Many were worthy to be a captain on the 2009 Muskego Hitmen football team.  This was evident by the number of players who received votes in this year's general election.  The strength of our team is in the fact that so many individuals exhibit the qualities of a captain.   To be eligible to be a captain, you have to A) Be in good standing with the team and B) Have been on the team for at least one season.  All players and coaches get to vote on who they choose to represent them as captains for the season.  All votes are counted equally.  That is, a coaches vote is worth the same weight as a player's vote.  This year, the top 6 vote getters will don the title of captain for the 2009 season.  To the players who were not voted as captains - we know you will continue to be leaders on and off the field and demonstrate the qualities of a champion.  To our 2009 captains - we congratulate you on an honor well-deserved.

Your 2009 Muskego Hitmen Captains are:

• Andrew Janatis
  
• Kevin Busch
  
• Kurt Bork
  
• Corey Sticker
  
• Brandon Blawat
  
• Mike Liebert
  

In addition, the Hitmen will continue to celebrate our "Hustle Player of the Week."  This player will be recognized for their efforts on and off the field each week, and will serve as an Honorary Captain for that week's game.  Our first player to receive this award in 2009 is...

Carmelo Velazquez

Carmelo has been the definition of a "team first" player the past two seasons with the Hitmen.  In 2008, he joined the Hitmen and found himself in an unfamiliar role.  At his previous team, he was a starter and a "go to" player at receiver.  When he got to the Hitmen, he was the "new kid on the block" and found himself playing behind 2008 IFL all-star receivers Warren Holloway and Fred Derocher.  Often, Carmelo didn't get the reps that he was used to, and it would have been easy for him to get frustrated and let it effect his team chemistry.  Instead, he turned it into a positive, using the time to make himself better, trying to learn from all the veterans on the team, and become a more well-rounded receiver. 

He set his sights on 2009.  In the off season, he worked very hard both on and off the field.  He worked a lot with quarterbacks and other receivers working on route running, catching, and timing.  He promoted the team, and was instrumental in bringing several key free agents over to the Hitmen.  He has worked very hard at practice, and earned himself a starting WR position.  Despite his new role, he continues to put the team first.  When he's out on the field, he gives 100%.  When he's on the sideline, he is 100% behind the guy who is in there for him.  Carmelo realizes that achieving team goals is what football is all about, and he looks to be a major contributor to achieving those goals in 2009.