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.
