This Pirates-QC Story Is Not ON Videotape – It’s ABOUT Video Tape
Steve Robinson
Saturday June 1, 2002
As with the end of most contests, the two head coaches, unless there is some underlying animosity between them, usually shake hands at midfield before either celebrating or licking wounds.
Following that May 10 final gun, however, Ingold passed on shaking hands with Cowdrey, instead, opting to get back into his team’s dressing room.
“I went out to midfield, just like coaches always do,” Cowdrey said. “And (Ingold) just turned around and went in toward (his locker room). I don’t know how else to explain it, other than the fact that I went out there and he didn’t.”
For his part, Ingold said, “I didn’t think there was a written rule (mandating handshakes). It was nothing against Bruce Cowdrey.”
But something was brewing prior to that game which had been rumored about prior to the opening kickoff.
As a courtesy, the Pirates send game tape to their next opponent, usually using an overnight mailing service.
According to Jim Preston, Pirates director of football operations, Ingold called the Pirates’ office to complain that there was no tape in the overnight package Quad City had been sent.
“We mailed the tape the Monday before the Quad City game, but the Steamwheelers said there were statistics but no tape in the package,” Preston said.
“I thought we had a tape in there, and we’ve never had this kind of problem before,” Preston disclosed. “(Ingold) called and the tape was not in the package, and so, we sent a tape out to him the next day.”
“Everything that happened off the field (prior to Friday) was blown out of proportion in other media reports,” Ingold said of stories written in the Quad Cities about the incident. “I don’t want to get caught up in the sideshow. I don’t ever want to come across as having anything against Bruce Cowdrey. I won’t ever say anything against Bruce Cowdrey.
“Next time though,” Ingold said about future interviews, “I’ll keep my comments close to the vest.”
Preston said last week, and Ingold confirmed earlier this week, that there was no problem receiving Peoria’s game tape from the Pirates’ 72-20 thrashing of Louisville.
Steve Robinson, a freelance writer since 1984, has written about the Peoria Pirates since the Pirates were members of Indoor Football League, beginning in 1999. He covers the Pirates currently for the Bloomington IL Pantagraph.
