Not good news

[cardsrule22]

Since Dlow Brown decided he did not want to own the Stallions anymore he quit paying the bills. The team had no way to cover travel to the Mayham game because the funds were cut off by him. He also did not pay the insurance bill to cover the rest of the season. The players furious and some of them have already signed with other teams in other leagues. Winsten Tayler signed with Bloomington the other day. The other owner Mark something disappeared also. The other owner Chris I guess never gave up but the money was coming from Dlo so it ended the team. I am surprised that it last this long. One of the players told me that the team will be coming back next year with local ownership but will not play in the CIFL. One of the coaches that is going to be an owner said the CIFL is a joke and does not want anything to do with it because it is not ran very well. He said they have already contacted the UIF.

[ChampionOfSteel]

http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070617/SPORTS/706170334/1006

[cardsrule22]

Why would the league not inform Marion until an hour before the game?

[ChampionOfSteel]

Why would the league not inform Marion until an hour before the game?

I'm guessin' the Springfield players/coaches/owners probably turned into f it mode when it became insurmountable to get to Marion.

Usually a team arrives at least 3-4 hours before kickoff The Marion administrators probably made a bunch of phone calls (cell phones) to the latest players/coaches/admin of Springfield when the bus/car caravan didn't arrive by 5PM. Eventually the Marion admin. got a hold of someone from Springfield and said they never left and everyone walked.

Question I have is Chicago has a home date against Springfield. Are the Chicago administrators going to push their game tickets against Springfield can be used for the playoffs?

I'm bettin' Marion and Chicago already spent their season ticket money for their games against Springfield so that rules out the refund option.

I almost went to the Marion game last night.

Gotta believe Steubenville will be like the '74 WFL New York Stars/Charlotte Hornets and will withdraw from the CIFL playoffs after next weekend of play is completed. So that leaves 12 teams out of 14 that are still in business battling for 10 playoff spots.

[WorcShark]

Why would the league not inform Marion until an hour before the game?

Well either the league will say a press release is coming (and then not issue it), or explain how it isn't their fault, that it is the team's/owners fault.

I think the league has run out of black eyes.

[tony-o]

Well either the league will say a press release is coming (and then not issue it), or explain how it isn't their fault, that it is the team's/owners fault.

I think the league has run out of black eyes.

I doubt the league even knew about Springfield not leaving until Marion knew. The league's only mistake was actually allowing the Stallions in. They aren't the people to blame in this instance.

[cardsrule22]

Coach said he told the league on Friday that they probabaly would not be traveling and informed the league at noon Saturday that they definately were not going to make the trip. I do not think you can blame the league. The Stallions were doomed after the first owner took off with the cash and disappeared. He took off from town so fast that his car is still in Springfield! The next guy who took over was Dlow Brown and sometime in May he quit and that left it to the last guy. Coach said he was working three jobs back in Ohio to get funds to get the team to the end of the season. The players decided as a group that they were done and did not want to travel. It all comes back on Justin Getys for doing what he did earlier in the season. The team should have just folded after week two when it happened instead of trying to put new bandaids on every week. I met Getys and didnt like him. I met Dlow and he was a really nice guy. I met Chris and he was a really nice guy to but his hands were tied. I have already heard that a group of ownes including the last Stallions owner around will have a team in Springfield next season but are going to play in a league like the UIF or APFL or some new league that is being formed out this way. I will support them even if my buddies are not playing on the team next season.

[Sykotyk]

Actually, Steubenville lost last night and according to the league officials that were there, the team is disqualified from the playoffs.

On a side note, CoS, for a league you hate so much, why were you even contemplating attending?

I know in 2004 when a lot of NIFL crap came about, I swore to never go to another NIFL game again, and didn't.

Where's that conviction from you? Or are you all talk?

Sykotyk

[ChampionOfSteel]

Actually, Steubenville lost last night and according to the league officials that were there, the team is disqualified from the playoffs.

Ok, thanks for that tidbit. That wasn't public information on the disqualification thing that I missed, right?

On a side note, CoS, for a league you hate so much, why were you even contemplating attending?

I don't hate the league, I hate the folks in charge and the bonehead decisions made by those folks back in February that doomed them to this point.

I was sort of intrigued and desired to go and see firsthand a different Springfield Stallion team wearing perhaps different uniforms against Marion. The Mayhem put on a good show when it comes to entertainment between plays. The weather was nice for a drive to the barn that night too. Would have been a good place to people watch, like an arts fair.

I know in 2004 when a lot of NIFL crap came about, I swore to never go to another NIFL game again, and didn't.

I'm intrigued by the NIFL game system when I attend the Marshals first home of the season this year. It was an opportunity to witness firsthand how something good (the game system) and go to hell in a handbasket (unfinanced teams).

Where's that conviction from you?

It's still there. I assure you it never left.

Or are you all talk?

Definitely NOT all talk. No funds to start my own league and no plans ever to start my own league if that's what you meant.

Those games (Marion/Cincy) were an education on how to be successful: Watch what they do, and then don't do it.

I have no anticipation or emotional commitment to the NIFL or CIFL that everyone that began their season would complete it.

[Jamie]

Where's that conviction from you? Or are you all talk?

He's still busy leading his boycott of indoor football message boards.

[ChampionOfSteel]

He's still busy leading his boycott of indoor football message boards.

Makes no sense at all on what you just said.

[Jamie]

To be expected.

[ChampionOfSteel]

To be expected.

Whatever....

[exit322]

Not a good day for the CIFL. Games weren't even over and people called to ask me if I'm laughing about the CIFL falling apart in spectacular fashion.

So I'll answer it here.

No, I'm not laughing about it. I think the league has made its own bed, but I'm certainly not enjoying it. There was a good thing here, and that good thing is so far gone it's not funny. Good people running good teams are being hurt because of this, and it's not funny. I've not laughed about it at all. I'm getting no satisfaction out of it, because this hurts the game of indoor football.

[ChampionOfSteel]

Not a good day for the CIFL. Games weren't even over and people called to ask me if I'm laughing about the CIFL falling apart in spectacular fashion.

So I'll answer it here.

No, I'm not laughing about it. I think the league has made its own bed, but I'm certainly not enjoying it. There was a good thing here, and that good thing is so far gone it's not funny. Good people running good teams are being hurt because of this, and it's not funny. I've not laughed about it at all. I'm getting no satisfaction out of it, because this hurts the game of indoor football.

The good news is the students at Ohio University's Sports Management program now have case study material for their class assignments.

[WorcShark]

The league should have been monitoring this team real close after the 1st round of issues.

And on the CIFL board (before it gets deleted)

dcfb15: "If it is money why get on the radio and tell fans they has a bus break down?"

tallest owner: "dcfb, that is the reason that we were told by the league office at 6:15 pm on game day, we knew no different. The real reasons seem to be coming out on this forum or are these accusations even true? We, the owners were stunned by the call at 6:15 pm, 50 minutes before kick off. We made the best of a bad situation, period. We only reported what we were told."

[cardsrule22]

The league should have been monitoring this team real close after the 1st round of issues.

And on the CIFL board (before it gets deleted)

dcfb15: "If it is money why get on the radio and tell fans they has a bus break down?"

tallest owner: "dcfb, that is the reason that we were told by the league office at 6:15 pm on game day, we knew no different. The real reasons seem to be coming out on this forum or are these accusations even true? We, the owners were stunned by the call at 6:15 pm, 50 minutes before kick off. We made the best of a bad situation, period. We only reported what we were told."


It was not a money issue. The article in our paper in Springfield this morning even says that the one owner sent money to cover travel costs. The problem was they could not get enough guys to play. Some guys left this week to play in other leagues and they did not replace them. If you were told it was because the bus broke down then whoever told you that flat out lied to you.

I am pretty sure the league knew what was going on the entire time. Coach told me that he and the one owner were in constant contact with the league each week. The league knew where the team was all the time.

[WorcShark]

It was not a money issue. The article in our paper in Springfield this morning even says that the one owner sent money to cover travel costs. The problem was they could not get enough guys to play. Some guys left this week to play in other leagues and they did not replace them. If you were told it was because the bus broke down then whoever told you that flat out lied to you.

I am pretty sure the league knew what was going on the entire time. Coach told me that he and the one owner were in constant contact with the league each week. The league knew where the team was all the time.

Travel costs covered - what about insurance?

So then "tallest owner" (who is an owner) is lying when he says the league told them the bus broke down at 6:15 on game day?

[ChampionOfSteel]

The league should have been monitoring this team real close after the 1st round of issues.

This was bound to happen. The CIFL in its 2nd season was like the Titantic's single hull boat system (see Discovery Channel's program on the Titanic) -- one puncture and the boat will sink. At least boats nowadays have multiple pockets in its hull design so this won't happen.

Monitoring would not have done much. Anyone attempting to discipline their players in practice would probably walk if the coach got on their case for not executing a play right, showing up late, etc: "Coach, I haven't been paid in how many weeks?! I quit!"

The SM students at Ohio U. will have the opening line to their speeches as ... those that don't study the past (WFL) are destined to repeat it (CIFL).

[cardsrule22]

Travel costs covered - what about insurance?

So then "tallest owner" (who is an owner) is lying when he says the league told them the bus broke down at 6:15 on game day?

I am not calling him a liar I am saying that if the league told him it was because the bus broke down then they lied to him.

[WorcShark]

I am not calling him a liar I am saying that if the league told him it was because the bus broke down then they lied to him.

Yes, that was my point as well.

[WorcShark]

Monitoring would not have done much.

I probably should clarify my monitoring comment. It was only meant to protect whoever was going to play this or any team that is in trouble. Like multiple check-ins during the week. Basically asking "are you ready to play this week?" "Are you ready to travel?" Right up until Saturday AM, and keep the other team informed. Sort of like checking in with a probation officer.

Sounds like Marion handled it the best they could. But say they lost money because they had no one to play - can they sue the team, sue the league?

[cardsrule22]

There is an article in today's Springfield State Journal-Register (linked on OSC's CIFL page) stating that the Stallions did not travel to Marion because several of the players had already made plans for Father's Day, and also because they did not have enough money to buy gas. WOW!!!!! I hope this league never goes away. My stomach hurts from laughing so much!

Actually it was guys who were not players before that they contacted about playing the last two games. Guys had other plans or committments already and could not play. He is not talking about current players or coaches on the roster. There were not enough of us available to fill out a full roster.

[ChampionOfSteel]

Actually it was guys who were not players before that they contacted about playing the last two games. Guys had other plans or committments already and could not play. He is not talking about current players or coaches on the roster. There were not enough of us available to fill out a full roster.

Father's day is the tip of the iceburg (spelling) and only a superficial reason. The concern over playing for free without insurance, being out of shape with 48 hours notice to play, suiting up against the wishes of the original team that sees you as a scab (crossing the picket line), are THE real reasons why no one joined.

Why put up with that crap when you can spend the day taking in rays on a nice day with everyone honoring you on Father's day?

[mrinsideto-u]

It was not a money issue. The article in our paper in Springfield this morning even says that the one owner sent money to cover travel costs. The problem was they could not get enough guys to play. Some guys left this week to play in other leagues and they did not replace them. If you were told it was because the bus broke down then whoever told you that flat out lied to you.

I am pretty sure the league knew what was going on the entire time. Coach told me that he and the one owner were in constant contact with the league each week. The league knew where the team was all the time. What guys left to play in other league's, replacement teams for the NIFL? What guys went to other teams? This team is only APFL quality. Oh thats where they went to, Iowa. Just looking for a list that is A2 material.

[cardsrule22]

What guys left to play in other league's, replacement teams for the NIFL? What guys went to other teams? This team is only APFL quality. Oh thats where they went to, Iowa. Just looking for a list that is A2 material.

It was said on the local talk radio station today. They also mentioned that the owner that was left after everyone else left has local investors already in place for 2008. He said that they plan to join either the UIF or a new league that is being formed in the midwest. This team will do well without Getys in the mix from the start. I am surprised that Dlow Brown quit though. The last owner left was in Springfield today meeting with local ownership so that they can get something in place and organized soon. The radio station ripped the CIFL really good on the air. They said it was ran like a backyard league. I don't think the blame should be on the league because of what happened. Getys should take full blame for what happened here not the league. The owner that did not quit on the team is suppose to be on the morning show tomorrow morning to talk about everything.

[exit322]

The league will take blame for not doing a check on an owner that apparently had other plans, whether or not it's warranted.

Because SC/STB both are disasters, the credibility the league could have in saying "We wouldn't have known Gettys was so bad" is also eliminated, whether or not the league was at fault.

The players didn't want to pay the money to travel to Marion just for the right to get their butts whooped. Can't say I blame them for that; there's plenty of semi-professional options for players that want to keep playing and aren't good enough to play in a pro league.

[Sykotyk]

The AF2 also has the luxury of operating as a single-entity. When Roanoke went broke, they stopped sending money to the league, who kept redirecting it to the players, etc. The AF2 hefty fees were used to keep the team 'afloat' just long enough for them to make it through the season before axing them.

Same thing's going on in Fort Wayne right now. And who knows where else. The AF2 is pretty secretive about it. Just remember, in the AF2, the good teams get hurt by having their dues go to cover bad teams the AF2 has to bandage.

Sykotyk

[ChampionOfSteel]

The AF2 also has the luxury of operating as a single-entity. When Roanoke went broke, they stopped sending money to the league, who kept redirecting it to the players, etc. The AF2 hefty fees were used to keep the team 'afloat' just long enough for them to make it through the season before axing them.

Same thing's going on in Fort Wayne right now. And who knows where else. The AF2 is pretty secretive about it. Just remember, in the AF2, the good teams get hurt by having their dues go to cover bad teams the AF2 has to bandage.

Sykotyk

That would be a GREAT procedure to have in place to make sure no one folds during the season. I haven't seen any AF2 teams fold during the season. I bet Marion would have appreciated an annual hefty fee in place so the Springfield situation didn't crap on them last weekend. I bet Marion would have appreciated not having as many teams in the league with barebones checkbooks on top of that as well.

Sykotyk, you do know what it takes to have all teams complete their season. Why do you continue to side with the bush league boyz, year after year? Would it not have been better to have a CIFL with just 6-8 well funded teams this past year with an annual hefty fee in place?