Quad City Steamwheelers

Team Owner
qcsteamwheelers@gmail.com

 

General Manager
steamwheelers.destinybrown@gmail.com

Destiny Brown returns for her 7th season in the field of professional football. She is the youngest female General Manager in IFL history and has played a pivotal role in establishing a culture of excellence both on and off the field in the Quad Cities. Brown, Quad City native graduated from Davenport West High School in 2014 where she developed a love for playing basketball as a member of the Lady Falcons. She went on to play basketball at Black Hawk College where she became an Academic All-American for her dedication in the classroom and on the court. In 2016, Brown received the school's Commitment to Excellence award. Brown graduated from Black Hawk College magna cum laude with an Associate's Degree in Arts before transferring to the University of Iowa where she graduated with a degree in Sports and Recreation Management with an emphasis in Business Studies and a certificate in Event Management/Planning. While at Iowa, Destiny gained a plethora of experience within the sports industry through internships with the Chicago Blackhawks, Iowa Energy, Cedar Rapid Kernals, and Iowa Wolves. She became an intern with the Steamwheelers in 2018 before being promoted to Executive Assistant and Director of Game Day Operations in 2019. That season, the Steamwheelers received the IFL's Community Relations Award for their outstanding service and support of their local community. Brown became the team's Assistant General Manager in 2020, but after starting the season 1-0, the team entered a state of dormancy due to the pandemic. Brown joined Coach Cory Ross in dormancy during their stint with Bismarck and became the Buck's Assistant General Manager for the 2021 season—a year that resulted in the Buck's first IFL postseason appearance in franchise history. In 2022, Brown was named General Manager of the Quad City Steamwheelers and helped lead the organization to becoming recipients of it's first ever IFL Franchise of the Year Award, being crowned Eastern Conference Champions, and an appearance in the IFL National Championship game all in her first season as GM. 

*** Franchise of the Year—an award the league defined as being "given to the best overall team during the 2022 season. Factors to consider are attendance, sales, public relations, marketing, efforts to improve the IFL as a whole, performance on the field, community involvement, participation on league matters, and overall representation of the IFL."

Head Coach | Football Operations
qcheadcoach@gmail.com

Cory Ross has been the Head Coach of the Steamwheelers ever since the franchise returned to Quad City in 2018. During that time, he has helped lead the team to the postseason in two different leagues (CIF and IFL). In 2021, when the Steamwheelers entered a state of dormancy due to the pandemic, Coach Ross served the Bismarck Bucks as the team's Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator, helping to lead the Bucks to their first IFL postseason birth in franchise history. From 2015-2017, Ross served as the Head Coach of the Omaha Beef, recording back-to-back 7-5 seasons and earning a birth in the 2017 CIF League Championship Game. Playing Career As an athlete, Ross played running back and ended his NCAA career at the University of Nebraska ranked 4th in school history with 3,472 total yards from scrimmage. In his final college football game, Nebraska defeated Michigan 32-28 and Ross was named the 2005 Alamo Bowl MVP. Ross played for the Baltimore Ravens from 2006-2008, recording multiple 100-yard games, including 154 total return yards vs. the Indianapolis Colts in the 2006 AFC Divisional Playoff Game. Ross played for the Sacramento Mountain Lions from 2009-2011, winning UFL Offensive MVP honors in 2010.  

Creative & Content Director
steamwheelers.dustineichten@gmail.com

Raised in Edgeley, ND, Dustin first got his start in sports media in 2019 as a photographer for his college basketball team. Simultaneously working as a production assistant at KX News during the 2020-21 school year, he assumed a graphic design and social media internship with the IFL's Bismarck Bucks. Under the direction of Heidi Ripplinger, Dustin was given the ability to create a top brand in the IFL during the 2021 season. During his time at Bismarck, he met current Quad City Steamwheelers GM Destiny Brown who invited him to join her front office for the 2022 season. Prior to joining the Steamwheelers, Dustin enrolled at Minnesota State University Moorhead and joined the GO! TEAM where he now assumes the role of Content Director. He is also employed by the schools football team as a graphic designer. During the 2021-22 school year, Dustin worked with the USHL's Fargo Force as a social media intern. At the conclusion of the 2023 season the Quad City Steamwheelers were named the Indoor Football League Social Media Team of the Year.

Director of Game Operations 
steamwheelers.jamesmacklin@gmail.com

Raised in Walnut, IL a small town one hour east from the Quad Cities, James found his love for the game of football at the young age of 3 from watching every football game with his dad. James started playing football in 1st grade, and during his sophomore year of varsity realized his dream of playing collegiate football was possible. Following a few offers, James' dreams came true when he committed to go to Augustana College. There during his sophomore year, James was invited to the Quad City intern staff in 2022, developing a new found love for the business side of football. As an intern James was able to schedule over 40+ school visits, design and implement the first ever Steamwheelers kids football camp, and become a staple member among the organization. Going into 2023, James brought that same leadership and tenacity assuming his first year as the Director of Game Operations. In this new position, James was able to boost and top what was done in 2022. The most notable improvement is his advancement of Military Night. James spearheaded the campaign and was able to include 30+ military active duty and veterans in the game, bring in 10+ motorcycles to pay tribute to all veterans and active duty military, and create a veterans worthy show.

Fast forward to 2024 James, currently a senior at Augustana College, is going into his second year as the Director of Game Operations. As one of the youngest staff members in an already young staff, James has played a pivotal role in rebuilding the culture and evolving the perspective on Indoor Football. Looking to 2024, he is aiming to top each and every theme night.