Mark Ricker (American football)

Mark Ricker
refer to caption
Ricker playing arena football in 2004
No. 40, 53
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1968-10-29) October 29, 1968 (age 56)
Corpus Christi, TX
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:Theodore Roosevelt
(San Antonio, Texas)
College:Fresno State
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As an executive:
  • NAFL (1998-1999) Regional director
  • San Antonio Matadors (2000) Director of football operations
  • Austin Rattlers (2000-2002) General manager
  • San Antonio Steers (2007) Head coach and General manager
Career highlights and awards
2x NAFL champion

Mark Ricker is a former professional American football player, coach and executive. He has played, coached and been part of the front office staff of several professional football teams and leagues.

Early career

Ricker attended Theodore Roosevelt High School in San Antonio, Texas, where he was a three-year starter at linebacker. As a senior, he earned first team All-District and first team All-City honors and was selected to play in the San Antonio All-Star game.[1] As a wrestler, he was a two-time state finalist, two-time regional champion and would twice earn All-State honors, including a freestyle state championship. He was selected to the Roosevelt High School Wall of Honor for wrestling[1] A graduate of Fresno State, he was a wrestler and defensive back at the collegiate level in California. He wrestled at Bakersfield College and was a walk-on at Fresno State, before graduating with honors.[2][1]

Professional career

After coaching at the high school level in California and Texas, Ricker moved into the professional ranks by becoming part of the front office staff for the North American Football League. He would serve as a regional director and commissioner for the NAFL in 1998 and 1999.[3][4][5] He would then move on to become the director of football operations for the San Antonio Matadors of the Spring Football League in 2000. He then became the general manager for the Austin Rattlers of the North American Football League from 2000 to 2002. The Rattlers would win back to back NAFL championships in 2000 and 2001.[6] Ricker would return to the field to play arena football in 2004. He would play for the Texas Thunder of the American Professional Football League and would then sign with the Waco Marshals of the National Indoor Football League[6] In 2007, Ricker was named the head coach and general manager for the San Antonio Steers of the National Indoor Football League.[7][8][9] In 2008, he would play arena football for the Wichita Falls Diablos of the American Professional Football League and the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League training camp tryout, but was not signed.[6] Ricker was elected to the Minor League Football Hall of Fame.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c "BIO". MARK RICKER.
  2. ^ "Good track record in Lewis' favor" (PDF).
  3. ^ "Mark Ricker". January 22, 2000. Archived from the original on 2000-01-22.
  4. ^ "Mark Ricker". October 31, 2000. Archived from the original on 2000-10-31.
  5. ^ "SportsJuice.Com sports broadcasting for Semi-Pro, Amateur and minor league teams and leagues". January 15, 2000. Archived from the original on 2000-01-15.
  6. ^ a b c "PHOTOS". MARK RICKER.
  7. ^ "San Antonio Steers To Play Inaugural Game". OurSports Central. May 9, 2007.
  8. ^ "Steers Fall To Drillers". OurSports Central. May 13, 2007.
  9. ^ "2007 San Antonio Steers (NIFL) Football - Trading Card Database".
  10. ^ "MINOR LEAGUE FOOTBALL REPORT - (Denver, CO) - powered by LeagueLineup.com". www.leaguelineup.com.