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Coach LaMagna Writes Article in Scranton PostThe NEPA Miners efforts to reach the community has expanded to the media as Miners Head Coach Dan LaMagna wrote an article on the Miners for the areas newest publication, The Scranton Post.NEPA Miners’ Latest By Daniel LaMagna, on 17-07-2008 17:02 Published in : News, Sports Scranton has a new minor league football team and one to be proud of. The North East PA (NEPA) Miners won “Best New Team” status on the East Coast by “Minor League Football News” in 2007. The team is building on the success of its 8-4 inaugural season and has launched its 2008 “Football for the Fans campaign.” The organization is owned and operated by team president Daniel LaMagna and general manager Michele LaMagna. The Miners are similar to other minor league teams like the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, Penguins, and Pioneers in that they deliver a large product but different in that the Miners are a family-owned business rather than a large company. Minor League football came to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area in 1969. The Lackawanna Eagles were part of the newly formed Empire Football League that consisted of teams primarily from Pennsylvania and New York. The Lackawanna Eagles played until the late 1970s before management changes stopped operations for a few seasons. In 1982, the team returned as the Scranton Eagles and has built a rich history in the 1980s and early ‘90s by winning 11 league titles. In 1999, the city of Wilkes-Barre introduced the Wilkes-Barre Blaze which generated much interest out of the gates but went on to fold in 2001. The Scranton Eagles have fallen on hard times and ceased operations. This brings me to the two most popular questions about the Miners: “Are they like the old Scranton Eagles?” and “Do they play indoors like the Pioneers?” The answer to these questions is a mixed bag but in a nutshell they are on a larger scale than past semi pro teams. They play NFL rules football and at Scranton Memorial Stadium, rain or shine. The Miners boast an affordable family night of entertainment, charging $8 general admission and $4 for children under age 12. Buttons the Clown and the Miners Girls Entertainment Team entertain the fans and children along with an action-packed football game on the field. Miners merchandise and give-aways to fans are also part of a fun night. The North East PA Miners are bringing the first league of its kind to our area. The Regional American Football League (RAFL) consists of 38 teams on the East Coast and is a part of the Minor League Football Alliance (MLFA) that consists of close to 200 teams nationwide to determine a true minor league champion. So far so good as the NEPA Miners are 2-0 (1-0 RAFL) as they defeated the Schuylkill County Coal Crackers, 14-6, to win the second annual Anthracite Classic and keep the Coal Miners Trophy in NEPA. The Miners routed the Hudson Valley Cowboys, 30-0, to win their regular season home opener on Saturday. This brings up more popular questions: “How old are the players?” and “Do they get paid?” The NEPA Miners player’s average age is mid 20s, with some athletes right out of high school and some in their early 30s as they can still compete at a higher level of football. League rules does not allow the players to get paid; it is an opportunity for advancement, various team perks and mostly for the love of the game. The team has a local core of talent led by Kings graduate Damon Saxon, who has run the ball 19 times for 178 yards and two scores along with 61 receiving yards in the first two games. The All-Time Minor League leading rusher Donnie Jackson-Bey, who set the record with over 15,300 career yards last season, is now helping the team at linebacker in what may be his final season. Defensive end Malcolm Singleton from Wilkes-Barre led the nation a year ago with 20 sacks has 3 sacks already this season. The Miners also have players travel from New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia instead of playing for teams in their own backyard, which is a compliment to what the Miners have accomplished in just a short time. Team president Dan LaMagna wears multiple hats as he is also the head coach and offensive coordinator of the team’s West Coast offense. Marty Evans and Travis Grobes coordinate the thunder defense which dominated the Cowboys this past weekend, holding their opponents to 19 total yards and sacking the quarterback seven times. The special teams bounced back from an underperforming week one and had Kings graduate Craig Haywood provide a dazzling kickoff return for a 75-yard score. The Miners are not only a football team; they are a year round business that reaches out to the community as much as they are able. This past off season was a gratifying one as the team held its second annual Charlie Wysocki Camp for youth and supported Coach Wysocki in launching the Charlie Wysocki Foundation. The organization is proud to announce that Coach Wysocki’s amazing story can now be found online at www.charliewysocki.com with its mission to help others who suffer from mental illnesses. The Miners also hosted a silent auction, golf tournament and a Scranton Chamber business mixer, and attended many other community events including the 24-hour Relay for Life to support the American Cancer Society. The Miners are becoming a household name in our community with new business relationships such as cross promotions/ticket sales with The Mall at Steamtown, Kevin’s Wholesale where fans are able to purchase Miners merchandise, and Good Fellas to celebrate their wins. These partnerships are formed to help the local community and to give back to the fans. The team also added sports anchor Paul Grippi along with the voice of the SWB Yankees, John Davies, to announce their games. The next game is this Saturday at 7 p.m. at Scranton Memorial Stadium as the undefeated Miners will host their division rival, the New England Knights, who will be playing their first game of the regular season. This game ought to be a battle as the two teams square off for first place in the North East. The Lackawanna County Commissioners will be on hand for the coin toss to support our hometown team. More information on the Miners can be found at www.nepaminers.com; tickets to this weekend’s game may be purchased online or at The Mall at Steamtown customer service desk. Saturday night will be a great opportunity to enjoy an affordable night of action packed entertainment and bring our local community together at a Miners game. Go Miners! 
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