Blaze Support YMCA through DishED Gala

The Utah Blaze supported the YMCA of Northern Utah through its first annual DishED Gala on Wednesday, October 17th. As the YMCA of Northern Utah’s primary fundraising event, DishED fuses the long standing success of Sports Night with the joy of love and food. In addition to making an in-kind donation, Blaze Head Coach Ron James, Offensive Line Coach Ron McBride and Defensive Back David Hyland attended the event as celebrity guests.
“As an organization, we constantly strive to help make our community a better place,” said James. “The YMCA has a long-standing tradition of helping the community’s youth reach their full potential. I’m thrilled we had to opportunity to contribute to that goal and honored to be a part of this event.”
The night began with a silent auction and dinner, which was followed by a spirited live auction. In total, the event raised over $20,000. All proceeds raised from the event will be used to ensure that all youth, regardless of income and background, have the opportunity to participate in the YMCA’s programs, such as early childhood education for four and five year olds, Afterschool, day camps in Salt Lake and Weber and overnight camp at Camp Roger.
Joining James, McBride and Hyland as celebrity guests were several prominent Utah sports figures such as former Utah Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan, former Utah Jazz players Mark Eaton and Thurl Bailey, and former Dallas Cowboys defensive back Manny Hendrix.
For over 100 years the YMCA has been making a difference and strengthening our community. Its mission is to provide communities with experiences that enhance healthy mind, body and spirit while striving to build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. If you would like to donate or volunteer your time to the YMCA of Northern Utah, please visit www.ymcautah.org.

Indoor Football Headed To Salina's Bicentennial Center

Salina's own indoor football team is set to hike into the Bicentennial Center for six weekend home games beginning in March of 2013. Ownership is asking for Salina's help with a team name. Suggestions can be submitted at BicentennialCenter.com.
Team names will be collected online only through Thursday, October 25. Three finalists will be released from those received and then the public will vote. Voting will take place online as well, with the winner being announced on Thursday, November 1. The person who submits the winning team name will receive two tickets to the season opener, participate in the coin toss and go home with an autographed game ball.
"We are very excited for our team to become a part of Salina," said Chris Vercher, President and CEO of Indoor Game Productions, Inc. "This is a great community and I believe it should be up to the residents of Salina to name the team. I really look forward to the suggestions!"
Single game tickets will be $9, $14 and $22 for VIP. Kids 2-12 will get in at half price, excluding the VIP Sections and a special 10% discount will be available to all active duty service members. Season ticket applications can be submitted as early as Monday, October 22; call 785-826-7200 for more information.
The football team will compete in the new Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL) along with the Bloomington, IL Edge; Kansas City, MO Renegades; Topeka, KS (Kansas) Koyotes; Lincoln, NE Haymakers; Sedalia, MO (Mid-Missouri) Outlaws; Tulsa, OK (Oklahoma) Defenders; Sioux City, IA Bandits; and the Wichita, KS Wild.
"It is very important that our teams become a part of the fabric of the community and enhance the quality of life of the citizens that live there." said CPIFL Commissioner James Bain. "I believe that ownership and management in Salina is going to fit that model perfectly and I look forward to the positive impact they will bring Salina."
"I'm very excited to welcome a tenant team to the building," said Chris Bird, Global Spectrum General Manager of the Bicentennial Center. "Football is very important in Central Kansas and it is great to have a team that Salina can call its own."

CIFL Owners Meeting Set For Saturday

The CIFL will be holding their annual owner's meeting this coming Saturday, October 20th, at Freedom Hall the home of the expansion franchise Kentucky Xtreme in Louisville. The owners will be discussing a variety of topics including the future of the CIFL, operations manual and rules clarification and the 2013 season schedule (set to kick off in February). They will be welcoming six new expansion/returning teams: Marion Blue Racers, Cincinnati Commandos, Kane County Dawgs, Kentucky Drillers, Erie Explosion, and the aforementioned Xtreme.
The meeting will also be an opportunity for teams to familiarize themselves with the new ownership groups representing the Dayton Sharks and the Owensboro Rage. Catering is being provided by Centerplate.
"This will be the first time that we get the opportunity to place all ten ownership groups in a board room and discuss their expectations for the CIFL going forward," said Robert Licht, Co-Owner of the CIFL - Indoor Football, Inc. "This league's future in contingent upon the strength of the teams within it.  We are going to hear what teams want from us, and set the level of expectations we need from them."
One commitment the CIFL has announced is its plan to offer to their fan base live scoring which will be featured in the CIFL Game Center from each of the 50 scheduled regular season games.
More information is set to come out of the upcoming meeting in the very near future as the CIFL prepares to kick off its 8th consecutive season, and continue its legacy as the longest consecutive running professional indoor football league in the United States.

AFL Commissioner Kurz To Speak At Marquette University Conference

Arena Football League Commissioner Jerry B. Kurz is scheduled to serve as a guest panelist at the National Sports Law Institute of Marquette University Law School’s annual conference, “Current Legal and Business Issues Affecting International and Professional Sports” on Friday, October 19th, 2012.
The conference, which will be held in Eckstein Hall at the Marquette University Law School in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will feature a variety of panels, ranging from legal and business issues in Olympic and international dispute resolution to perspectives on sports facility development. Kurz will join representatives from Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association in discussing current legal and business issues in professional sports.
A founding member of the Arena Football League and an inaugural inductee into the AFL Hall of Fame, Kurz served as the AFL’s Vice President of International Development from 1987-2008 and was responsible for administering the H3 Visa Program, which allowed international players to play for AFL teams stateside. In an effort to relaunch the AFL in 2009, he developed a unique economic model for the League.
Kurz, who has served as the AFL’s Commissioner since 2010, received a five-year contract extension in May 2012 to remain the Commissioner of the League through the 2017 season.

Utah Blaze Complete Coaching Staff

After engineering an impressive midseason turnaround on defense, Rob Keefe will return as Defensive Coordinator of the Utah Blaze. The franchise announced today that Keefe has agreed to a new contract, ensuring that the entire 2012 Blaze coaching staff will return to the team for the 2013 season.
“Coach Keefe played an integral role in our National Conference Championship run last season,” said Head Coach Ron James. “His unwavering energy and enthusiasm instilled a newfound sense of confidence in our defense. I’m excited to officially have our 2012 coaching staff back intact. I have no doubt that we have the right group in place to take this franchise to the next level in 2013.”
“I’m extremely grateful and humbled to have the opportunity to be a part of the 2013 Utah Blaze,” said Keefe. “Our expectations are to win a championship and we’re going to work tireless towards that goal every day.”
Defined by his energy, excitement, and overall passion for the game, Keefe is well known for his hands-on approach to coaching. After allowing an average of 64 points during its first 10 games, Utah hired Keefe midway through the 2012 season. Keefe commenced an immaculate turnaround on the defensive side of the ball, as the Blaze allowed just over 51 points per contest over its final eight games. In the opening round of the 2012 postseason, the change in culture was loudly put on display as the Blaze defense surrendered a mere 34 points in a victory over the top-seeded San Antonio Talons.
Keefe began his coaching career in 2009, joining the af2’s Spokane Shock as the secondary coach. He was promoted to Head Coach when the organization joined the Arena Football League in 2010 and became the youngest coach in AFL history to win a championship, as the Shock defeated the Tampa Bay Storm in ArenaBowl XXIII.
As a player, Keefe entered Arena Football in 2004 with the Columbus WarDogs of the af2. He joined the Spokane Shock for the club’s inaugural season in 2006 and ended his two-year tenure with the franchise as the team’s career leader in tackles (168) and interceptions (19), twice earning all-af2 accolades as a defensive back. Keefe entered the AFL in 2008 and won an ArenaBowl title as a member of the Philadelphia Soul.
Keefe is one of few people in Arena Football history to capture championship titles as both a player and coach in the AFL and af2.

Georgia Force Fold

Following a disappointing season both on the field and in the stands, and after failing to find local ownership to assume control of the franchise, the Georgia Force have ceased operations.
"You would think that after doing this seven or eight times it would be easier," said Force managing Partner Doug MacGregor. "I said it years ago, and I will say it again, a team needs local ownership and a group that understands the business of sports, we simply didn't have either."
This version of the Force broke onto the Georgia landscape three years ago after relocating from Alabama, and following the resurrection of the Arena Football League from bankruptcy.
The team qualified for the playoffs each of the last three seasons, but failed to bring an Arenabowl title home to Georgia.
"The market never responded to our extensive marketing and sales campaign," said team president Corey Remillard. "With all of the outreach, marketing, community and public relations that we put forward, it would have been impossible to not know that we were playing here, and the city simply did not respond. Atlanta is simply not a football town."
Prior to this, Mr. MacGregor owned teams in Kennewick, Washington, Allen, Texas, Austin Texas, Huntsville, Alabama, just to name a few, and all have ceased operations.
No payments have been made on 2013 season tickets, therefor no refunds will be issued.
The Arena Football League, coming off a season of labor unrest that saw teams walk out on strike just a few hours leading up to opening night and a mid-season game between Cleveland and Pittsburgh, has also lost franchises in Kansas City, and Milwaukee (on a one year "hiatus"). Several other franchises are rumored to be in trouble, but as usual, the AFL only reports on "positive" stories.

Shock Solidify Coaching Staff for 2013

The Spokane Shock have agreed to terms with Shock Defensive Coordinator Travis Crusenberry and Defensive Back's Coach Stanley Franks to return to Head Coach Andy Olson's Staff for the 2013 season.
Travis Crusenberry was a member of the ArenaCup Championship Coaching Staff in 2006 under Chris Siegfried. The following season, Crusenberry left the af2 to join the AFL's Kansas City Brigade as Offensive Line Coach and Director of Player Personnel for two seasons. As the Director of Player Personnel, he helped to create a roster that gave the Brigade its first playoff berth in franchise history and its best record (10-6). 2010 marked Crusenberry's return to the AFL and to Spokane. Under Head Coach Rob Keefe, he captured his first ArenaBowl Championship and molded one of the top offensive lines in the AFL. In 2011, he served as the Offensive and Defensive Line Coach before assuming the Defensive Coordinator role for the 2012 season. By re-joining the Coaching Staff for the 2013 season, Crusenburry will enter his fourth season with the Shock.
"Travis Crusenberry brings a wealth of experience to our Coaching Staff as a former player, Director of Player Personnel, and Assistant Coach with line, defense, and special team backgrounds. His ability and understanding of on-field play as well as his experience in scouting and recruiting athletes to Spokane is a tremendous asset to our Organization and we are excited that he will be returning in 2013," said Shock General Manager Ryan Rigmaiden.
Former Shock defensive back Stanley Franks was added to Head Coach Olson's staff in Fall 2011. In 2010 with the CFL's BC Lions, Franks recorded 70 tackles with three interceptions. His second season with the Lions was cut short after he suffered a season-ending leg injury. Franks burst onto the Arena Football in 2009 and was a key role in Spokane's ArenaCup Championship season. That season he led the team in tackles (97.5) adding eight interceptions with 17 pass break-ups. At the University of Idaho in 2006, Franks led the nation in interceptions per game with an average of 0.75 and had nine interceptions in 12 games earning first-team all-WAC recognition. While in Junior College, he earned all-American and all-state recognition with 62 receptions for 778 yards and eight touchdowns.
"Stanley Franks is a true players Coach. His ability to relate to our players from his own experience in NCAA D-1A, CFL, and Arena Football is a great addition to our Staff. We're looking forward to the opportunity of having Stanley back with us in 2013 and are eager to see him to contribute as a Defensive and Special Teams Coach with us next season," said Head Coach Andy Olson.