Des Moines to Host AFL Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Eyes from around the Arena Football League will focus on Des Moines over the next few days for the Annual AFL Hall of Fame Weekend. The six member class of 2012 announced last fall, will be officially inducted at a 7:00 pm ceremony this Friday night, April 12 at the Veteran's Memorial Community Choice Convention Center in Des Moines. In addition, the new class of Hall of Famers will attend the Barnstormers game vs. Philadelphia on Saturday, April 13 where they will be honored on-field at halftime.

Included in the class of 2012 is current Iowa Barnstormers Head Coach Mike Hohensee. Hohensee is in his second season with the Barnstormers. He boasts an extensive career of both playing and coaching in the AFL. He is known as the only player/coach who has been part of the league in some capacity for all 26 seasons. His career highlights in the AFL include throwing the first Touchdown pass in league history while with the Pittsburgh Gladiators in 1987. Coaching highlights include his 144 career wins, which rank him 3rd all-time in AFL history, and his ArenaBowl XX Championship as Head Coach of the Chicago Rush in 2006.

Joining Hohensee in the class of 2012 are QB Sherdrick Bonner, the Greatest Quarterback in AFL History according to the Silver Anniversary Committee in 2012; Coach Mike Dailey, a two-time ArenaBowl champion coach (XIII, XIX) QB Clint Dolezel, a three-time All-Arena selection and a passing leader of the AFL for four years and current coach of the Philadelphia Soul; WR/DB Randy Gatewood, a six-time All-Arena selection and three-time All-Ironman selection; and William Niro, one of the original founders of the AFL; Fans and current Hall of Fame members voted on the finalists during the months of June and July. 10 finalists were then selected and turned over to the Hall of Fame Board of Directors, who officially selected the AFL hall of Fame class of 2012.

Tickets to the April 12 ceremony are FREE to the public, but are limited. To reserve your tickets call the Barnstormers Front Office at 515.633.2255. Tickets for Saturday night's home game remain on sale beginning at just $12.00 per seat. Kickoff is set for 6:05pm. To order your tickets head to the arena box office, call the Barnstormers at 633-2255 or order online at www.theiowabarnstormers.com.