Vanloo signs with new United Indoor Football

Former Central Missouri State University football standout Jason Vanloo is getting his shot at the pros, as he has signed with the Peoria Roughriders of the new United Indoor Football.

Vanloo led the Mules and the MIAA in tackles with 124 (11.3 per game). He also shared the conference lead with three fumble recoveries and added 8.5 tackles for losses, an interception, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. His tackle total was the fourth-highest in school history, as he became the first Mule to record 100+ tackles since 1998. A second-team all-conference pick, he also was second-team on the D2footba.com All-Southwest Region squad.

Now in its inaugural season, United Indoor Football (UIF) is an 11-team league playing a 15-game schedule. It is made up of the Midwest, North, and South Divisions. According to its website, United Indoor Football, now in its first season of operation, “boasts three former league champions and five former conference champions. The 12 teams are considered some of the strongest indoor football teams in the country. Most of the teams in the UIF have at least four years of previous operating experience and have a proven track record of success both on and off the field.”

Formerly the Peoria Pirates, the Roughriders began life six years ago in the now-defunct Indoor Football League, playing in that league’s two-championship games and winning the Gold Cup in that league in 2000. The IFL was purchased in 2001. The football club then won the af2 Championship in 2002 and played in the arenaCup again in 2004 as the National Conference Champions. af2 was unwilling to relinquish the rights to the name and logo of the Pirates.

Peoria (2-2) is a member of the Midwest Division. Former Mules All-American Ken Bouie is also a member of the Peoria Roughriders.