IE Meerkats, more than just a football team |
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They practice under the blistering San Bernardino sun; the heat matched only by the burning anticipation their mothers, wives, daughters, sons, grandparents and others have who look on. They are the inherent fan base of the Inland Empire Meerkats, one of the first semi-pro football teams to play in San Bernardino.
Owned by local philanthropist and community member Shawn Mitchell, the Meerkats are the newest expansion team added to the Lawrence Community Football League (LCFL) Western Conference, the West Division of the Gridiron Developmental Football League (GDFL).
The team was conceived through Mitchell’s co-ed community sports league, Glory Road Athletics (GRA). What began as a simple 8-on-8 flag football squad has now become a full-sized semi-pro team with a near 40-man roster made up of former local high school and collegiate athletes, as well as former Arena Football League talents primarily from the Inland Empire.
Regardless of skills and ability, Mitchell maintains that this program is for the benefit of the players as well as the community, “We are going to set a good example. What we are doing is more than a sport,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell sees the Meerkats as a second chance for a lot of his players, and a platform for advancing their goals and dreams.
With some recruited through Craigslist ads, the players admit the biggest challenge they face is “getting people together,” as lineman CJ Montano puts it. For the Meerkats, “together” encompasses more than just coordinating the actual practices themselves, but also the struggle in collaborating everyone’s talent into a cohesive and formidable football force on the field.
IE Meerkats, more than football for our community
 The Meerkats practice running offensive drills.
Most of these football players have unrivalled responsibilities off the field, be it jobs to keep or families to love and maintain. Finding practice time in between competing commitments can be difficult, especially when that is coupled with the need to advance the development of the team.
“My goal is to make it pro,” said free safety, defensive captain, and former San Bernardino High School varsity football player Antoine Osborn. Even with it being the Meerkat’s inaugural season Osborn has made it clear that he is ready to win, “We got a lot of new guys and a lot to work with. I hope to accomplish a championship.”
The player’s talent level varies across the roster, some of them have never competed in a regulation football game. Offensive coordinator Rick Fabro is embracing his own role as a mentor for this striving group of competitors.
“It’s a blessing to help this team do their best. This is a building process…we have a bunch of young guys with a lot of talent,” said Fabro.
The Meerkats next home game is Sept. 15 versus the Valley Predators at Arroyo High School football field.
Visit inland-empire-meerkats.org for all team news and information.
To get involved with the Meerkats or Shawn Mitchell’s other community organizations, call his office at (909) 556-7392.
--Louis Penna
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