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| 10/14/2008 10:02:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| Ryan Mayer (#52) is a 2002 graduate of Lakeland Union High School. The former All-Lumberjack Conference lineman is a member of the Madison Mustangs of the Independent Football League and was a member of the 2008 undefeated championship team. Mayer plays linebacker for the Mustangs who expect Mayer to play a large role on their defense again this season.
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Lakeland graduate part of championship run in IFL
Mayer’s football career continues with Madison Mustangs of the IFL
Having the ability and drive to carry onward with a gridiron tradition is something most high school football players leave in the locker room with their jersey after taking it off for the last time.
For 2002 Lakeland graduate Ryan Mayer, that wasn't enough. He needed more. More of the game he loved to play.
"I had always regretted passing up the chance to play D-3 football in college," Mayer said. "When I found out about the Mustangs, I was really excited to give it a shot."
His route, though atypical, has earned him the satisfaction and drive that he's been able to carry on past the typical 22 or 23 years of age which most college footballers hang it up for good.
As part of the 2008 Ironman Football League (IFL) Champion Madison Mustangs, Mayer says the fundamental aspects and competitive nature he experiences is very similar to what he would have expected college football to be like with some added intensity.
"After only playing in high school, playing with these guys was a whole new experience for me," Mayer said. "A lot of the guys played in college, even a few playing D-1, and we even had an ex-NFL player on the team. The game is a lot faster and less forgiving at this level, but I believe with all the working out I had been doing since I moved down to Madison, I was well prepared for the physical aspect of it."
The IFL is in its thirteenth season and what some say is equally impressive is that for 12of those years, there has been a Madison franchise in the league, making it the longest running franchise in the IFL.
The Mustangs began in 1998 when former Madison native Brent Harris formed the Pardeeville Seminoles.
Since their inception, they've been well renowned as one of the perennial powers in a league which is comprised mainly of teams from southeastern Wisconsin.
This season, the Mustangs ran off an impressive 12-0 (6-0) record on their way to winning the IFL league title, defeating the Roscoe Rush 23-13.
During that stretch, the Mustangs outscored their opponents by a combined 607-63. As of Sept. 14 we were the second ranked team in the nation as ranked by Minor League Football News.
To go along with the championship and national ranking, the team has also been invited to play in the American Football News AAA Semi- pro Football National Championship Game in Homestead, Fla., Jan. 17, 2009.
"This season was obviously a huge success for the team and it was a great experience for me as well," Mayer said. "I hope to keep it going with the Mustangs in 2009."
Making the jump
For Mayer, being a defensive lineman throughout his high school career was a given. Playing anywhere near the 200 mark as a prep player often puts most individuals as a staple in the trenches.
Once he decided to tryout for the Mustangs, Mayer knew he probably would be taking a step into a realm he maybe was not as experienced in at linebacker.
"The only problem was that in high school I played defensive tackle and offensive guard, but I definitely was not big enough to play on the line at this level." Mayer said. "I decided to try out for linebacker because I always preferred playing defense and I felt like I could be a good fit a linebacker."
According to Adam Smith, director of football operations and offensive coordinator for the Mustangs, they liked what they saw in Mayer immediately during the first round of tryouts. That trend continued throughout the season as Mayer became more familiar with his new-found position.
"We really like Ryan and what he brings to our defense," Smith said.
"We're looking for him to step up and challenge for starting LB spot next season."
Tryouts were something new for Mayer who up until that point in his life hadn't really been put on the spot and truly evaluated on a pure performance level. After making the cut while nearly half of those who tried out were sent home, Mayer was anxious to get going and anxious to continue learning the game from a new perspective.
"With over 100 guys trying out and only about 60 being kept, I ended up making the team, and practice started in April," Mayer said. "It took me a while to get the hang of playing my new position at outside linebacker, but with the help of my extremely knowledgeable and helpful teammates and coaches, the game started to slow down for me and throughout the season I think I greatly improved as a player."
In Mayer's stint this past season with the Mustangs, he ranked 11th overall in defensive points which is a combined statistic involving tackles, sacks, passes defensed, interceptions and touchdowns scored.
Mayer recorded 10 solo stops to go along with eight assists and four special teams tackles. He also recorded 1.5 tackles for loss, a pass defensed and an interception.
What is the IFL?
The Ironman Football League is a semi-pro league which was a thought turned into reality by Chris Chudada of Pewaukee.
In 1996, with the idea of forming and maintaining a thriving and profitable semi-pro football league, Chudada, who was only 20 years old at the time, researched and studied other leagues, and put together a list of objectives to form a structured league he believed would bring with it a strong football foundation.
Chudada knew that in order for a league to be successful, it must have more then just adults playing football. From there, he derived its purpose - which was to give young adults coming out of high school or college the opportunity to play organized, competitive football in a professional atmosphere.
"It is more than just some athletes getting together and playing contact football, it offers a stadium atmosphere and a professional brand of football that sets it apart from the rest," Chudada said.
The league itself stresses a strong involvement with its communities, especially the area youth. Players and coaches can often be seen helping out with charity events, fundraisers or visiting a children's hospital.
According to the IFL website, the league constantly upgrades every year with advancements in developing relationships with fans, local businesses, sponsors, cable providers, equipment suppliers, players and kids.
"The IFL is called the working man's NFL and we're proud to have that reputation," Chudada said.
Without any salary handed out to players, and very little earned by coaches or personnel, most all have jobs outside the league.
Most involved are your everyday people, police officers, businessmen, construction workers and family men who are not ready to close the chapter on their playing careers.
Ironman Football League teams
American Conference: Burlington Blue Devils, Rock County Gladiators, St. Francis Monarchs, McHenry County Pirates, Roscoe Rush and Wauwatosa Spartans. National Conference: Fond du Lac Crusaders, Spring City Cyclones, Muskego Hitmen, Madison Mustangs, New Berlin Panthers, West Allis Predators and Milwaukee Venom.
Doug Etten can be reached via email at detten@lakelandtimes.com.
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