As posted in the Racine Journal Times on October 22, 2004

Erik Olson loves his wife and his two kids. He likes his job just fine. He probably has no problems with hot dogs or apple pie. But then there's football. 

Olson can't enough of the gridiron. His passion for the game borders on obsession, and he spent years trying to find a place where a 26-year-old who had his best days in high school could funnel his football fervor. 

Two years ago - and eight years after he last donned a helmet and pads in anger - Olson joined the Racine Threat, a semi-pro team made up of guys just like him: Guys who knew they would never make it in the NFL, who probably didn't play in college, but simply loved to play the game.

 "I love football. I love everything about it," said Olson, who plays linebacker for the undefeated Threat. "I love the traveling, I love the preparing for games. It's something I want to do as long as I can do it, as long as my body says yes."

So far, he's still in one piece with the Threat. The team was formed in 2002 and played in the Ironman Football League, a 9-man football league based in Milwaukee. This year the team switched to regular, 11-man football and joined the Wisconsin State Football League.

The team is 8-0 with two games left in their league schedule. Last weekend they traveled to Green Bay and beat the Green Bay Area Bobcats 50-25. The Threat have outscored their opponents 232-95, and appear to be a lock to make the WSFL playoffs, which begin in the last week of October. 

The Threat, who were 4-4 in the Ironman league last year and 5-4 in 2002, have put everything together this season, Olson said. 

"Our individual talent has been a little more consistent," Olson said. "I think we have tight group of guys who like to practice, who like to play, and like to have fun. We are a working-class football team that will not lay down for anyone." 

The team plays in the shadow of Racine's other semi-pro team, the Racine Raiders. The Threat respect the Raiders' organization, and know they can't compete at the Raiders' elite level. 

"The Raiders are like a dynasty," said Threat head coach Brett Beaugrand, who served as an assistant coach for the Wisconsin Riveters of the Womens' Professional Football League. "We know what they have built and what they have. They have been here for a long time. But what we're trying to do is trying to let fans in Racine know that there is another team in town. We offer another place where football fans can fulfill their football fix." 

And former football players, like Olson, can continue to fulfill their gridiron dreams. 

"We don't cut anyone," Olson said. "If you want to play, you can play. We welcome everyone, we can always use you. Not all of us are spring chickens anymore. We also wanted to show the city that there is another team here. There is another team for guys who love to play football and still have that competitive edge." 

Players in the WSFL must provide their own equipment, including helmets and pants. Teams played an entry fee of $200 plus $1,500 for officials expenses to join the league. The WSFL offers players a fun, organized and a non-profit environment, officials said. 

"This league is by football players, for football players," according to the league Web site. 

The WSFL has six teams split into two divisions. The Threat, the Milwaukee Invaders and the Bay View Beast make up the South division, while the Oostburg Rebels, Green Bay Area Bobcats, Milwaukee Krusherz are in the North division. 

Earlier this season Oostburg, a team that the Threat beat 16-8 Sept. 18, played the Racine Raiders at Horlick Field. They lost 45-4 on Aug. 28 before a rain-soaked crowd of 644. 

"It was pretty gutsy to play the Raiders, and you have to respect what they did," Olson said. "They got a measuring stick of where they are. We have talked about playing the Raiders, but I don't think we match up well with them at a lot of positions." 

While the Raiders attract players from all over the state and the Midwest, almost everyone on the Threat played high school ball in or near Racine. 

"We have guys from Park, Horlick, Case, a few from St. Catherine's and one from Union Grove," said Olson, who serves on the league's board of directors. "A lot of guys knew each other so we didn't really have to break the ice." 

Olson played for Park and made All-Southeast Conference second team. He tried to play at Carthage College, but things didn't work out. He went eight years without playing a down of football before he joined the Racine Threat. 

The rest of the roster includes former Park quarterback Ben Adrian, former Park wide receiver Alfredo Jackson, and former Horlick wide receiver Sam D'Alie (Horlick), who also plays for the Raiders. 

The team plays at the Pritchard Park football field, between Durand Avenue and 21st Street, and practices twice a week at Starbuck School. Olson would love to see the WSFL add more teams, and wants to secure Pershing Park as the Threat's homefield. 

"We're happy to be at Pritchard, but I think it would be great to use that field down by the lake and find a real home in Racine," he said. "I think we can contribute a lot to the community. We're providing entertainment for fans, and we're providing a place where guys who love to play the game can play in a great atmosphere." 

2004 RACINE THREAT RESULTS Aug. 15 Threat 34, Bay View Beast 13 Aug. 22 Threat 8, Milwaukee Invaders 6 Aug. 28 Threat 35, Milwaukee Krusherz 15 Sept. 12 Threat 30, Green Bay Bobcats 15 Sept. 18 Threat 16, Oostburg Rebels 8 Sept. 26 Threat 18, Milwaukee Krusherz 6 Oct. 3 Threat 41, Bay View Beast 6 Oct.10 Threat 50, Green Bay Bobcats 25. 

REMAINING SCHEDULE Oct. 16 at Oostburg Rebels (6 p.m.) Oct. 24 vs. Milwaukee Invaders (Noon at Pritchard Park, 2800 Ohio St. Admission is free.)  

Oct 22 2004 by Mark Feldmann - Racine Journal Times