NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Wyoming Cavalry Cease Operations

September 25, 2014 - Indoor Football League (IFL) - Wyoming Cavalry News Release


(Casper, WY) The owners of the Wyoming Cavalry Professional Indoor Football team announce that the team will not play in 2015, what would have been the 16th season.

"It is With great sadness that the Cavalry will not participate in the 2015 season," says Cavalry majority owner, Mitch Zimmennan. "The Cavalry has enjoyed great fan, community and sponsor support over the past 15 years, and we thank each and every one of you. Thanks to the coaches and players. Thank you also to the numerous volunteers that helped with game day and feeding the players. I would like to personally thank the Layrons for all their hard work and dedication in running the team; it has been a pleasure Working with them."

"The decision to not bring the team back for the 2015 season was not an easy one," continues Zimmerman. "Hou/ever, with the changing times, declining attendance, and other factors outside of our control, we feel we have no choice but to close this chapter of professional indoor football in Wyoming." l

It is no secret that the Cavalry struggled on thc over the past three seasons, with a record of 6-36. Head Coach Dan Macíejczak (Coach Majíc) lcd the team in to a 4-1() record and Coach Ryan Lingcnfelder, led the tcam to a record of the past two seasons.

After three trips to the championship games in the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA), the Cavalry joined the Indoor Football League (IPL) in 2011; under Maciejczak, the Cavalry ended their IFL inaugural. season with a record. The 201i season Was the last time the Cavalry played past the regular season, ultimately losing to the Allen Wranglers in the first . round ofthe playoffs.

The Cavalry joined the AIFA for the 2008 season after the demise ofthe National Indoor Football League (NIFL). The Cavalry, under Maciejezak, ended their three year tenure inthe AIFA with a 36-6 record. The team lost to the Florence (SC) Phantoms 48-12 in 2008 in AIFA Bowl Il and to the Baltimore (MD) Mariners 57-42 in 2010 in AIFA Bowl IV. The Cavalry hosted the Reading Express on July 26, 2009 in AIFA Bowl III, but were defeated 65-42.

The Cavalry hired Maciejczak in 2007 upon the resignation of head coach Shannon Moore (2005-2006). The Cavalry ended their NIFL regular season with only one loss; they were defeated 52-45 by the San Diego Shockwave, an expansion team. The Cavalry traveled to North Carolina in July 2007 to play the Fayetteville Guard in the Budweiser Indoor Football Championship Bowl a game that was televised thanks to KZTV, numerous sponsors, Guard owner Richard King and AIFA President John Morris. Unfortunately, the Cavalry came up short, losing to the Guard 48-34.

During the 2005 and 2006 seasons, under head coach Shannon Moore, the Cavalry flnished their regular Seasons with 10-4 and 8-6 records, respectiveìy, and earned playoff spots both years. In 2005, the Cavaìry hosted their home playoff game since the 2001 season, ultimately losing to the Tri Cities Fever. In 2006, the Cavalry traveled to Kennewick, WA to, once again, face the Fever in the firsî round of playoffs, and once again, were defeated and eliminated from the rest of the post season.

The Cavalry's roots are traced back to the year 2000; the Casper Cavalry began play as an expansion tearn in the 'original' Indoor Football League (1FL). Head Coach Chris Stein led the team to a respectable 9-5 record and playoff Spot. The Cavalry lost (68-34) to the Black Hills Machine in the Ílrst round ofthe post season. After the season, the entire league was purchased bythe Orlando Predators.

Due to the positive response from Wyoming fans regarding indoor football, the City of Casper along with local business men and women formed an ownership group, and the Wyoming Cavalry, along with 17 other teams, became a charter member of the in 2001.

Under the leadership of Scott Hatley, the Cavalry ended their first regular season in the NIFL with an 8-6 record. The team defeated both the Utah Rattlers and the Sioux Falls Storm in the playoffs to earn their Way into their first appearance in a championship game. The Cavalry traveled to Biloxi, MS to play the Mississippi Fire Dogs in Indoor Bowl l - their ñrst bowl game appearance. Unfortunately the Cavalry were defeated 55-21.

During the 2002 and 2003 seasons, under head coach Tyrone Fittjc, the Cavalry recorded a record. Chris Stein was brought back to iead the team in 2004; the Cavalry ended their 2004 reguìar season with a 5-9 record, and again, no post-season play. '

"We enjoyed championship years and years that didn't seem to go our way," says Zimmerman. "We know the Cavaìry be missed."

• Discuss this story on the Indoor Football League message board...

Indoor Football League Stories from September 25, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Wyoming Cavalry Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central