THE HERALD
by Herald Staff

Posted on Sat, Jan. 21, 2006

Gladiators hope fans flock to field

Edrick Sweeting is a believer in home-field advantage.

The Bradenton Gladiators president/receiver/safety is confident the team will thrive in its new environment at John Kiker Memorial Stadium on the campus of Southeast High.

The 1992 Southeast graduate and his teammates begin their 2006 Southern States Football League campaign at 7:05 tonight against the expansion Treasure Coast Pirates. Head coach Eddie Starling's Gladiators are attempting to rebound from a 4-7 season that ended with a 17-14 playoff loss against Fort Pierce.

Tickets are $7, and children 5-and-under are admitted free. Parking is $2.

After playing to average crowds of 200 or so most of last season at the Police Athletic League Sports Complex, Sweeting is hoping for a crowd between 700-800.

"Having that home-field crowd behind you elevates the team to another level," Sweeting said. "I think playing in a bigger arena will make our players feel they have to perform at a higher level.

"We're expecting a big crowd, and winning games will allow us to maintain that kind of attendance. It's very important for us to get off to a quick start and deliver a strong product because people enjoy following a winning team."

Sweeting said the Gladiators are reaching out to the community by distributing about 200 free tickets to various youth organizations and youth football players who attended a Gladiators summer camp.

For fans, tonight's game represents a chance to renew acquaintances with such former area high school standouts as quarterback Tony Hale; receivers Bon Bean and Mike Mills; cornerbacks Demetrius Craddock and Anthony Rawls; safety Thomas Jefferson; and linebacker Chris Peterson.

Sweeting and Starling also have high hopes for newcomers such as running back Joseph Patoray and defensive lineman D.J. Anneaud, a recent Southeast graduate.

The Manatee County School Board is charging the Gladiators $125 an hour for use of Southeast's facilities for five home games, plus a custodial charge of $22 an hour. Part of the cost is offset by a $250 player fee.

Members of Southeast High's Junior ROTC program will operate the concession stands during regular-season home games and reap the profits from sales of concessions.

"Lack of parking and seating (at PAL) were complaints we got from our fans," Sweeting said. "They enjoyed the games, but they couldn't always see the action with people standing along the fence. This gives us more control over fans enjoying the games the way they want."

If it gives the Gladiators more control against opponents, Bradenton will have a team worthy of its aspirations.

BRADENTON HERALD
by Jim Brockman

Posted on Sun, Jan. 23, 2005

The Bradenton Gladiators picked up where their predecessors left off.

The now defunct Manasota Stars won the 2001 championship of the United Football League of Florida before going belly-up. The Gladiators, Bradenton's newest semi-pro football team, just needed a little more time to get the job done Saturday night at Venice High School.

The Gladiators didn't beat the rain, but they did beat the Venice Vikings 27-21 in overtime in their Southern States Football League debut.

Armed with a roster loaded with ex-Manatee County high school stars, the night belonged to former Southeast Seminoles such as quarterback Antonio Hale.

Hale scored the game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard sneak with 10 minutes, 16 seconds remaining in overtime.

A pleasant evening turned into a wet one as the Gladiators appeared to be putting together a winning drive with two minutes to go in the fourth quarter when the skies opened up. Instead of scoring, Bradenton lost the ball on a fumble, its fifth turnover.

However, the Gladiators overcame their mistakes to come away with a victory.

Hale scored on another 1-yard run in the first quarter and passed for 194 yards.

Bradenton's other two touchdowns also belonged to former Seminoles. Anthony Rawls capped a monstrous drive that ate up more than 11 minutes of the third quarter with a 1-yard run on 4th-and-goal.

Thomas Jefferson scored Bradenton's other TD on a 5-yard fumble return late in the third quarter.

HERALD TRIBUNE FOOTBALL
by Alan Dell

Posted on Thu, Jul. 22, 2004

Manatee County's newest football team, the Bradenton Gladiators, will open its inaugural season in the Southern States Football League Jan. 22, 2005 .

The Gladiators will play in the American Conference West Division, which includes the St. Petersburg Sharks, the four-time defending league champs.

Edrick Sweeting, Gladiators founder and president, expects to put a strong product on the field because of all the talent around Manatee County . But he says the team was created to do more than just win football games.

"We are looking to give kids around here an opportunity to showcase their football skills and get a scholarship to college," said Sweeting, a 1992 Southeast High graduate.

The Gladiators debut on the road against the Venice Vikings. The 16-team league season runs through the end of March and then has a four- week playoff.

The Gladiators will work in conjunction with the Manatee County Police Athletic League and play their games at the PAL Sports Complex at First Street and 13th Avenues.

"We are establishing a scholarship program and our focus is to get young adults back into school," said Sweeting. "There is a lot of talent in this area, and I hate to see it go to waste.

"There are kids who didn't get that look you need by colleges or others who decided not to go to college for various reasons."

Ed Starling, who works for the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and is an assistant football coach at Southeast High, will be the Gladiators head coach. His staff is expected to include, Joe Hammond, defensive coordinator at Southeast High, and Robert "Pig" Goff, who played with the NFL's Tampa Bucs and Tampa Bay Storm, of the Arena Football League. Robby Stevenson, a former kicker for Manatee High and the University of Florida , is also expected to coach.

The Gladiators will hold a combine and tryouts on Oct. 16 at Southeast High from 9 a.m. to noon . It is open to anyone, who has used up their high school eligibility.

Sweeting notes that the SSFL is a minor league, not semi-pro, which means none of the players get paid and therefore retain their college eligibility. Each player will pay a fee of about $200 to $250, which will help defray operating costs he estimates to be around $25,000 to $35,000.

"We hope to generate money through sponsors, donations and concessions," Sweeting said. "We have some verbal commitments and are definitely up and running."

The 29-year-old Sweeting quarterbacked the former Manasota Stars of the United Football League, but doesn't know if his duties will allow him to play.

All of the SSFL teams are based in Florida . Included in the league are teams from St. Petersburg , Miami , Orlando, Tampa , West Palm Beach and two from Jacksonville .

The Gladiators will play their second game on the road against the Cape Coral Fear on Jan. 29. The team's first home game is Feb. 5 against the St. Petersburg Sharks. Tickets will be priced at $7, $5 in advance.

Bradenton will play in the same division with St. Petersburg, Venice and Cape Coral .

BRADENTON HERALD
by Mike Henry

Posted on Sat, Jul. 24, 2004

Southeast High graduate Edrick Sweeting's vision for the minor league Bradenton Gladiators extends beyond the playing field.

The Gladiators are the newest entry in the Southern States Football League, a 16-team circuit based entirely in Florida that begins its fifth season Jan. 22, 2005 .

None of the league's players are paid. Bradenton is a member of the SSFL's AFC West Division, which includes the four-time league champion St. Petersburg Sharks, the Venice Vikings and the Cape Coral Fear.

Sweeting, a 29-year-old accountant with FCCI Insurance Group in Sarasota , spearheaded the effort to bring a team to the area. He serves as president of the not-for-profit organization, but the former Bethel ( Kan. ) College receiver plans to participate in the team's combine and tryouts Oct. 16 at Southeast.

"I still can play. There's no doubt about that one," Sweeting said.

Three years ago, the 6-foot, 185-pound speedster led the semi-pro Manasota Stars to the championship of the United Football League of Florida.

More than being a vehicle for former high school and college players to relive past glories and get physical, Sweeting believes the Gladiators can make a positive impact in the community.

"I see this as an opportunity for people to bridge the gap between youth and young adult and help them do something with their lives," Sweeting said.

The SSFL season runs from late January through the end of April, giving quality players a second chance to be noticed by college or junior college recruiters whose seasons are finished. Sweeting said that will motivate some to further their education or take the necessary steps toward eligibility.

Sweeting also foresees the Gladiators reaching out to the next generation.

"The whole thing is not just to play quality football, but showing a commitment to developing the community. We plan to have mentor programs for at-risk youth, host service activities such as adopt-a-highway and registering people to vote, and form a scholarship program for anyone seeking a college degree," he said.

Sweeting, the primary financial investor to date, has formed a board of trustees consisting of himself; vice president and head coach Eddie Starling, a veteran of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office; and secretary-treasurer Patricia Johnson.

Southeast defensive coordinator Joe Hammond, former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Pig Goff and former Manatee High and Florida kicker Robby Stevenson are expected to be on Starling's staff.

"They definitely have the kind of internal support you need to be competitive," SSFL Commissioner Dave Rice said. "I've met the staff, and they're fired up, and that area is a hotbed of football talent."

The Gladiators will play their home games at the Police Athletic League Sports Complex at 202 13th Ave. E. Bradenton 's first scheduled home contest is Feb. 5 against the Sharks.

Pre-registration for the Oct. 16 combine is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Aug. 7 at the PAL Sports Complex. For details, call 320-7576 or visit mhenry@bradentonherald.com
www.bradenton- gladiators.com on the Internet.

Football is coming to Bradenton

Mike Henry , sports writer, can be reached at
745-7080, ext. 2112,
or mhenry@bradentonherald.com .

THE HERALD
by Herald Staff

Posted on Sun, Mar. 6, 2005

Dominic Fragomeni kicked a 36-yard field goal with 1 minute, 35 seconds remaining in overtime, leading the host Bradenton Gladiators of the minor league Southern States Football League to a 17-14 victory against the Cape Coral Fear at the Police Athletic League Sports Complex.

James Shelley scored on a 3-yard run, and quarterback Edrick Sweeting hooked up with Bon Bean on a 21-yard touchdown pass for the Gladiators (4-3), who led 14-6 at halftime.

Bean's touchdown was set up by an interception late in the first half by linebacker Chris Peterson, who returned the ball to the Cape Coral 23-yard line.

The Fear (3-4) tied the game with 8:34 remaining on a 14-yard pass from Reggie Causey to Joseph Kearse, their second touchdown connection of the game, and a two-point conversion run.

Peterson made a big play in overtime, sacking Causey for a 4-yard loss on 4th-and-3 from the Gladiators' 26.

BRADENTON HERALD
by Mike Henry
www.heraldtoday.com

Posted on Sat, Jan. 22, 2005

Judging from his performance in practice, chances are good receiver-defensive back Mike Mills will be noticed by scouts when the minor league Bradenton Gladiators make their Southern States Football League debut tonight against the Venice Vikings.

But the Bayshore High graduate, who played last season with the Green Bay Blizzard of the arenafootball2 league, has purer motives for playing in the not-for-pay SSFL.

"I love football, you know what I'm saying, and I love guys who love it like I love it," said the 28-year-old Mills, who speaks almost as fast as he runs.

"From age 8 until we stop playing, we take pride in Manatee County football. It's always been the best, and it's always going to be the best."

Team founder and president Edrick Sweeting, head coach Eddie Starling and the Gladiators' staff have assembled a 56-player roster for the Manatee-Sarasota area's latest minor-league football foray. The Gladiators were preceded by the Manasota Stars, who won the 2001 championship of the United Football League of Florida.

The Gladiators' lineup includes such former area standouts as Antonio Hale, Anthony Rawls and James Shelley of Southeast, Jason Hackley and Bonshavior Bean of Manatee and Demetrius Craddock and Reginald Nelson of Palmetto.

While Mills' dream of playing for a living remains intact, it's more important to know Mills lives to play.

"When you're playing for the love, you always play harder. You may lose a step or two, but what you lose you gain up here," he said, pointing to his temple. "You've got to understand your body ain't the same every year. So you've got to learn a new way to win."

The Gladiators are one of four first-year SSFL franchises, along with the North Florida Rams (Jacksonville), the Gainesville Thunder and the East Coast Reapers (West Palm Beach).

Although confidence is high among the Gladiators, Sweeting said the expansion franchise is not as far along as he'd like in the conditioning department.

"If I had to rate it on a scale of 1-to-10, I'd probably have to give us a 6½ or 7," said Sweeting, a receiver and quarterback who missed two practices this week because of his job as an accountant.

"Players who haven't done this in a while need to get back in shape. You don't want to peak too early. There is always room for improvement."

Linebacker ZeZe Singleton, a 1992 Southeast graduate, might fall into that category. The former Manasota Star returns to minor league football after sitting out two seasons.

The hardest thing to get used to?

"Being able to breathe while I play," the 31-year-old said.

But he's making the adjustment.

"I guess it's the self-satisfaction of playing the game. And the togetherness, the unity. Once you jell as a team, it's a nice feeling," Singleton said.

In Venice, the Gladiators face a second-year SSFL entry that was 3-7 last season. Head coach Rich Deto expects vast improvement and advises Gladiators fans to expect intense, fast-paced action.

"These guys don't get paid, so there's nothing you can take from them," Deto said.

The game begins at 7:05 p.m. at Venice High School.

According to American Football Association president Ron Real, who is based in Sarasota, the SSFL is one of 65 minor league football organizations in the United States. There are more than 700 teams throughout the country.

"It's a good, honest level of football," said Real, who believes the level is similar to Division II or III in college. "These are guys who are still trying to prove something. We have doctors and lawyers who play because they love the game, but they have to get up and go to work the next day."

"We find smaller communities have a greater following than in the big cities," said SSFL Commissioner Dave Rice. "Many players are former local high school heroes who are in their town's work force but still want to play football instead of golf.

"A lot of the teams are like big families, and when their friends and co-workers come to the games, it becomes a nice community event."

The Gladiators must resist the urge to look ahead to their first home game against the St. Petersburg Sharks on Feb. 5 at the Police Athletic League Sports Complex.

The Sharks are the only champion the 16-team SSFL has had in its four years of existence. St. Petersburg's 2002 league champions played the Puget Sound (Wash.) Jets for the national minor league championship at Sarasota High, losing 29-15 to the western champs.

"(The SSFL) is almost like professional football," opined Sharks coach Torryan Gammage. "Some of these guys got bad breaks through life and are still living the dream. It's like a second chance for a lot of guys."

By MIKE HENRY

When he formed the Bradenton Gladiators three years ago, Southeast High graduate Edrick Sweeting vowed the minor-league football team would reach out to underprivileged and at-risk youth in the community.

Sweeting and the Gladiators have fulfilled their mission by establishing a college scholarship fund, donating educational supplies and conducting youth camps and mentor programs. Now, they're taking steps to spread that philosophy throughout Florida.

Sweeting and fellow owners Terrence Page Sr. of the Miami Magic City Bulls and Chris McIntosh of the East Coast (Delray Beach) Reapers recently announced the formation of the 12-team Florida Football Alliance, which will begin its inaugural season Jan. 19.

The Gladiators, Bulls and Reapers were among eight teams to pull out from the established Southern States Football League (the North Florida Rams and the First Coast Generals of Jacksonville have merged into the Duval Panthers). They will be joined by five first-year franchises.

The creation of a new league leaves the SSFL with five teams, including the Sarasota Millionaires. Miami won the 2007 SSFL title. The FFA intends to operate as a non-profit organization, with Page as president and Sweeting (who plays safety on defense) as chairman of the board.

Sweeting said the FFA was formed to give team owners more input into regulations and procedures. The SSFL operates under the direction of Commissioner Dave Rice.

"The way we have it set up, we think the teams will take a little more pride in what they do from an organizational standpoint," Sweeting said. "We wanted to basically create a league that is for the teams, and each team will have a vote when rules get changed and decisions are made.

"This is something we had talked about before but never pursued. It got to the point where the interest was there, and we decided we could do it, so we filed the entity papers to get the league and the teams to hit the ground running."

The Gladiators, who defeated the West Coast (Hernando County) Bears and the Polk County War Eagles in a jamboree last week in Fort Myers, are also moving their home games from Southeast to Palmetto High.

The Gladiators, who open at the West Coast Bears, play their first home game at 7:05 p.m. on Jan. 26 against the War Eagles.

Former defensive coordinator Wendell Faison will replace Eddie Starling as the Gladiators head coach. Starling, the head junior varsity coach at Southeast and director of the Police Athletic League youth football program, will serve as a team vice president and president of the FFA's coaches association.

"We have a lot of respect for the SSFL," Starling said. "We chose to go to the FFA for management and organizational reasons."

One drawback to the move is that the Gladiators-Millionaires rivalry has been put on hold. The teams met three times last year, with the Gladiators winning both regular-season games before the Millionaires eked out an 8-6 victory in the playoffs.

For details, visit http://www.ffafootball.com

If giving back is a testament to a person's character and it speaks volumes; the Bradenton Gladiators
continue to turn the radio up.

After coaches, players, staff and volunteers from the Bradenton Gladiators’ minor league football
program sweated it out July 17-19 during their second annual Bradenton Gladiators Youth Football
Mini Camp; the Gladiators’ organization is back at it doing boundless good deeds for the betterment
of our youth.

The Gladiators will give away “Gladiators’ School Packs” on August 11, 2007 at the Manatee
County School Board. The school board is located at 215 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL
34205. The packs will include backpacks filled with school necessities such as paper, pencils,
crayons, markers, notebooks and much, much more. The giveaway will begin at 9:00am and the
packs will be distributed on a first come first serve basis.

School supplies are needed more than ever as the list of required materials lengthens. Families spend
an estimated $50 to $200 or more each year on supplies, depending on the children's ages. There are
many children whose families do not have the resources to properly equip them for school.
“If children don’t have the proper supplies, they cannot do their schoolwork or homework. This
makes it difficult for them to achieve academic success” says Gladiator President Edrick Sweeting.
“To do our part the Bradenton Gladiators will provide children attending elementary and middle
schools in Manatee County with free school supplies before they begin the 2007-2008 school year.”
“The Bradenton Gladiators focus on growth and helping our youth and young adults of today. We
want to motivate them and continue to give them some kind of awareness that there are positive
things out there for them and people who care,” Sweeting said.