Friday, February 12, 2010 — Today Indoor Football League Commissioner Tommy Benizio officially kicked off the 2010 IFL season at Kent’s ShoWare Center, home of the Kent Predators, one of two new IFL expansion teams.
“This is a great game and we can’t wait to unveil it,” Commissioner Benizio said. “We are real pleased to grow here in Kent.”
Benizio was one of half a dozen speakers at today’s press conference called by the Kent Predators to introduce Benizio, Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke, owners Chris Kokalis and Ken Moninski, VP of Football Operations Brian Brents, Head Coach William McCarthy, the Kent Predators football team and dance team.
“Welcome Kent,” Mayor Cooke said. “We are going to be a great team together. I love wolves and I love purple. We’re going to beat everybody!”
Ken Moninski, co-owner of the team, said the team is excited to call the new ShoWare Center home and welcomed everyone to come watch the fan-friendly game.
“We’re going to make the city proud,” he said. “The support here is phenomenal. We’ll have a very successful season on and off the field.”
Co-owner Kokalis agreed, citing the team’s commitment to the City of Kent and his enthusiasm about the staff, players, team and community partnerships. 
“We’re going to make Kent the best community in the state of Washington,” Kokalis added.
Brents, who took the El Paso Generals to a 12 and 2 season in 2009, serves as the Kent Predators VP of Football Operations. He, too, showed his support of the team and community.
“This is exciting, y’all!”
One of Brents’ first tasks was to hire head coach William McCarthy, who previously served as assistant coach to the El Paso Generals. McCarthy said the community would love the fast-paced game and encouraged the crowd to attend the team’s first practice during training camp this Sunday at Wilson Playfields (132nd and 248th on Kent’s East Hill).
Defensive back Kevin Jones, who played football for Kentwood High School, said he is anxious to start the season.
“We’re playing this game not just for ourselves but for the whole community,” Jones said. “I’m glad to be home!”
The team’s first game is an away game on February 28 against the Billings Outlaws, the 2009 defending champions of the United Bowl. The Predators’ first home game will be at ShoWare Center on Friday, March 12.
“We’d like to put a sellout here,” Kokalis said.
For more information about the Kent Predators, visit the team online or contact Jim Granacker, VP of operations, at 253-239-3254.

Kent Predators Receiver Eric "Shampoo" Taylor and Mayor Suzette Cooke