CIFL franchise ready to move forward in ‘09

Chesapeake Tide to return with new name, owner

The league tabbed a new, local ownership group for the Showplace Arena-based club earlier this summer, but it will be at least another week before CIFL officials announce any details, said league co-founder Jeff Spitaleri. Officials have held off releasing any information while they overhaul the league's organization, Spitaleri said, adding that the new league staff will have few holdovers from last year.

"We want to make sure when we put everything out, we don't have any questions about anything," Spitaleri said.

Last season, the league was marred by organizational strife. Some players reported not getting paid, and the Rochester Raiders, the defending champions, left for the American Indoor Football Association and did not participate in the CIFL playoffs. Now league officials are trying to "clean house," said the local club's head coach Matthew Steeple, before they make public the details of his team's re-organization.

"They want to make sure they bring it out the right way," Steeple said.

Steeple's coaching staff has largely remained intact, although general manager John Wolfe resigned and could have a role with the league, he said.

Steeple said fans have bombarded him with calls and e-mails regarding the fate of the franchise, but he has had little tell them other than the team is slated to play a third season in Upper Marlboro, he said.

But even with the unknowns, many prospective players, ranging from recent high school graduates to former Tide players, have expressed interest in the team, Steeple said. He has been in contact with several members of the inaugural team, which reached the playoffs, and they have been enthusiastic about possibly returning.

Even without specifics, Steeple said he is able to pitch an attractive opportunity, with founding owner Martin Johnson, who was unpopular among many players, having stepped down mid-season.

"A lot of guys didn't come back [last season] for the reasons they left before," Steeple said. He added that he tells potential players, "The only thing we can assure you is that it will better than it was before because the person who was here before isn't here anymore."

The team has scheduled three workouts that are the first step in producing a more competitive club on and off the field next season, Steeple said. Last season, the team was 2-10.

"This is going to be a new day," he said. "And because it's a new day, it doesn't guarantee anybody a spot on the team. We're going to put the best players in every position because our goal is to win."

Workouts are scheduled for Sept. 13, Oct. 11 and Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Soccer Dome in Jessup. For information, visit www.leaguelineup.com/tide.

E-mail Kevin Hilgers at khilgers@gazette.net.