The Scottsdale Gladiators Football team was an expansion team in the 2006 season. Co-Owners James Austin and Phil Feliciotto were once players for a team within the AzFL for several seasons. After months of debating and coming up with concepts of how they wanted a team structured, James and Phil decided it was in their best interest to form the Scottsdale Gladiators.
The purpose of the Gladiators is not only playing football but to give back to the community they represent. The team would like to open up doorways for many opportunities. The Gladiators and the AzFL will assist getting players back into school. We use the league as a platform for exposure to players that feel they would like to go back to school and possibly play football, but keep in mind, education comes first! If you feel that you have the passion and determination to excel in sports and want to receive an education at the same time, the AzFL can assist with those that are truly interested. Education is the most important thing in life to receive. Allow the AzFL to help you achieve this goal!
James and Phil would also like to incorporate community service for their players to participate in. One example is something known as the backpack challenge. James and Phil have seen the success first hand with this event through their company. The backpack challenge is aimed towards children that need assistance during the school year. Backpacks are filled with various assortments of school supplies for children that don't have a well-set life. Children are our future and assistance is always needed. Please support a great cause. Another example of an event we would encourage our players and league to participate in is the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation walk. These are just some examples of things we would encourage all players to participate in. There are things in life that are bigger than football. By giving back to the community and to those that need it more, the gesture will live a lifetime.
As mentioned previously, the Gladiators were formed for various reasons. As
an organization, James and Phil came up with specific ideas that needed to be
incorporated into their program if they wanted to be successful.
The first item on their agenda was to form a coaching staff. Due to a severe
knee injury in the 2005 season, Phil decided it was time to take full control
over the team and coach. He knew that a successful team is one that has coaches
that teach the fundamentals of football and have a game plan from week to week.
In addition, each unit on the team will go through repetition of plays to learn
all responsibilities on the field. With the assistance of an offensive co-coordinator,
defensive co-coordinator and special teams coach that don't play for the team,
the team has now formed a non-biased unit within itself. James and Phil know
it is hard to play and coach at the same time, that is why they decided to create
a coaching staff that sets the tempo for the team to follow.
The next item on their agenda was conditioning. It is proven that a well-conditioned
team will outlast any other team on the field that isn't conditioned. This is
why they chose the name Gladiator for their team name. A Gladiator will fight
to the very end and will always give their all. In terms of football, each player
must last all 4 quarters until the game clock reads 0:00. This year, the Gladiators
started their conditioning shortly after the 2005 season ended. They decided
to get a head start on the rest of the league. Each week, the team goes through
a series of agility and technique drills.
Another item on their agenda is discipline. Each player will become disciplined
when playing for this team. Penalties will cost a team the game. A well-disciplined
team has reduced errors and takes control of the there opponent when playing
on the same page. A well-disciplined team will show character, trust, loyalty
and honesty to all players and staff within the league.
Finally, commitment is the most important asset each player and coach must have when playing any type of organized sport, especially if you want to play or coach with the Gladiators. If you think you don't have this quality as a player or coach, the Gladiator organization would request you not to inquire about their team. Think of this team as you would with a job you work for. If you don't have commitment to work for a company, the probability of your employment most likely will not last long. This is the same case if you want to play or coach with the Gladiators. Only the committed are accepted into their family! We require each player and coach to give 100% of their time when attending practice and events. A well-disciplined and committed team will always show these attributes to its coaches, players and peers. Without these elements, there will be no team.
In their first season as a new team in the AzFL, the Scottsdale Gladiators finished their season with an 8-3 record, finishing the regular season with a 7 game winning streak. The team has improved greatly over the course of the year and learned the meaning of team work and committment. Currently in the offseason for 2006, the Gladiators Co-owners are making key organizational decisions to assist with the mission of the 2007 State Championships. The Gladiators have made some changes in the front office to bring in a new head coach. Phil Feliciotto has decided that after much rehab and conditioning on his knee, he is ready to resume the role of being a player once more and handing over the reins of head coach to Anthony Labarbera.
Anthony brings many years experience as a coach and player. He was once head coach and owner of the Phoenix Mercenaries. Anthony was also the head coach of the Flagstaff Hitmen. Anthony brings a lot of desire and football knowledge to an already strong team. With his drive and commitment to excellence, the Scottsdale Gladiators are looking for nothing less than a Championship season. With his assistance and knowledge of the game, the Scottsdale Gladiators are now in contention for the 2007 State Championship.
This is just the beginning of something good for the AzFL and the Scottsdale
community. The Gladiators team is looked upon as a business and a great family.
The image we will display will be in the most professional manner on and off
the field. If you feel that this is something you would like to be a part of
and have all the qualities necessary to meet these requirements, come join us
and our mission. Once you inquire, information about team fees, sponsorships
and league registration will be supplied.
On behalf of the owners, staff, players and league, we would like to take the
opportunity to thank you for visiting our web page www.GladiatorsFootball.com.
For more information, please click on this link Gladiators E-Mail