LINDENWOOD'S STABACK HEADED TO PROS
RENO, NV (November 29, 2010) - The Reno Barons professional indoor football franchise is proud to announce that 2010 Heart of America Athletic Conference Offensive Player of The Year Philip Staback will be joining the team in training camp for the 2011 season next February. Staback has been the leader of the high powered offense the last two seasons for the Lindenwood University Lions in St. Charles, Missouri.
"Philip is coming from a program thats high tempo will help him greatly with the transition into indoor football," stated Barons Assistant Head Coach Jarrod Rogol. "Also, he is the kind of player that isn't satisfied with good and is always driven to be great. His ability to communicate with teammates and his commanding presence on the field will also aid in his transition."
Over the last two seasons at Lindenwood, Staback has proven to be one of the top quarterbacks in the NAIA and the HAAC Conference. His (225.0) passer efficiency rating this season led the nation as did his (332.9) passing yards per game. Staback also attempted 602 passes during his two seasons and was picked only 14 times. During the Lions 2009 season, he started all 14 games, ranking second in the nation in passer efficiency finishing the season with a (178.9) rating, and received second-team ALL-HAAC honors and Honorable Mention All-American. The 2009 season also saw Staback set Lindenwood's single season passing touchdown record (36) along with climbing to second most passing yards in a season.
"I have high expectations for the upcoming seasons. I feel that the Reno Barons will be a great fit for me and hope to learn a lot from the veterans and hope that they will push me to be the best I can be," stated Staback. "I'm excited for the speed, the scoring and just being able to continue my career. I expect to succeed but understand that it will not come without preparation, so I will come into camp ready to work hard and push my teammates to be great."
When Staback steps onto the field with the Barons, he will add to the list of recent Lions that have made it to the next level. Included in the list are Roren Thomas (Jacksonville Jaguars and Calgary Stampeders), Defensive End Brian Schaefering (Cleveland Browns and New York Jets), Punter Zac Atterberry (Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins), and perhaps most notably, Running Back DeDe Dorsey who played for the Indianapolis Colts during Super Bowl XLI and in 2009 helped the Las Vegas Locomotives win the first-ever United Football League Championship and was named MVP of the championship game.
"When you watch film of Philip you see a young man that has tremendous potential in our game," stated Barons Head Coach Major Harris. "I look forward to having a player of his caliber in camp."