June 1, 2004

Former Northern Illinois Lineman Rasche Hill Assigned To AF2 Quad City Steamwheelers

DeKALB, IL --- Former Northern Illinois University defensive lineman Rasche Hill (Pronunciation: RAY-shay) is back in Arena Football.

The 6-foot-5, 335-pound Hill joined the AF2 Quad City Steamwheelers just in time for this Saturday’s (June 5) showdown with the Louisville Fire, the top team in the league’s National Conference.

Steamwheelers head coach Rich Ingold made the announcement Tuesday (June 1).

Hill (Vernon Hills / Lincolnshire Stevenson), a Huskie letterman for head coach Joe Novak in both 1997 and 1998, was assigned to the Quad City franchise by the league office to shore up a depleted offensive and defensive line.

With three previous seasons of AF2 experience, Hill can help the Steamwheelers who stand 6-2 at mid-season with eight league contests remaining. At the same time, the Davenport-based club announced the acquisition of fullback / linebacker Elly Salamo. AF2 franchises operate with a 21-player roster.

Quad City plays Louisville inside the legendary Freedom Hall this weekend and hosts the Fire in its final regular-season AF2 date on July 31.

According to the 2004 Arena Football website, Hill became the third ex-Northern Illinois performer in the league this season---joining OL-DL Lamain Rucker of the Peoria Pirates and WR-DB Jon Pendergrass of the Indiana Firebirds.

In 24 previous AF2 appearances, Hill has recorded 37 career stops (16 solo), five tackles for loss, 1.5 QB sacks, two forced fumbles, a safety, three pass deflections, and QB hurry. During his career, he has played with the AF2 Iowa Barnstormers, the Peoria Pirates, and the Roanoke Steam. In fact, Hill made a touchdown reception for Roanoke in 2001. In 2002, he was a member of the 2002 ArenaCup champions from Peoria.

At Northern Illinois, Hill lettered as a frosh and a sophomore before running into academic difficulties. In 1998, he finished 20th in team tackles with 13 stops and earned one start vs. Central Florida. As a true frosh in 1997, he appeared in 10 Huskie contests and produced six stops.

As a prep senior, Hill made First-Team All-North Suburban Conference, Honorable Mention Daily Herald All-Area, All-Lake County, and Special Mention Champaign News-Gazette All-State on the NSC kingpins for coach Bill Mitz at Stevenson.

(For further information, please contact Mike Korcek) -NIU-