Professional Indoor Football League
Encyclopedia
The Professional Indoor Football League was the second league to successfully play indoor football as a paid pro-league sport
, after the Arena Football League. Since the AFL had a patent given in 1990 on the gameplay of "Arena Football
" (mainly the endzone nets), the PIFL played with mostly the same rules, but without the endzone nets. The PIFL only lasted one season (1998
) under that name.
The PIFL was started by Richard "Dick" Suess. Suess was deeply involved in football on the semi-pro and minor league level, and was editor–publisher of the Minor League Football News. In 1996, he began shopping around the idea of the PIFL, an indoor league created from the top minor league programs around the country. The league was finally formed in late 1997 and began its first season in 1998. The league offices were located in Las Vegas, Nevada
.
The PIFL was rife with problems from the start. The Colorado Wildcats
changed coaches during the preseason. By the third game, many teams were in serious financial trouble and started forfeiting games. The Minnesota Monsters
folded after Week # 5. Many other teams missed payrolls and this resulted in many players, including some of the best players, quitting.
In 1999
, the PIFL would essentially "split" into two leagues. Keary Ecklund, owner of the Green Bay Bombers
and Madison Mad Dogs
teams, and an owner–operator of Ecklund Carriers of Neenah, Wisconsin
(a trucking company), would take his two teams and form the Indoor Football League (IFL). On January 4, 1999, the remaining teams of the PIFL renamed the league to the Indoor Professional Football League
(IPFL).
During the planning stages of the Professional Indoor Football League the Louisiana Bayou Best were going to be called the Louisiana Crawdads; also during the planning stages Sacramento, California and Buffalo, New York were awarded charter memberships in the league. Both franchises had nicknames and looked ready to hit the field with the rest of the league for the 1998 season. The Sacramento Majestics and the Buffalo Blitz never made it. The Sacramento Majestics folded while the Buffalo Blitz moved first to Rochester, New York and became the Rochester Blitz then the franchise moved again this time to Syracuse, New York and became the Syracuse Blitz. The Syracuse Blitz never were a full-time member of the PIFL but did play a few exhibition games and were under consideration for membership as an expansion team for 1999. The reason for the club's relocation from Buffalo to Rochester then finally Syracuse was that the Arena Football League was looking into Miami, Florida and Buffalo, New York as markets for expansion. The AFL did add the Buffalo Destroyers as an expansion team in 1999. Besides the Syracuse Blitz there was a number of teams that played exhibition games against the full-time members of the PIFL. Those clubs were the West Virginia (Charleston) Wizards, Las Vegas Outlaws, and Tucson Mirage. Tucson later called itself the Arizona Mirage. These teams and many other cites were possible expansion teams that may have joined the PIFL for the league's second season in 1999.
Note: The Nebraska Chargers pre-season game vs the Tucson Mirage was canceled
Louisiana Bayou Beast 15-1
On November 12, 1998, The Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) and the Arena Football League reached a settlement agreement in the lawsuit brought by the Arena Football League against the PIFL for patent infringement. As part of the settlement, all present and future PIFL teams have agreed to honor the patents, trademarks, copyrights and net structure of the Arena Football League, and in return the Arena Football League has withdrawn its motion to seek a restraining order to prevent the PIFL from playing its games. Additionally, the PIFL has agreed to use the following disclaimer, "PIFL and its teams are not affiliated, sponsored or associated with the Arena Football League or any of its member teams," on all official publications. Professional Indoor Football League Commissioner Mike Storen stated, "The Professional Indoor Football League is happy to acknowledge the uniqueness of the Arena Football League's patented net system and method of play on the basis that this settlement will allow the Professional Indoor Football League to expand in an orderly fashion."
19 @ # 2 Madison Mad Dogs
46
August 9, 1998 - # 4 Colorado Wildcats
* 51 @ # 1 Louisiana Bayou Beast
67 (at Riverside Centroplex
)
Most Valuable Player - Melvin Hill, QB, Louisiana Bayou Beast
Offensive Player of the Year - Jay McDonagh, QB, Green Bay Bombers
Defensive Player of the Year - Derric Coakley, DE, Green Bay Bombers
Coach of the Year - Buford Jordan
, Louisiana Bayou Beast
Executive of the Year - James Shiver, Sr., Louisiana Bayou Beast
The Professional Indoor Football League earlier announced its 1998 All-Star teams as chosen by the PIFL coaches. The Green Bay Bombers
lead the list with five first team selections, including top vote getter quarterback Jay McDonagh. He is joined on the offensive first team by teammates Chris Perry and Heath Garland (both receivers), Louisiana's Michael Lewis
(WR), Chris Cloud (center) and Matt Huerkamp (kicker), Colorado's Rob Satterly (offensive line) and Utah's Matt Meservy (OL). Green Bay, Colorado and Madison each placed a pair of players on the defensive first team.
1998 Professional Indoor Football League All-Stars
and Ireland
. A six-team tournament was planned for August 22, 1998 in Manchester
, England. Terry Smith was the PIFL European League Director and was the head coach of the Great Britain Spartans. The Spartans were a very successful Europe
an minor American football club, trying to move up to the pro level. The Spartans played two exhibition games in the US on April 27, 1998 at the Madison Mad Dogs
and on April 29, 1998 at the Green Bay Bombers
. They lost both games, 12-29 to Madison and 34-55 to Green Bay. The proposed European Division, however, never actually started play.
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
, after the Arena Football League. Since the AFL had a patent given in 1990 on the gameplay of "Arena Football
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....
" (mainly the endzone nets), the PIFL played with mostly the same rules, but without the endzone nets. The PIFL only lasted one season (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:...
) under that name.
The PIFL was started by Richard "Dick" Suess. Suess was deeply involved in football on the semi-pro and minor league level, and was editor–publisher of the Minor League Football News. In 1996, he began shopping around the idea of the PIFL, an indoor league created from the top minor league programs around the country. The league was finally formed in late 1997 and began its first season in 1998. The league offices were located in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
.
The PIFL was rife with problems from the start. The Colorado Wildcats
Colorado Wildcats
The Colorado Wildcats was a team in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998. The Wildcats franchise was owned by Gary Kozacek, who also was head coach/owner of the same Wildcats team for the previous 9 years, as they competed in semi-pro football in and around Colorado...
changed coaches during the preseason. By the third game, many teams were in serious financial trouble and started forfeiting games. The Minnesota Monsters
Minnesota Monsters
The Minnesota Monsters was an indoor football team that played in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998. The Monsters franchise was owned by Robert and Joann Edwards. The team office was based in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, and played their games at Warner Coliseum on the Minnesota...
folded after Week # 5. Many other teams missed payrolls and this resulted in many players, including some of the best players, quitting.
In 1999
1999 in sports
1999 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Lasse Kjus, Norway** Women's overall season champion: Alexandra Meissnitzer, Austria-American football:...
, the PIFL would essentially "split" into two leagues. Keary Ecklund, owner of the Green Bay Bombers
Green Bay Bombers
The Green Bay Bombers was an indoor football team that played in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998, and in the Indoor Football League in 1999 & 2000. The Bombers franchise was owned by Keary Ecklund. The team office was based in Neenah, Wisconsin, and played their games at the Brown...
and Madison Mad Dogs
Madison Mad Dogs
The Madison Mad Dogs was an indoor football team that played in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998, and in the Indoor Football League in 1999 & 2000. The Mad Dogs franchise was owned by Keary Ecklund. The team office was based in Madison, Wisconsin, and played their games at the Dane...
teams, and an owner–operator of Ecklund Carriers of Neenah, Wisconsin
Neenah, Wisconsin
Neenah is a city on Lake Winnebago in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, United States. Its population was 24,507 at the 2000 census. The city is bordered by, but is politically independent of, the Town of Neenah. Neenah is the southwestern-most of the Fox Cities of Northeast Wisconsin...
(a trucking company), would take his two teams and form the Indoor Football League (IFL). On January 4, 1999, the remaining teams of the PIFL renamed the league to the Indoor Professional Football League
Indoor Professional Football League
The Indoor Professional Football League was the new incarnation of the Professional Indoor Football League , which started in 1998. Two of its teams left the league and their owner, Kerry Ecklund, founded the Indoor Football League in 1999...
(IPFL).
1998 PIFL teams
- Colorado WildcatsColorado WildcatsThe Colorado Wildcats was a team in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998. The Wildcats franchise was owned by Gary Kozacek, who also was head coach/owner of the same Wildcats team for the previous 9 years, as they competed in semi-pro football in and around Colorado...
– based in Denver, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains... - Green Bay BombersGreen Bay BombersThe Green Bay Bombers was an indoor football team that played in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998, and in the Indoor Football League in 1999 & 2000. The Bombers franchise was owned by Keary Ecklund. The team office was based in Neenah, Wisconsin, and played their games at the Brown...
- Honolulu HurricanesHonolulu HurricanesThis article is about the defunct Professional Indoor Football League team, for the American basketball Association team, see Hawaii Hurricanes...
- Louisiana Bayou BeastLouisiana Bayou BeastThe Louisiana Bayou Beast was a team in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998, in the Indoor Professional Football League in 1999, and reincarated in 2001 in the National Indoor Football League . The Bayou Beast franchise was owned by James and Carolyn Shiver, who currently own and...
- based in Baton Rouge, LouisianaBaton Rouge, LouisianaBaton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South... - Madison Mad DogsMadison Mad DogsThe Madison Mad Dogs was an indoor football team that played in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998, and in the Indoor Football League in 1999 & 2000. The Mad Dogs franchise was owned by Keary Ecklund. The team office was based in Madison, Wisconsin, and played their games at the Dane...
- Minnesota MonstersMinnesota MonstersThe Minnesota Monsters was an indoor football team that played in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998. The Monsters franchise was owned by Robert and Joann Edwards. The team office was based in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, and played their games at Warner Coliseum on the Minnesota...
- based in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MinnesotaMinnesotaMinnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state... - Texas BulletsTexas BulletsThe Texas Bullets were a team in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998. The Bullets franchise was owned by Wayne Stigler, who also was the team's head coach. The Bullets played their home games at the Bell County Expo Center in Belton, TX., with the team offices located in Temple, TX....
- based in Belton, TexasBelton, TexasBelton is a city in Bell County, Texas, United States. The population was 14,623 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Bell County.Belton is part of the Killeen – Temple – Fort Hood metropolitan area.-Geography:... - Utah CatzzUtah CatzzThe Utah Catzz was a team in the United States Professional Indoor Football League in 1998. The Catzz franchise was owned by Michael & Carla Curran, who also started a farm club for the Catzz, the Salt Lake Lions . The Catzz played their home games at the David O. McKay Events Center in Orem, UT.,...
- based in Orem, UtahOrem, UtahOrem is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States, in the north-central part of the state. It is adjacent to Provo, Lindon, and Vineyard and is about south of Salt Lake City. Orem is one of the principal cities of the Provo-Orem, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Utah and...
During the planning stages of the Professional Indoor Football League the Louisiana Bayou Best were going to be called the Louisiana Crawdads; also during the planning stages Sacramento, California and Buffalo, New York were awarded charter memberships in the league. Both franchises had nicknames and looked ready to hit the field with the rest of the league for the 1998 season. The Sacramento Majestics and the Buffalo Blitz never made it. The Sacramento Majestics folded while the Buffalo Blitz moved first to Rochester, New York and became the Rochester Blitz then the franchise moved again this time to Syracuse, New York and became the Syracuse Blitz. The Syracuse Blitz never were a full-time member of the PIFL but did play a few exhibition games and were under consideration for membership as an expansion team for 1999. The reason for the club's relocation from Buffalo to Rochester then finally Syracuse was that the Arena Football League was looking into Miami, Florida and Buffalo, New York as markets for expansion. The AFL did add the Buffalo Destroyers as an expansion team in 1999. Besides the Syracuse Blitz there was a number of teams that played exhibition games against the full-time members of the PIFL. Those clubs were the West Virginia (Charleston) Wizards, Las Vegas Outlaws, and Tucson Mirage. Tucson later called itself the Arizona Mirage. These teams and many other cites were possible expansion teams that may have joined the PIFL for the league's second season in 1999.
1997–98 PIFL Pre-season final standings
| Team | W–L | GP |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Monsters | 2-0 | 2 |
| West Virginia Wizards | 1-0 | 1 |
| Green Bay Bombers | 3-1 | 4 |
| Utah Catzz | 3-1 | 4 |
| Colorado Wildcats | 1-2 | 3 |
| Madison Mad Dogs | 1-3 | 4 |
| Louisiana Bayou Beast | 1-1 | 2 |
| Las Vegas Outlaws | 0-1 | 1 |
| Tucson Mirage | 0-2 | 2 |
| Texas Bullets | 0-3 | 3 |
| Nebraska Chargers | 0-0 | 0 |
Note: The Nebraska Chargers pre-season game vs the Tucson Mirage was canceled
1998 Final Regular Season Standings
W-L GPLouisiana Bayou Beast 15-1
The Lawsuit: Arena Football League v. PIFL
In February 1998, the Arena Football League sued the PIFL for allegedly infringing its trademarks, copyrights and patent. The PIFL answered and denied the Arena Football League's allegations. Late in June 1998, the Arena Football League filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction before Judge Harry Leinenweber in Federal Court in the Northern District of Illinois. The Motion was set for hearing on July 21, 1998. On July 20, 1998, the PIFL and its league members filed their response, which included video tapes and other evidence refuting the Arena Football League's allegations. On July 22, 1998, the day after receiving the PIFL's legal papers, the Arena Football League withdrew its Motion for Preliminary Injunction in a lawsuit in Federal Court in Chicago. This ended the Arena Football League's efforts to challenge the practices of any competing professional "indoor" football league and clarified that its patent essentially applied to its end zone rebound nets, not any and all efforts to play American football indoors.On November 12, 1998, The Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) and the Arena Football League reached a settlement agreement in the lawsuit brought by the Arena Football League against the PIFL for patent infringement. As part of the settlement, all present and future PIFL teams have agreed to honor the patents, trademarks, copyrights and net structure of the Arena Football League, and in return the Arena Football League has withdrawn its motion to seek a restraining order to prevent the PIFL from playing its games. Additionally, the PIFL has agreed to use the following disclaimer, "PIFL and its teams are not affiliated, sponsored or associated with the Arena Football League or any of its member teams," on all official publications. Professional Indoor Football League Commissioner Mike Storen stated, "The Professional Indoor Football League is happy to acknowledge the uniqueness of the Arena Football League's patented net system and method of play on the basis that this settlement will allow the Professional Indoor Football League to expand in an orderly fashion."
PIFL Playoffs
August 7, 1998 - # 3 Green Bay BombersGreen Bay Bombers
The Green Bay Bombers was an indoor football team that played in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998, and in the Indoor Football League in 1999 & 2000. The Bombers franchise was owned by Keary Ecklund. The team office was based in Neenah, Wisconsin, and played their games at the Brown...
19 @ # 2 Madison Mad Dogs
Madison Mad Dogs
The Madison Mad Dogs was an indoor football team that played in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998, and in the Indoor Football League in 1999 & 2000. The Mad Dogs franchise was owned by Keary Ecklund. The team office was based in Madison, Wisconsin, and played their games at the Dane...
46
August 9, 1998 - # 4 Colorado Wildcats
Colorado Wildcats
The Colorado Wildcats was a team in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998. The Wildcats franchise was owned by Gary Kozacek, who also was head coach/owner of the same Wildcats team for the previous 9 years, as they competed in semi-pro football in and around Colorado...
* 51 @ # 1 Louisiana Bayou Beast
Louisiana Bayou Beast
The Louisiana Bayou Beast was a team in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998, in the Indoor Professional Football League in 1999, and reincarated in 2001 in the National Indoor Football League . The Bayou Beast franchise was owned by James and Carolyn Shiver, who currently own and...
67 (at Riverside Centroplex
Baton Rouge River Center
The Baton Rouge River Center is a municipally owned multi-purpose 200,000 square feet entertainment facility located on the Mississippi River in downtown Baton Rouge, the capital city of Louisiana.It is maintained by a private management company, SMG, which presents more than five...
)
- Colorado's trip to Louisiana was paid for by the owners of the Bayou Beast.
Award winners
Following the championship game, the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) saluted its best with an on-the-field awards ceremony. Those honored were as follows:Most Valuable Player - Melvin Hill, QB, Louisiana Bayou Beast
Louisiana Bayou Beast
The Louisiana Bayou Beast was a team in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998, in the Indoor Professional Football League in 1999, and reincarated in 2001 in the National Indoor Football League . The Bayou Beast franchise was owned by James and Carolyn Shiver, who currently own and...
Offensive Player of the Year - Jay McDonagh, QB, Green Bay Bombers
Green Bay Bombers
The Green Bay Bombers was an indoor football team that played in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998, and in the Indoor Football League in 1999 & 2000. The Bombers franchise was owned by Keary Ecklund. The team office was based in Neenah, Wisconsin, and played their games at the Brown...
Defensive Player of the Year - Derric Coakley, DE, Green Bay Bombers
Green Bay Bombers
The Green Bay Bombers was an indoor football team that played in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998, and in the Indoor Football League in 1999 & 2000. The Bombers franchise was owned by Keary Ecklund. The team office was based in Neenah, Wisconsin, and played their games at the Brown...
Coach of the Year - Buford Jordan
Buford Jordan
Paul Buford Jordan is a former professional American football running back in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints....
, Louisiana Bayou Beast
Louisiana Bayou Beast
The Louisiana Bayou Beast was a team in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998, in the Indoor Professional Football League in 1999, and reincarated in 2001 in the National Indoor Football League . The Bayou Beast franchise was owned by James and Carolyn Shiver, who currently own and...
Executive of the Year - James Shiver, Sr., Louisiana Bayou Beast
Louisiana Bayou Beast
The Louisiana Bayou Beast was a team in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998, in the Indoor Professional Football League in 1999, and reincarated in 2001 in the National Indoor Football League . The Bayou Beast franchise was owned by James and Carolyn Shiver, who currently own and...
The Professional Indoor Football League earlier announced its 1998 All-Star teams as chosen by the PIFL coaches. The Green Bay Bombers
Green Bay Bombers
The Green Bay Bombers was an indoor football team that played in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998, and in the Indoor Football League in 1999 & 2000. The Bombers franchise was owned by Keary Ecklund. The team office was based in Neenah, Wisconsin, and played their games at the Brown...
lead the list with five first team selections, including top vote getter quarterback Jay McDonagh. He is joined on the offensive first team by teammates Chris Perry and Heath Garland (both receivers), Louisiana's Michael Lewis
Michael Lewis (NFL receiver)
Michael Kendall Lewis is a former American football wide receiver and return specialist who is currently the team ambassador of the New Orleans Saints. He was signed by the Louisiana Bayou Beast in 1998...
(WR), Chris Cloud (center) and Matt Huerkamp (kicker), Colorado's Rob Satterly (offensive line) and Utah's Matt Meservy (OL). Green Bay, Colorado and Madison each placed a pair of players on the defensive first team.
1998 Professional Indoor Football League All-Stars
- First Team
- Offense
- QB Jay McDonagh, Green Bay
- RB Darnell Brooks, Colorado
- WR Heath Garland, Green Bay
- WR Michael LewisMichael Lewis (NFL receiver)Michael Kendall Lewis is a former American football wide receiver and return specialist who is currently the team ambassador of the New Orleans Saints. He was signed by the Louisiana Bayou Beast in 1998...
, Louisiana - WR Chris Perry, Green Bay
- OL Matt Meservey, Utah
- OL Rob Satterly, Colorado
- C Chris Cloud, Louisiana
- K Matt Huerkamp, Louisiana
- Defense
- LB James Gillyard, Louisiana
- LB Jeff Veronie, Colorado
- S Nick Galbreath, Colorado
- DB Ryan Buchanon, Madison
- DB Derf Reese, Green Bay
- DE Derric Coakley, Green Bay
- DE Tawain Temple, Madison
- NT Junior Fonoti, Utah
- LB Matthew House, Texas (Res.)
- Offense
- Second Team
- Offense
- QB Mike Tillis, Honolulu
- RB Byron AllenByron AllenByron Allen is an American comedian. He is the head of Entertainment Studios, a broadcast syndication company responsible for producing and distributing several television shows pertaining to stand-up comedy and the entertainment industry. Allen also hosts some of the shows himself.-Early...
, Louisiana - WR Antonio Chandler, Colorado
- WR Greg Hooks, Utah
- WR Kahn Powell, Madison
- OL Jim HobbinsJim HobbinsJim Hobbins was a player in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers in 1987 as a guard. He played at the collegiate level at the University of Minnesota.-References:...
, Green Bay - C Andy Ramos, Honolulu
- K Bryan Mader, Green Bay
- Defense
- LB Joshua Jardine, Honolulu
- LB Pat Rogers, Louisiana
- S Jack Phillips, Louisiana
- DB Keith BallardKeith BallardKeith Ballard is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently a member of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . He played college hockey for the Minnesota Golden Gophers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association for three seasons...
, Louisiana - DB Falinko Vitale, Honolulu
- NT Kale Cockett, Honolulu
- DE Charles JohnsonCharles JohnsonCharles Johnson, Charlie Johnson, Charley Johnson or Chuck Johnson may refer to:-American public officials:*Charles Johnson , Democratic-Republican who represented 8th congressional district, 1801–1802...
, Louisiana - DE Franklin Thomas, Louisiana
- Offense
- Honorable Mention
- Offense
- QB Melvin Hill, Louisiana
- RB Willie High, Green Bay
- RB Darnell Jones, Honolulu
- WR Lee McCormick, Texas
- OL Brandon Bergstresser, Madison
- OL Curtis JonesCurtis JonesCurtis Alan Jones is an American electronica and house music singer, songwriter and producer. His style of house music has been compared and inspired by the likes of Kraftwerk, Prince, Gary Numan, and Nitzer Ebb....
, Utah - C Carl Silva, Utah
- K Doug Beach, Utah
- Defense
- LB Junior Tagaloa, Utah
- LB Jose Salcido, Madison
- S Nick McDaniel, Utah
- DB Damon Jackson, Colorado
- DB Jesse Tann, Colorado
- NT David CunninghamDavid Cunningham (American football)-Coaching career:Coach David Cunningham was the head college football coach for the McPherson Bulldogs located in McPherson, Kansas. He held that position for 5 seasons, from 2002 until 2006. His coaching record at McPherson was 24 wins and 26 losses...
, Madison - DE Jeff WarnerJeff WarnerJeff Warner is an American professional wrestler, best known under the ringname J.W. Storm. Jeff competed in World Championship Wrestling most notably as a member of the jobber tag team Magnum Force with Tim Hunt....
, Madison - DE Norm Barnett, Colorado
- Offense
PIFL European Division
The PIFL proposed European Division was set to kick off in November 1998 with teams in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. A six-team tournament was planned for August 22, 1998 in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England. Terry Smith was the PIFL European League Director and was the head coach of the Great Britain Spartans. The Spartans were a very successful Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an minor American football club, trying to move up to the pro level. The Spartans played two exhibition games in the US on April 27, 1998 at the Madison Mad Dogs
Madison Mad Dogs
The Madison Mad Dogs was an indoor football team that played in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998, and in the Indoor Football League in 1999 & 2000. The Mad Dogs franchise was owned by Keary Ecklund. The team office was based in Madison, Wisconsin, and played their games at the Dane...
and on April 29, 1998 at the Green Bay Bombers
Green Bay Bombers
The Green Bay Bombers was an indoor football team that played in the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998, and in the Indoor Football League in 1999 & 2000. The Bombers franchise was owned by Keary Ecklund. The team office was based in Neenah, Wisconsin, and played their games at the Brown...
. They lost both games, 12-29 to Madison and 34-55 to Green Bay. The proposed European Division, however, never actually started play.