Eureka football alums Minehan, Schmidgall ink pro deals with Bloomington Edge
BLOOMINGTON, Ill
. – Former Eureka College football All-Americans Mike Minehan and Wes Schmidgall
have each signed professional contracts with the Bloomington Edge of the Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL). Both players, who currently serve the Eureka football program as assistant coaches, participated in a tryout last month and will report to preseason camp in late February.
Minehan, who was a preseason D3ProDay.com All-American in 2011, played three seasons for the Red Devils after transferring from NAIA McKendree prior to the 2009 season. He was a three-time All-UMAC selection, including First Team choices in 2010 and 2011, and a three-time UMAC Defensive Player of the Week. He led the Red Devils in total tackles in 2010 and again in 2011, as his 314 career tackles are the most on record by a Eureka defensive back. His final career totals also include five interceptions and 1,462 return yards. Minehan is expected to contribute to the Edge on both of sides of the ball.
Like Minehan, Schmidgall transferred to Eureka prior to the 2009 season after playing his freshman season at NAIA Culver-Stockton. Schmidgall went on to have one of the most decorated careers by a Eureka wide receiver, compiling 182 receptions, 3,411 yards and 42 receiving touchdowns from 2009 through 2011. Each total ranks second in program history behind fourth-year Eureka head coach Kurt Barth. Schmidgall's 73 catches in 2011 were a single-season Eureka record, breaking Barth's mark of 72 set in 1996.
Schmidgall earned postseason All-America honors from D3ProDay.com and Beyond Sports College Network in 2011. He was ultimately a three-time All-UMAC First Team selection, a two-time UMAC Offensive Player of the Week and an All-Region honoree from D3Football.com in 2011.
Both Minehan and Schmidgall recently completed their first seasons as assistants on Barth's staff. Minehan coached defensive backs, while Schmidgall directed the Red Devils' wide receiver corps.
“We are very happy for Mike and Wes as they get an opportunity to continue playing football,” Barth said. “They are going to play for a great organization that does things right on and off the field. They are outstanding representatives of our program and I look forward to watching their progress in the CPIFL.”
The CPIFL features 10 teams throughout the Midwest and will begin its inaugural season next month. The Edge, which previously competed as the Bloomington Extreme in the United Indoor Football League (UIFL) and the Indoor Football League (IFL), will open the 12-game campaign on Friday, March 15 against the Sioux City Bandits at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington.
The Edge is coached by former Eureka quarterback Kenton Carr. Carr started under center for the Red Devils in 1992, as his 119 completions that fall were a single-season program record until 1994 and currently rank 10th in single-season program history. He also compiled 1,702 yards of total offense in 1992, 10th-most in single-season Eureka history.