Photo by Kim North International Football Alliance Director of Operations Jason Adams, right, is pictured with Ohio Valley Ironmen Head Coach/General Manager Manny Matsakis during the team’s ‘Meet and Greet’ Monday night at Generations Restaurant and Pub in Wheeling. The team will make its debut this summer.

WHEELING — The Ohio Valley Ironmen held their first public appearance Monday night during a ‘Meet and Greet’ at Generations Restaurant and Pub.

The Ironmen are an 11-on-11 outdoor professional football team and are members of the International Football Alliance. Ohio Valley is the seventh — and final — team in the league, for now, which will begin play in June.

Other teams in the league include the Dallas Pioneros, San Antonio Caballeros, Tampa Tornadoes, Baltimore Lightning, Alabama Beavers and Chihuahua Rebellion.

Ohio Valley Head Coach/General Manager Manny Matsakis introduced those in attendance to the league’s Director of Operations, Jason Adams.

When asked why Wheeling, Adams didn’t hesitate in explaining the thought process.

“Wheeling meets the mission of our league … blue-collar, hard-working, community involvement. We want to make an impact in our communities,” he said. “Not every place is a Dallas metropolis, those are unique areas. Geographically, we have a team in Baltimore, Ohio and Alabama.

“There are blue-collar states with football and Ohio is one of them,” Adams added. “This whole region is one of them. Ohio, Texas, California, Pennsylvania and Alabama. We have three of them right now.

“We have a coach that is right from the Ohio Valley’s backyard in Coach Matsakis,” Adams continued. “It only makes sense. This guy is from here and he has coached at the higher levels of football. Give him a chance to give back to his neighborhood. I truly think he can make a difference.”

Matsakis’ resume speaks for itself.

He’s had NCAA Division I stops at Kansas State, Texas Tech and Wyoming on the collegiate level and Winnipeg of the Canadian Football League.

“The closest outdoor football team around here is the Pittsburgh Steelers. We are not trying to compete with them, we’re trying to give guys the chance of playing at that level one day,” Adams added.

“The Ohio Valley really checks all of our boxes,” Adams stressed. “This is a football region. So let’s give them the opportunity to be seen on a world’s stage. We have broadcasting rights that will air games live all over the world. The people in Wheeling will be seen. There’s a lot of talent in this region that can compete, let’s give them the opportunity.”

Adams said it was a no-brainer in seeking Ohio Valley as the seventh team in the league.

“The Ohio Valley is truly a blueprint area. If I could, I’d like to replicate this area, I truly would.”

Adams also said the league would likely expand to 10 teams after 3-5 years.

Former San Diego Chargers’ linebacker Shawne Merriman is involved with the league. His live streaming company, Lights-Out Sports TV, will carry IFA games, and he will host a weekly coach’s show, according to Adams.

“He is very quietly building a sports media empire,” Adams said of Merriman. “We are very excited to be a part of what he has going on.”

Matasakis announced that Val Gunn has been named as the team’s Vice President of Operations.

“He’s a tremendous coach. He’s coached in the European League and he’s been at Texas A&M. He’s been a friend of mine for a while,” Matsakis said. “In his duties he’ll be the guy working with the uniform companies, getting our tickets worked out, etc.”

Matsakis said he will wait to name his coaching staff until after the holiday season.

“I’ve been swamped with inquiries from guys wanting to know about the team and the league,” he admitted. “Most of the guys in this league are high-level coaches.”

Art Briles, former Baylor head coach, is the Dallas head coach and Hal Mumme, former coach at Kentucky, is the head coach of San Antonio.

No definite stadium has been announced as the Ironmen’s home facility, but Matsakis said that announcement isn’t far off.

“We’ve met with a school administration and we think we have a deal done, but we’re still working out some minor details,” Matsakis said. “We might do scrimmages at different high school stadiums for different causes. We want to work with our community in being interactive.”

Matsakis also said training camp will begin in May.

A tryout will be held for prospective players on Sunday at Fleming Field in Shadyside from 1-4 p.m.

“I’ve had about 10 inquiries so far. I’m looking for some local guys to have on this team.”