has moved to the league.’’
Tony Clayton, the Gladiators’ general manager, knows a good thing is taking shape.
“It’s a good thing,” Clayton said of both teams entering the same league. “It’s like a rivalry between Craig and Parker. That is good for all of us.’’
While the Nighthawks are stepping up, the Gladiators are trying to build on their fan base.
“We want to rebuild,” Clayton said. “We want to have family values and a winning attitude.’’
While the Gladiators are comfortable playing home games in Clinton and Milton, the Nighthawks are happy to call Monterey Park home.
“We use Monterey field outside the stadium,” Diehl said. “I’m not sure we could afford to play (in Monterey Stadium), but we don’t want to play anywhere else.’’
The Nighthawks raised funds for goal posts, and they are considering putting up a scoreboard.
“We asked the city if we could raise funds for a scoreboard,” Diehl said. “We’re not asking the city for funds. A decent scoreboard costs between three and six grand, depending on the size.’’
As for the transition from eight-man football to regulation, Diehl said the linemen have to make the biggest transition.
“It’s not going to be that big a difference,” Diehl said. “For the guys that have played the offensive line, it’s the biggest adjustment. Instead of blocking three-on-three in eight man, they are going to have to learn different blocking schemes.’’
The Nighthawks had 39 prospects turn out for their tryouts last February. Diehl said 64 men signed waivers. Clayton said the Gladiators’ roster has many returning players.
While the big boys of big-league football argue over billions, the little guys are excited about playing football just for fun.
Mar 17, 2011 at 10:09 a.m.
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Can't blame any one for dreaming. Heard of the American Dream? Guys dreaming in a garage about becoming a big band move on to become KISS, N' SYNC, etc. Do you think Bill Gates had dreams. Now I'm not saying Mr. Diehl or Mr. Clayton are dreaming that big, but every success starts with a dream. You seem to know much about both teams, are you part of either?
Mar 17, 2011 at 9:19 a.m.
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Last season, the nighthawks played in an 8 man league with many players playing on both sides of the ball. In the 11 man league, you need to have special teams, kicking, punting and it takes more players. I think Diehl is dreaming, they show 41 players on the roster now and there is talk about cuts being made. Also a more players means more costs for the team.
Mar 16, 2011 at 7:56 p.m.
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Doc, I agree. The Nighthawks are trying to do things right by raising the funds themselves. And not asking taxpayers to foot the bill. And a question for you since you said you went to a couple of their games, about how many players did they have on the sidelines? Did it seem like they struggled to fill a roster to you? since jvlreader wants to make broad comments about a team, without really sharing facts.
Wando - From the league website, the season for both teams is only ten games long. They both play 5 home games and 5 away games. This leaves at most ten games to be played in the stadium from June through August. But thats not even the issue Doc said the Nighthawks and Gladiators are having. It's the cost of playing in the stadium. Does anyone know what the cost is for them to play at Monterey compared to other cities? Clinton and Milton?
Mar 16, 2011 at 8:37 a.m.
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doc0340: Go ahead and keep wishing that they can play their games at Monterey. When the field turns to mud because 40+ games have been played on it in a matter on months and the district has to use money that was earmarked for something else to re-sod the field maybe you'll understand the reasoning behind not letting them use it. Then again, maybe not.
Mar 16, 2011 at 8:12 a.m.
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Last year the nighthawks had a hard time keeping the 8 man team on the field, many of the players spent their time in jail.
Mar 15, 2011 at 11:02 p.m.
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Family values? Why would you allow a player that owes tens of thousands of dollars in child support?
Mar 15, 2011 at 5:33 p.m.
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It sure is refreshing to hear about a sport here in Janesville thats NOT asking the city for funds! I made it to a few of the Nighthawks games last season and its sure is good family fun. It would be nice if they could play their games inside Monterey Stadium but from what I understand the city and more so the school district wants quite a hefty fee for them to do so. Kind of makes you scratch your head and wonder why they are willing to spend millions of taxpayers money for the ice arena now doesn't it?? I applaud Mr. Diehl for doing this and putting on a family fun sport all without using any of our tax dollars, I think the hockey people could learn a thing or two from this. I wish the Gladiators could use our city for their games as well. Maybe somebody downtown could look at what they are doing and be willing to help out (without using tax money I should add) why not let the teams call Monterey Stadium home?
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