Post by Nevadanut on Oct 12, 2018 12:18:12 GMT -8
10/12/18 --
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - The River Kings have had a kbusy couple of weeks as they start to prepare for the 2019 season. The team has made a couple of key front office hires, brought in a dance team coordinator, and head coach Mark Stoute has added a top assistant coach.
The River Kings, formerly the Titans, announced their new team name two weeks ago, and are expected to display their new logo and colors in the coming days.
Director of Ticket Sales: Cedar Rapids announced it has brought on James Van Dyke into the role. Van Dyke most recently was the director of operations and ticketing for the Helena Brewers, a minor league affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball. He served in that position for three years prior to joining the River Kings. He earned his bachelor of arts degree from the Metropolitan State University of Denver two years ago.
"I'm ready for the challenge. This is an amazing opportunity for me; I'm both anxious and excited to branch out from minor league baseball and join the IFL. Football has always been a staple of my life and I'm going to give this community of Cedar Rapids everything I have," Van Dyke said on the River Kings official website.
Director of Partnerships & Promotions: Myke Darrough has a varied background in sports, including boxing, basketball and now football. He founded his own marketing/promotions firm and one of the youngest owners of a minor league basketball team with the Vehicle City Royals in Flint Michigan. Darrough also has a strong connection to the community since moving to Cedar Rapids in 2016; partnering with the Boys and Girls Club.
“I attended my first Titans game shortly after moving to Cedar Rapids and knew it was something I had to be involved with. With the changes the new ownership and management is making, their vision, and their commitment to the community; I don’t think there is a better time than now to be a part of this organization," Darrow said on the River Kings official website.
Dance Team Director: Former Titan Doll Jen Marks returns to the franchise as the leader of its dance team. Prior to her four years as a Titan Doll, she was a Rider Girl for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders hockey team. As a member of the Titans' dance team, she assisted in choreographing routines, as well as helping with the Junior Dolls program and attending promotional events within the community. During a Titan Doll halftime performance, she received her marriage proposal. After taking two years off, Marks returns to the Titans rejuvenated.
“After a couple years off it was the perfect time for me to return to the dance world and, although I won’t be returning as a dancer, I’m thrilled to be involved with the new ownership and a part of their vision to create an organization that our town deserves. Dancing for the Titans holds such a dear place in my heart. I want other young women in the Cedar Rapids area to have the same great memories, experiences and lifelong friendships as I did,” Marks said on the River Kings official website.
Assistant Head Coach: Mark Stoute, who returned to the franchise as head coach, announced this week that he has hired Mark Custer as Assistant head coach. Custer is no stranger to Cedar Rapids, as he served under Stoute as an assistant coach for the Titans from 2013 to 2016. Most recently, Custer was an assistant for the Iowa Barnstormers in 2017 and the beginning of last season before taking a leave of absence. He has a wealth of coaching experience which includes high school, college and indoor/arena football.
“I can’t wait to get back with Coach Stoute, it was great working him the past 20-plus years,” said Custer. “We had some great wins in Cedar Rapids, I’m looking forward to getting things back on track and giving the fans a team that they can be proud to support," Custer said on the River Kings official website.
Cedar Rapids will enter its eighth season in the IFL, and the first under new owners Roy Choi and Matt Stone, and general manager Ryan Eucker. The IFL will enter its eleventh season in 2019.
- HMB
(Above: Dance Team Director Jen Marks and Assistant Head Coach Mark Custer)
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