Embargoed: For Release November 11, 2015 Contact: Terrence Williams 310-591-6473 or [email protected]

New Arena Football Team Announces Team Name and Coach

“Community vote selects team name and ownership selects former Orchard View grad and current Kalamazoo College assistant football coach to lead team”

MUSKEGON, MI November 10, 2015 – The Community has spoken and the new West Michigan Arena Football Team will kick off their inaugural season in the spring of 2016 as the WEST MICHIGAN IRONMEN.

The name was selected through an open community vote conducted in October. Ironmen was one of five options the public was given and is a tribute to Muskegon's rich history of industry; including the tuff and proud grey iron foundry workers - they were West Michigan's Iron Men.

The WEST MICHIGAN IRONMEN will play its home games at the L.C. Walker Arena starting in March. The game schedule is expected to be announced in late November. They will play a 10-game schedule with six homes games. The American Indoor Football League plays eight-man football and is known for its high octane, high energy, go, go , go style of play.

The team has also named 1985 Orchard View High School grad and former Western Michigan University 2 sport athlete Tyrese Lynk as the team’s first head coach. Lynk has a long coaching history, most recently as a member of the Kalamazoo College coaching staff, where he has had 5 of his wide receivers receive national accolades including trips to the senior bowl all-star game.

“My goal is to put a product on the field that will be very competitive and families can come out and see a great football team.” said Lynk. “Muskegon is a great city and the LC Walker arena is a great venue and I’m excited to return to my roots.”

Lynk currently resides in Kalamazoo with his wife Kelly and their 3 children Justin, Jessica, and Jillian. West Michigan native, current Los Angeles based sports & entertainment attorney, Terrence (TJ) Williams secured the rights to bring a team to West Michigan as a member of the American Indoor Football League (AIF). The AIF is the largest and longest continuously running, arena football league in the country. The league is comprised of 21 teams, with a national geographic footprint.

“West Michigan boasts a strong history of football success. From little league stars and high school perennial powers to players receiving Division I college scholarships, West Michigan has been and is a football powerhouse, “said Williams. “ Now, the area will shine on the national stage with the launch of West Michigan's only professional football team. We strive to provide the highest level of competition and entertainment at an affordable price for the whole family.”

Terrance Williams is the co-founder, along with Dr. Nick VandenBosch, of the very successful Muskegon All Star Classic, the only High School All Star Football game in the area. The proceeds from the All Star Classic are directed to the WV Foundation, organized by Williams and VandenBosch, to fund scholarships to high school seniors. The WV foundation has awarded nearly $50,000 in scholarships since 2012.