Iowa Barnstormers
Encyclopedia
The Iowa Barnstormers are an arena football
team based in Des Moines, Iowa
. They are currently members of the Arena Football League
(AFL), which they joined in 2010 following the organization's restructuring. They play their home games at Wells Fargo Arena
, known in arena football circles as "The Well".
Several teams called the Iowa Barnstormers have played in the AFL or its developmental league, af2
, since 1995. The original team played in Des Moines' Veterans Memorial Auditorium from 1995–2000, and subsequently relocated to Uniondale, New York
, where they were known as the New York Dragons
. The following year Des Moines was awarded an af2 franchise that carried on the Barnstormers name and branding, but the team suspended operations after the end of the 2001 season. In 2008 a new Barnstormers team began play in the af2, now based in the new Wells Fargo Arena; this team joined the new AFL in 2010 following the league's reorganization.
approved an expansion team to be based in Des Moines, Iowa
, starting with the 1995 season. The team was to be owned by Jim Foster
, the inventor of arena football and the founder of the Arena Football League. On May 12, 1995, the Barnstormers played their first regular season game, on the road against the Milwaukee Mustangs
. In a wild finish that saw both teams combine to score 24 points in the final 40.4 seconds of the fourth quarter, the Barnstormers won, 69–61. The next weekend, May 20, 1995, the Barnstormers played their first regular season home game against the Miami Hooters at Veterans Memorial Auditorium
, winning 41–29.
Behind the strength of AFL Coach of the Year John Gregory, the Barnstormers would race to a 3–0 start and secure the fifth seed for the playoffs. After upsetting defending ArenaBowl
champion Arizona
, 56–52, in their first playoff game, the Barnstormers would fall, 56–49, to sixth-seeded Orlando
in the semifinals.
After an 0–1 start to their second season, the Barnstormers would win their first division title, capturing the Central Division crown on the strength of eight consecutive wins to close the season. After edging St. Louis
and Albany
in the first two rounds of the playoffs, the top-seeded Barnstormers would drop a 42–38 heartbreaker at home to second-seeded Tampa Bay
in ArenaBowl X
.
In 1997, the Barnstormers would repeat as Central Division champions with an 11–3 record, including a 61–38 road thrashing of the rival Storm to avenge the previous season's ArenaBowl defeat. With the second seed in the playoffs
, the Barnstormers would avenge a regular season defeat against seventh-seeded San Jose
, 68–59, before racing past fourth-seeded Orlando 52–34 to reach the franchise's second ArenaBowl
in three seasons. However, in ArenaBowl XI
, Arizona would use a 42–13 scoring stretch over the middle two periods to roll past Iowa, 55–33.
Star offensive specialist Willis Jacox
would retire after the 1997 season while star quarterback Kurt Warner
would sign with the St. Louis Rams
of the NFL. Forced to rebuild after losing the eventual two-time NFL MVP, the Barnstormers would limp to an 0–5 start in 1998. After acquiring Aaron Garcia from New Jersey, the Stormers would improve, and a three-game winning streak sparked by Garcia and rookie sensation Kevin Swayne
would put the Barnstormers into playoff contention late in the year, but they would falter and finish 5–9, their worst season in their time in Iowa.
In 1999, the Barnstomer resurgence under Garica continued, with Iowa winning nine of their last ten regular season games (following a 2–2 start) to capture their third Central Division title in four seasons and secure the second seed in the playoffs
. A thrashing of division rival Milwaukee
in the quarerfinals coupled with eighth-seeded Orlando's 41–19 shocker at Tampa Bay set Iowa up at home against the eighth-seeded Predators with a chance to advance to another home ArenaBowl. However, Orlando would continue its shocking run to ArenaBowl XIII
with a 56–49 upset of the Barnstormers.
The 2000 Barnstormers would put up startling offensive numbers, as Garcia would throw for 92 touchdowns against just 8 interceptions, with 46 of the touchdowns going to Mike Horacek
. Despite this prolific offense, Iowa would start slowly, losing three of their first four games. However, a five-game winning streak would return the Barnstormers to the thick of the playoff hunt, and Iowa would go on to win their fourth Central Division crown in six seasons of play, earning them the third seed in the newly expanded playoffs
. However, Iowa's playoff run would come to a quick end on a Sunday afternoon in the quarterfinals, as sixth-seeded Nashville
would score the final 14 points to defeat Iowa, 49-42.
despite two failed past attempts in the city, the New York Knights
(1988
) and the New York CityHawks
(1997
–1998
), both of which played at Madison Square Garden
in Manhattan
. The team was purchased by Charles Wang
, who is also the Islanders' majority owner and re-named the New York Dragons
.
Aside from the league's desire to re-enter the New York market, another major reason cited for the team's relocation was the inadequacy of their Des Moines venue, the Iowa Veterans Memorial Auditorium
, also known as "The Barn". Most of the seats in this venue were located directly along the sidelines as is typical of high school
sports venues. The Barnstormers organization constantly lobbied for the construction of a better facility during their time in Des Moines to no avail.
The Arena Football organization awarded an af2
franchise to Iowa for the 2001 season
, which continued the Barnstormer name. However, low attendance (less than half of the average of the AFL franchise) and a relatively poor season (a five-game winning streak to close the season wasn't able to turn a 4–7 start into a playoff berth) would lead to that franchise suspending operations following their first season.
announced that they had approved the inactive franchise's new ownership, meaning that the Barnstormers resumed play in 2008 at the Wells Fargo Arena
. They hold practices at the historic Veterans Memorial Auditorium
, and they inherited the tradition of the original Barnstormers. The team adopted the original unique uniforms, which in keeping with the aviation theme included the depiction of goggles on the helmets, wings on the shoulders of the jerseys, and propellers on the pants legs. The mascot, a dog named Ace, is featured in this helmet, along with the uniform jersey and pants.
After being on hiatus for six seasons, the Barnstormers played their first regular season game of 2008, falling at the Louisville Fire
58–28 on March 29, 2008. The following week, they would return home for a Monday Night primetime match-up with the Lexington Horsemen
on April 14, 2008. In the debut of Arena Football at the Wells Fargo Arena
, the Barnstormers lost a close 43–41 contest. The next week, Iowa won their first regular season match-up since 2001 (their 75th overall), defeating the Quad City Steamwheelers
58–38 on April 19 in Moline, Illinois
. The team would win their first home game at the Wells Fargo Arena
on April 26, 2008, defeating the Stockton Lightning
47–24.
, an ominous harbinger of an eventual 7–9 season.
Home Record: 44–30
Away Record: 45–23
attendance to Spokane
, with attendances of 9,341 and 9,520, respectively.
During the 2008 season, the Barnstormers ranked 17th in average home paid attendance out of the 46 combined teams in the Arena Football League and Arenafootball2
.
Historically, the Barnstormers have ranked high in home paid attendance. In the Arena Football League, they finished 7th in 1995, 8th in 1996, 9th in 1997, 8th in 1998, 9th in 1999, and 9th in 2000.
The Barnstormers have averaged 10,418 per game in home paid attendance throughout the team's history.
Arena football
Arena football is a variety of gridiron football played by the Arena Football League . It is a proprietary game, the rights to which are owned by Gridiron Enterprises, and is played indoors on a smaller field than American or Canadian outdoor football, resulting in a faster and higher-scoring game....
team based in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
. They are currently members of the Arena Football League
Arena Football League
The Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
(AFL), which they joined in 2010 following the organization's restructuring. They play their home games at Wells Fargo Arena
Wells Fargo Arena (Des Moines)
Wells Fargo Arena is a 16,980-seat multi-purpose arena in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. Part of the Iowa Events Center, the arena opened in 2005, at a cost of $99 million....
, known in arena football circles as "The Well".
Several teams called the Iowa Barnstormers have played in the AFL or its developmental league, af2
Af2
AF2 was the name of the Arena Football League's developmental league; it was founded in 1999 and played its first season in 2000. Like parent AFL, the AF2 played using the same arena football rules and style of play. League seasons ran from April through July with the postseason and ArenaCup...
, since 1995. The original team played in Des Moines' Veterans Memorial Auditorium from 1995–2000, and subsequently relocated to Uniondale, New York
Uniondale, New York
Uniondale is a hamlet as well as a suburb of New York City in Nassau County, New York, United States, on Long Island, in the Town of Hempstead. The population was 24,759 at the 2010 United States Census.-Geography:...
, where they were known as the New York Dragons
New York Dragons
The New York Dragons were an Arena Football League team based in the New York metropolitan area. The team was founded in as the original incarnation of the Iowa Barnstormers, and relocated to New York in . They played in New York until 2008, when the league folded...
. The following year Des Moines was awarded an af2 franchise that carried on the Barnstormers name and branding, but the team suspended operations after the end of the 2001 season. In 2008 a new Barnstormers team began play in the af2, now based in the new Wells Fargo Arena; this team joined the new AFL in 2010 following the league's reorganization.
1995–2001
On April 25, 1994, the Arena Football LeagueArena Football League
The Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
approved an expansion team to be based in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
, starting with the 1995 season. The team was to be owned by Jim Foster
Jim Foster
James F. Foster is the founder and first commissioner of the Arena Football League. He, along with two other partners, owns Gridiron Enterprises, which acts as the sanctioning body of the sport of arena football...
, the inventor of arena football and the founder of the Arena Football League. On May 12, 1995, the Barnstormers played their first regular season game, on the road against the Milwaukee Mustangs
Milwaukee Mustangs
The Milwaukee Mustangs were an Arena Football League team. They played from 1994 to 2001 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin's Bradley Center.-History:The team was founded in 1994 amidst rumors that the Green Bay Packers would soon stop playing games in Milwaukee, something they'd been doing since 1936...
. In a wild finish that saw both teams combine to score 24 points in the final 40.4 seconds of the fourth quarter, the Barnstormers won, 69–61. The next weekend, May 20, 1995, the Barnstormers played their first regular season home game against the Miami Hooters at Veterans Memorial Auditorium
Veterans Memorial Auditorium (Des Moines)
Veterans Memorial Auditorium is an arena in Des Moines, Iowa, that is part of the Iowa Events Center complex. It opened on February 1, 1955, and was named to honor the World War II veterans of Polk County. It has 7,227 permanent seats, with the capacity to add an additional 4,000 seats for concerts...
, winning 41–29.
Behind the strength of AFL Coach of the Year John Gregory, the Barnstormers would race to a 3–0 start and secure the fifth seed for the playoffs. After upsetting defending ArenaBowl
ArenaBowl VIII
ArenaBowl VIII was the Arena Football League's eighth ArenaBowl. The game featured the #3 Arizona Rattlers of the American Conference against the #1 Orlando Predators of the National Conference...
champion Arizona
Arizona Rattlers
The Arizona Rattlers are a professional arena football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Conference in the Arena Football League . The Rattlers were founded in 1992 as an expansion team. They play their home games at US Airways Center...
, 56–52, in their first playoff game, the Barnstormers would fall, 56–49, to sixth-seeded Orlando
Orlando Predators
The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1991. Their playoff streak is currently 19 seasons in a row, as of the season, becoming the ArenaBowl champions in 1998 and 2000...
in the semifinals.
After an 0–1 start to their second season, the Barnstormers would win their first division title, capturing the Central Division crown on the strength of eight consecutive wins to close the season. After edging St. Louis
St. Louis Stampede
The St. Louis Stampede was a team in the Arena Football League. The Stampede competed in the 1995 and 1996 seasons, playing their home games in the Kiel Center , also the home of the St...
and Albany
Indiana Firebirds
The Indiana Firebirds were a team in the Arena Football League.The team was based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Home games were played at the Conseco Fieldhouse, also the home of the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association and Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball...
in the first two rounds of the playoffs, the top-seeded Barnstormers would drop a 42–38 heartbreaker at home to second-seeded Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Storm
The Tampa Bay Storm are an Arena Football League team based in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. They play their home games in the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa....
in ArenaBowl X
ArenaBowl X
ArenaBowl X was the Arena Football League's tenth ArenaBowl. The game featured the #2 Tampa Bay Storm of the National Conference against the #1 Iowa Barnstormers of the American Conference. Both teams ended their regular seasons at 12-2, yet Iowa had a better conference record...
.
In 1997, the Barnstormers would repeat as Central Division champions with an 11–3 record, including a 61–38 road thrashing of the rival Storm to avenge the previous season's ArenaBowl defeat. With the second seed in the playoffs
1997 Arena Football League season
The 1997 Arena Football League season was the 11th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Arizona Rattlers, who defeated the Iowa Barnstormers in ArenaBowl XI.-Standings:* Green indicates clinched playoff berth...
, the Barnstormers would avenge a regular season defeat against seventh-seeded San Jose
San Jose SaberCats
The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the...
, 68–59, before racing past fourth-seeded Orlando 52–34 to reach the franchise's second ArenaBowl
ArenaBowl
The ArenaBowl is the Arena Football League's championship game. From 1987 to 2004, the ArenaBowl was hosted by either the team with the better regular-season record or the higher seeding in the playoffs. From ArenaBowl XIX in 2005 until ArenaBowl XXII in 2008, the game was played at a neutral site...
in three seasons. However, in ArenaBowl XI
ArenaBowl XI
ArenaBowl XI was the Arena Football League's eleventh ArenaBowl. The game featured two American Conference teams, the #2 Iowa Barnstormers against the #1 Arizona Rattlers...
, Arizona would use a 42–13 scoring stretch over the middle two periods to roll past Iowa, 55–33.
Star offensive specialist Willis Jacox
Willis Jacox
Willis Jacox is a former professional American football player.Jacox attended the University of North Dakota in the mid 1980's, where he played both wide receiver and kick returner. Following his collegiate career, Jacox was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League...
would retire after the 1997 season while star quarterback Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
would sign with the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
of the NFL. Forced to rebuild after losing the eventual two-time NFL MVP, the Barnstormers would limp to an 0–5 start in 1998. After acquiring Aaron Garcia from New Jersey, the Stormers would improve, and a three-game winning streak sparked by Garcia and rookie sensation Kevin Swayne
Kevin Swayne
Kevin Swayne was an American football wide receiver for the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League...
would put the Barnstormers into playoff contention late in the year, but they would falter and finish 5–9, their worst season in their time in Iowa.
In 1999, the Barnstomer resurgence under Garica continued, with Iowa winning nine of their last ten regular season games (following a 2–2 start) to capture their third Central Division title in four seasons and secure the second seed in the playoffs
1999 Arena Football League season
The 1999 Arena Football League season was the 13th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Albany Firebirds, who defeated the Orlando Predators in ArenaBowl XIII.-Standings:* Green indicates clinched playoff berth...
. A thrashing of division rival Milwaukee
Milwaukee Mustangs
The Milwaukee Mustangs were an Arena Football League team. They played from 1994 to 2001 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin's Bradley Center.-History:The team was founded in 1994 amidst rumors that the Green Bay Packers would soon stop playing games in Milwaukee, something they'd been doing since 1936...
in the quarerfinals coupled with eighth-seeded Orlando's 41–19 shocker at Tampa Bay set Iowa up at home against the eighth-seeded Predators with a chance to advance to another home ArenaBowl. However, Orlando would continue its shocking run to ArenaBowl XIII
ArenaBowl XIII
Arena Bowl XIII was the 1999 edition of the Arena Football League's championship game. Played on August 21, 1999, it was played at the Firebird's home arena, the Times Union Center . It was played between the #8 Orlando Predators and the #3 Albany Firebirds...
with a 56–49 upset of the Barnstormers.
The 2000 Barnstormers would put up startling offensive numbers, as Garcia would throw for 92 touchdowns against just 8 interceptions, with 46 of the touchdowns going to Mike Horacek
Mike Horacek
Mike Horacek is an American football wide receiver for the Kansas City Brigade of the Arena Football League. He played college football at Iowa State....
. Despite this prolific offense, Iowa would start slowly, losing three of their first four games. However, a five-game winning streak would return the Barnstormers to the thick of the playoff hunt, and Iowa would go on to win their fourth Central Division crown in six seasons of play, earning them the third seed in the newly expanded playoffs
2000 Arena Football League season
The 2000 Arena Football League season was the 14th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Orlando Predators, who defeated the Nashville Kats in ArenaBowl XIV.-Standings:* Green indicates clinched playoff berth...
. However, Iowa's playoff run would come to a quick end on a Sunday afternoon in the quarterfinals, as sixth-seeded Nashville
Nashville Kats
The Nashville Kats were an Arena Football League team, located in Nashville, Tennessee. They were last coached by Pat Sperduto, who coached the team's original incarnation to two ArenaBowl appearances prior to the original franchise's move to Atlanta in 2002...
would score the final 14 points to defeat Iowa, 49-42.
2000–2001
The need for a more modern venue as well as the league's desire for a larger market led to the move to New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
despite two failed past attempts in the city, the New York Knights
New York Knights
The New York Knights were an Arena Football League team based in New York City. They played in the league for one season, 1988. They played their home games at Madison Square Garden. After going 2-10 overall in their only season the team ceased operations...
(1988
1988 in sports
1988 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Pirmin Zurbriggen, Switzerland** Women's overall season champion: Michela Figini, Switzerland-American football:...
) and the New York CityHawks
Toronto Phantoms
The Toronto Phantoms was the final name of a team in the Arena Football League, that also operated in New York City and Hartford, Connecticut.-New York CityHawks :The team began in 1997 as the New York CityHawks...
(1997
1997 in sports
1997 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Luc Alphand, France** Women's overall season champion: Pernilla Wiberg, Sweden-American football:...
–1998
1998 in sports
1998 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Hermann Maier, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Katja Seizinger, Germany-American football:...
), both of which played at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
. The team was purchased by Charles Wang
Charles Wang
Charles B. Wang is the co-founder of Computer Associates International, Inc. and owner of the New York Islanders ice hockey team and their AHL affiliates, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers....
, who is also the Islanders' majority owner and re-named the New York Dragons
New York Dragons
The New York Dragons were an Arena Football League team based in the New York metropolitan area. The team was founded in as the original incarnation of the Iowa Barnstormers, and relocated to New York in . They played in New York until 2008, when the league folded...
.
Aside from the league's desire to re-enter the New York market, another major reason cited for the team's relocation was the inadequacy of their Des Moines venue, the Iowa Veterans Memorial Auditorium
Iowa Events Center
The Iowa Events Center is a public events complex located in downtown Des Moines, Iowa.-Overview:The Iowa Events Center consists of the existing Veterans Memorial Auditorium, the existing Polk County Convention Complex, the new Hy-Vee Hall, and the new Wells Fargo Arena...
, also known as "The Barn". Most of the seats in this venue were located directly along the sidelines as is typical of high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
sports venues. The Barnstormers organization constantly lobbied for the construction of a better facility during their time in Des Moines to no avail.
The Arena Football organization awarded an af2
Af2
AF2 was the name of the Arena Football League's developmental league; it was founded in 1999 and played its first season in 2000. Like parent AFL, the AF2 played using the same arena football rules and style of play. League seasons ran from April through July with the postseason and ArenaCup...
franchise to Iowa for the 2001 season
2001 af2 season
The 2001 AF2 season was the second season of the AF2. The league champions were the Quad City Steamwheelers, who defended their title with a victory over the Richmond Speed in ArenaCup II...
, which continued the Barnstormer name. However, low attendance (less than half of the average of the AFL franchise) and a relatively poor season (a five-game winning streak to close the season wasn't able to turn a 4–7 start into a playoff berth) would lead to that franchise suspending operations following their first season.
2008–2009
On September 20, 2007, the af2Af2
AF2 was the name of the Arena Football League's developmental league; it was founded in 1999 and played its first season in 2000. Like parent AFL, the AF2 played using the same arena football rules and style of play. League seasons ran from April through July with the postseason and ArenaCup...
announced that they had approved the inactive franchise's new ownership, meaning that the Barnstormers resumed play in 2008 at the Wells Fargo Arena
Wells Fargo Arena (Des Moines)
Wells Fargo Arena is a 16,980-seat multi-purpose arena in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. Part of the Iowa Events Center, the arena opened in 2005, at a cost of $99 million....
. They hold practices at the historic Veterans Memorial Auditorium
Veterans Memorial Auditorium (Des Moines)
Veterans Memorial Auditorium is an arena in Des Moines, Iowa, that is part of the Iowa Events Center complex. It opened on February 1, 1955, and was named to honor the World War II veterans of Polk County. It has 7,227 permanent seats, with the capacity to add an additional 4,000 seats for concerts...
, and they inherited the tradition of the original Barnstormers. The team adopted the original unique uniforms, which in keeping with the aviation theme included the depiction of goggles on the helmets, wings on the shoulders of the jerseys, and propellers on the pants legs. The mascot, a dog named Ace, is featured in this helmet, along with the uniform jersey and pants.
After being on hiatus for six seasons, the Barnstormers played their first regular season game of 2008, falling at the Louisville Fire
Louisville Fire
The Louisville Fire was an arena football team that played its home games at the Brown-Forman Field in Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. They were a 2001 expansion team of the af2. Their owner/operator was former Pro Bowl lineman and Louisville native Will Wolford. The team was somewhat...
58–28 on March 29, 2008. The following week, they would return home for a Monday Night primetime match-up with the Lexington Horsemen
Lexington Horsemen
The Kentucky Horsemen were an indoor football team based in Lexington, Kentucky. The team played its home games at Rupp Arena. The organization began as a 2003 expansion member of the National Indoor Football League, where they were successful...
on April 14, 2008. In the debut of Arena Football at the Wells Fargo Arena
Wells Fargo Arena (Des Moines)
Wells Fargo Arena is a 16,980-seat multi-purpose arena in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. Part of the Iowa Events Center, the arena opened in 2005, at a cost of $99 million....
, the Barnstormers lost a close 43–41 contest. The next week, Iowa won their first regular season match-up since 2001 (their 75th overall), defeating the Quad City Steamwheelers
Quad City Steamwheelers
The Quad City Steamwheelers were a professional arena football team. They were a charter member of the af2. They play their home games at i wireless Center in Moline, Illinois....
58–38 on April 19 in Moline, Illinois
Moline, Illinois
Moline is a city located in Rock Island County, Illinois, United States, with a population of 45,792 in 2010. Moline is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois and the cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa. The Quad Cities has a population of...
. The team would win their first home game at the Wells Fargo Arena
Wells Fargo Arena (Des Moines)
Wells Fargo Arena is a 16,980-seat multi-purpose arena in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. Part of the Iowa Events Center, the arena opened in 2005, at a cost of $99 million....
on April 26, 2008, defeating the Stockton Lightning
Stockton Lightning
The Stockton Lightning were a professional arena football team. They were members of the Western Division of the National Conferenece of the arenafootball2 .The Lightning joined af2 2006 as an expansion team...
47–24.
2010–present
On September 28, 2009, the Barnstormers announced their status as a charter member of the new Arena Football League, marking their return to playing top-notch arena football after almost a decade of lower levels and inactivity. A franchise-record 12,184 fans attended the 2010 opener; however, Iowa's first play from scrimmage resulted in an interception return for a touchdown by the Chicago RushChicago Rush
The Chicago Rush is an arena football team based in Rosemont, Illinois. It is a member of the Central Division of the National Conference of the Arena Football League. The team was founded in 2001 and is co-owned by Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame player and coach.The Rush have qualified for the...
, an ominous harbinger of an eventual 7–9 season.
Record vs. Opponents
Note: Includes PlayoffsHome Record: 44–30
Away Record: 45–23
| Opponent | Win | Loss |
|---|---|---|
| Albany Firebirds | 5 | 1 |
| Amarillo Dusters Amarillo Dusters The Amarillo Venom are an professional indoor football team in the Lone Star Football League. The Venom began play in 2004 as the Amarillo Dusters, a charter member of the Intense Football League, a small indoor football league based in Texas. They won the championship in their first and only... |
2 | 0 |
| Anaheim Piranhas Anaheim Piranhas The Anaheim Piranhas were a professional arena football team that played in the Arena Football League from 1994 - 1997. They played their home games at Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California. The team was originally known as the Las Vegas Sting, prior to moving to Anaheim in 1996. The team was owned... |
2 | 0 |
| Arizona Rattlers Arizona Rattlers The Arizona Rattlers are a professional arena football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Conference in the Arena Football League . The Rattlers were founded in 1992 as an expansion team. They play their home games at US Airways Center... |
3 | 5 |
| Arkansas Twisters Arkansas Twisters The Allen Wranglers are a professional indoor football team based in Allen, Texas play in the Indoor Football League. The Wranglers play their home games at the Allen Event Center.-History:... |
0 | 1 |
| Buffalo Destroyers | 3 | 0 |
| Charlotte Rage Charlotte Rage The Charlotte Rage was a team in the Arena Football League.-History:They competed in the 1992-1996 seasons. They played their home games at the Charlotte Coliseum, then also home of the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association.... |
1 | 0 |
| Chicago Rush Chicago Rush The Chicago Rush is an arena football team based in Rosemont, Illinois. It is a member of the Central Division of the National Conference of the Arena Football League. The team was founded in 2001 and is co-owned by Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame player and coach.The Rush have qualified for the... |
0 | 2 |
| Cleveland Thunderbolts Cleveland Thunderbolts The Cleveland Thunderbolts were a professional American football team in the Arena Football League.-Columbus Thunderbolts:Established as the Columbus Thunderbolts and playing its home games at the Ohio Expo Center Coliseum, the team relocated to Cleveland after a winless single season in the Arena... |
0 | 1 |
| Colorado Crush Colorado Crush Colorado Crush were an Arena Football League team that began play as a 2003 expansion team. The Crush played in the Central Division of the American Conference until the Arena Football League suspended operations in 2009... |
1 | 0 |
| Connecticut Coyotes Connecticut Coyotes The Connecticut Coyotes were a franchise in the Arena Football League.-History:They competed in the 1995 and 1996 AFL seasons. They played their home games at the Hartford Civic Center.... |
2 | 0 |
| Dallas Desperados Dallas Desperados The Dallas Desperados were a professional Arena Football team. The Desperados played in the Southern Division of the now-defunct Arena Football League from 2002 to 2008.... |
2 | 0 |
| Detroit Drive | 1 | 1 |
| Florida Bobcats Florida Bobcats The Florida Bobcats are a defunct Arena Football League team. They had been previously known as the Sacramento Attack and the Miami Hooters.-Sacramento Attack :... |
0 | 1 |
| Georgia Force Georgia Force The Georgia Force are an Arena Football League team based in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States that plays in the South Division of the American Conference. The team is owned by Doug MacGregor and Donn Jennings... |
1 | 0 |
| Grand Rapids Rampage Grand Rapids Rampage The Grand Rapids Rampage was an Arena Football League team that began playing as a 1998 expansion team. They were coached by Steve Thonn.-History:... |
3 | 3 |
| Green Bay Blizzard Green Bay Blizzard The Green Bay Blizzard is a professional indoor football team, which was founded in 2003. The Blizzard began play in the Indoor Football League in 2010, after having played the previous seven seasons in af2, in the now defunct the minor league of the Arena Football League. The Blizzard play in... |
1 | 3 |
| Houston Thunderbears Houston Thunderbears The Houston ThunderBears were a team in the Arena Football League that operated from 1996-2001. The team was based in Houston, Texas. Home games were played at the Compaq Center. The team was known as the Texas Terror their first two years in existence before changing the name to the Thunderbears... |
5 | 2 |
| Indiana Firebirds Indiana Firebirds The Indiana Firebirds were a team in the Arena Football League.The team was based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Home games were played at the Conseco Fieldhouse, also the home of the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association and Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball... |
1 | 0 |
| Jacksonville Tomcats Jacksonville Tomcats The Jacksonville Tomcats were an arena football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They were an inaugural franchise in af2, the developmental league of the Arena Football League , and played for three seasons from 2000–2002... |
1 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Gladiators Las Vegas Gladiators The Cleveland Gladiators are an arena football franchise based in Cleveland, Ohio which plays in the Arena Football League. The team is part of the East division of the AFL's American Conference. The Gladiators play all of their home games at Quicken Loans Arena, which they share with the NBA's... |
0 | 1 |
| Lexington Horsemen Lexington Horsemen The Kentucky Horsemen were an indoor football team based in Lexington, Kentucky. The team played its home games at Rupp Arena. The organization began as a 2003 expansion member of the National Indoor Football League, where they were successful... |
1 | 1 |
| Los Angeles Avengers Los Angeles Avengers The Los Angeles Avengers was an Arena Football League team based in Los Angeles, California from 2000 through 2008. They folded on April 19, 2009.-History:... |
1 | 0 |
| Louisville Fire Louisville Fire The Louisville Fire was an arena football team that played its home games at the Brown-Forman Field in Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. They were a 2001 expansion team of the af2. Their owner/operator was former Pro Bowl lineman and Louisville native Will Wolford. The team was somewhat... |
2 | 1 |
| Manchester Wolves Manchester Wolves The Manchester Wolves were a professional arena football team, based at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire, which folded at the end of the 2009 season along with the rest of the league... |
1 | 0 |
| Memphis Pharaohs | 3 | 1 |
| Miami Hooters | 1 | 0 |
| Milwaukee Mustangs Milwaukee Mustangs The Milwaukee Mustangs were an Arena Football League team. They played from 1994 to 2001 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin's Bradley Center.-History:The team was founded in 1994 amidst rumors that the Green Bay Packers would soon stop playing games in Milwaukee, something they'd been doing since 1936... |
11 | 3 |
| Minnesota Fighting Pike Minnesota Fighting Pike The Minnesota Fighting Pike were an American football team that played one season in the Arena Football League. The team played at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota... |
1 | 0 |
| Nashville Kats Nashville Kats The Nashville Kats were an Arena Football League team, located in Nashville, Tennessee. They were last coached by Pat Sperduto, who coached the team's original incarnation to two ArenaBowl appearances prior to the original franchise's move to Atlanta in 2002... |
4 | 1 |
| New England Sea Wolves | 1 | 0 |
| New Jersey Red Dogs | 2 | 0 |
| New Orleans VooDoo New Orleans VooDoo The New Orleans VooDoo are an Arena Football League team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They play their home games in New Orleans Arena.... |
1 | 0 |
| New York CityHawks | 0 | 1 |
| Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz was a member of the new Arena Football League. The team began play as a 2004 expansion team of the original Arena Football League's now-defunct minor league af2... |
1 | 1 |
| Orlando Predators Orlando Predators The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1991. Their playoff streak is currently 19 seasons in a row, as of the season, becoming the ArenaBowl champions in 1998 and 2000... |
4 | 3 |
| Peoria Pirates Peoria Pirates The Peoria Pirates were a professional arena football team that last played in af2, the minor league to the Arena Football League. They played their home games at Carver Arena, part of the Peoria Civic Center in Illinois, and were coached by Mike Hohensee... |
4 | 2 |
| Portland Forest Dragons | 3 | 1 |
| Quad City Steamwheelers Quad City Steamwheelers The Quad City Steamwheelers were a professional arena football team. They were a charter member of the af2. They play their home games at i wireless Center in Moline, Illinois.... |
4 | 4 |
| Rochester Brigade Rochester Brigade The Rochester Brigade was a professional arena football team based in Rochester, New York. The team was a member of af2, the minor league of the Arena Football League, and played their home games at the Blue Cross Arena... |
1 | 0 |
| St. Louis Stampede St. Louis Stampede The St. Louis Stampede was a team in the Arena Football League. The Stampede competed in the 1995 and 1996 seasons, playing their home games in the Kiel Center , also the home of the St... |
2 | 2 |
| San Jose SaberCats San Jose SaberCats The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the... |
3 | 3 |
| Spokane Shock Spokane Shock The Spokane Shock is a professional arena football team of the Arena Football League from Spokane, Washington, USA. They play their home games at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena... |
1 | 2 |
| Stockton Lightning Stockton Lightning The Stockton Lightning were a professional arena football team. They were members of the Western Division of the National Conferenece of the arenafootball2 .The Lightning joined af2 2006 as an expansion team... |
1 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Storm Tampa Bay Storm The Tampa Bay Storm are an Arena Football League team based in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. They play their home games in the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.... |
2 | 2 |
| Tulsa Talons Tulsa Talons The San Antonio Talons are a professional arena football franchise in San Antonio, Texas that plays in the Arena Football League.The Talons began in 2000 in Tulsa, Oklahoma as the Tulsa Talons, a charter member of the defunct minor league Arena Football 2, also known as af2... |
2 | 4 |
| Wichita Stealth Wichita Stealth The Wichita Stealth is a now-defunct arena football team. They played their home games at the Kansas Coliseum in Wichita, Kansas. They originally began play in the Indoor Football League as a 2000 expansion team known as the Wichita Warlords before the league folded, in which they moved to the... |
1 | 1 |
| Total | 89 | 53 |
Attendance
In both 2008 and 2009, Iowa ranked second in af2Af2
AF2 was the name of the Arena Football League's developmental league; it was founded in 1999 and played its first season in 2000. Like parent AFL, the AF2 played using the same arena football rules and style of play. League seasons ran from April through July with the postseason and ArenaCup...
attendance to Spokane
Spokane Shock
The Spokane Shock is a professional arena football team of the Arena Football League from Spokane, Washington, USA. They play their home games at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena...
, with attendances of 9,341 and 9,520, respectively.
During the 2008 season, the Barnstormers ranked 17th in average home paid attendance out of the 46 combined teams in the Arena Football League and Arenafootball2
Af2
AF2 was the name of the Arena Football League's developmental league; it was founded in 1999 and played its first season in 2000. Like parent AFL, the AF2 played using the same arena football rules and style of play. League seasons ran from April through July with the postseason and ArenaCup...
.
Historically, the Barnstormers have ranked high in home paid attendance. In the Arena Football League, they finished 7th in 1995, 8th in 1996, 9th in 1997, 8th in 1998, 9th in 1999, and 9th in 2000.
The Barnstormers have averaged 10,418 per game in home paid attendance throughout the team's history.
Coaching staff
- J. T. Smith, Head Coach
- Ryan Sloth, Assistant Coach
- Jack WhitverJack WhitverJack Whitver is an American businessman and politician, who is currently the Iowa State Senator for the 35th District.- Personal Life and Education :...
, Assistant Coach
Front Office
- Jeff LambertiJeff LambertiJeff Lamberti is the former Republican Senate leader and two term state senator representing the 35th District of the Iowa Senate, and served two terms as State Representative. In the 2006 mid-term election, Lamberti was the Republican nominee for U.S...
, Principal / Owner - Matt Strawn, Principal / Owner
- John Pettit, General Manager
Notable former players
- Aaron Garcia - QB
- Gary Howe - OL/DL
- Mike HoracekMike HoracekMike Horacek is an American football wide receiver for the Kansas City Brigade of the Arena Football League. He played college football at Iowa State....
- WR/LB - Willis JacoxWillis JacoxWillis Jacox is a former professional American football player.Jacox attended the University of North Dakota in the mid 1980's, where he played both wide receiver and kick returner. Following his collegiate career, Jacox was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League...
- FB/LB - Kevin KaesviharnKevin KaesviharnKevin Robert Kaesviharn is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Iowa Barnstormers as a street free agent in 1998...
- WR/DB - Kevin SwayneKevin SwayneKevin Swayne was an American football wide receiver for the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League...
- OS - Kurt WarnerKurt WarnerKurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
- QB
Coaching history
As of June 29, 2011| Name | Term | Regular season | Playoffs | Achievements | Reference | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GC | W | L | T | Win% | GC | W | L | ||||
| "color:">Iowa Barnstormers | |||||||||||
| 82 | 55 | 27 | 0 | .671 | 11 | 6 | 5 | ||||
| 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | .333 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2001 2001 af2 season The 2001 AF2 season was the second season of the AF2. The league champions were the Quad City Steamwheelers, who defended their title with a victory over the Richmond Speed in ArenaCup II... |
10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | .700 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| John Gregory | 2008 2008 af2 season The 2008 AF2 season was the ninth season of the AF2. The regular season began on Friday, March 28 and ended on Saturday, July 26. The league champions were the Tennessee Valley Vipers, who beat the Spokane Shock in ArenaCup IX.-Standings:... – |
33 | 27 | 30 | 0 | .474 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 1 | 4 | 0 | .200 | 0 | 0 | 0 |