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America's Premier Indoor Football League Selects Wasilla

November 11, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Seattle Timberwolves News Release


Professional football is coming to the Mat-Su Valley. On Monday, the Indoor Football League's board of directors voted in favor of an expansion franchise for the city of Wasilla. The Arctic Predators, an expansion professional football franchise, will begin play in the Indoor Football League (IFL) beginning in March of 2010. The team will call the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center its home facility.

The Predators will hold a news conference on Monday, November 16th at 3:00 pm at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center to introduce the franchise, members of the ownership group, and Head Coach, Hans Deemer. Wasilla Mayor Verne Rupright is expected to also attend the news conference.

"This is a great day for Wasilla. Bringing professional football to Wasilla means additional entertainment options for residents throughout the valley," said Chris Kokalis, Predators President and co-owner. "This is a great town and we look forward to becoming active members of the community. We are committed to building a long-term relationship with the city of Wasilla, local businesses, the Indoor Football League and football fans."

The Predators are co-owned by Chris Kokalis & Ken Moninski. Moninski, born and raised in Alaska, has gained experience in a variety or business functions during his over 20 years in the airline industry. Serving in senior management positions at Evergreen International Aviation and Virgin Atlantic Airways, he led several airport infrastructure projects and joint-venture initiatives in North America, China and Spain. In the 1990s he was also a founder and board member of a new entrant regional airline in Colorado. He is the Owner/President of Global Aircraft Services, an aviation services company providing flight crews and logistics for the managed movement of commercial aircraft around the world. Global was named an Inc. 5,000 company in 2009, recognizing its growth in supporting the world's leading aircraft leasing companies and fastest growing airlines. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and is a volunteer with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters mentoring program.

"I am excited about strengthening professional sports in the great state of Alaska. I grew up here and still have many friends and family throughout the state," said Moninski.

Kokalis has a lengthy resume within professional sports. He has held a variety of administrative, marketing and sales positions with teams such as the Minnesota Thunder, Milwaukee Rampage and Los Angeles Dodgers. Most recently, he served as General Manager of the Milwaukee Bonecrushers of the Continental Indoor Football League from October 2007 to April 2008.

Kokalis, Moninski, and Wisconsin businessman Bob Sullivan are also co-owners of the La Crosse Spartans, an IFL franchise in La Crosse, WI.

The Indoor Football League (www.goifl.com) is a 24-team league based out of Richmond, Virginia with franchises in 13 states. Wasilla becomes the third Alaskan franchise for the IFL joining the Alaska Wild and the Fairbanks Grizzlies. The league holds a 14-game regular season schedule that runs March through June. The IFL's playoffs culminate in August with the IFL United Bowl. In addition to a seven-game home schedule, the Predators will also host one pre-season game and a family night event.

Football fans will have the opportunity to learn more about the Predators-and reserve season tickets - with the launch of the team's website, www.arcticpredatorsfootball.com, on Monday.

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Indoor Football League Stories from November 11, 2009


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.

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