Dayton Warbirds saved from extinction
Published on April 6, 2005 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Dayton Bulldogs News Release
LAKELAND, Fla. â The National Indoor Football League introduced a new member to its family last week when the Dayton (Ohio) Warbirds played their first game. The League's president, Carolyn Shiver said that because of the additional team, the NIFL schedule would be altered slightly to accommodate the Warbirds.
"The NIFL has banded together to insure that the Dayton franchise will meet its obligations to the fans and the corporate community," she said, after Warbirds were abandoned by another league. "More than $200,000 in ticket sales and sponsorships were nearly thrown away, but thanks to the owners and staffs of all the other teams, who have worked so tirelessly, the league has saved this football energized community.
"We ask the fans to be patient and support all of their teams," said Shiver. "The NIFL teams support great cities like Dayton, Ohio, and will work to make indoor football a better sport for all."
The Dayton franchise was obtained by Sunshine State Sports Management. Centurion Sports Management of Lakeland, Florida, also manages the NIFL teams the Lakeland ThunderBolts, the Kissimmee Kreatures and the Daytona Beach Hawgs, and also will manage and operate the Warbirds.
Jorge Ruiz, the vice president of sales for CSM, spearheaded the efforts and worked diligently to produce the Warbirds' inaugural game. He currently will serve in the capacity as general manager of the team.
"Jorge was instrumental in getting this franchise off the ground," said Anthony J. Pewonski, president of Centurion Sports Management. "Dayton is a great market and the community deserves good indoor football entertainment."
Scheduling changes will include Miami playing at the Lakeland ThunderbOlts on Saturday, April 9, and the Morays going over to Daytona Beach to play the Hawgs on Monday, April 11. Both games kickoff start at 7:05 p.m. (Eastern).
"We will have schedule changes," Shiver added. "If you are in an NIFL city, be a proud fan for the sacrifice your team is making. You are a part of a miracle."
Those changes begin this weekend when the Lakeland ThunderBolts (2-1) play host to the Miami Morays (3-0) Saturday night on Ray Lewis Field at the Lakeland Center. Miami then travels east on 1-4 to Daytona Beach to take on the Hawgs (2-1) on Monday at the Ocean Center. Kickoff is at 7:05 p.m.
On Saturday, the regularly scheduled game Kissimmee finds the Kreatures (1-2) entertaining the Corpus Christi Hammerheads (2-1). Kickoff is at 7:05 p.m.
Shiver said the league has been "blessed to have the NFL partner with us to improve our operations and officiating, that we feel it our responsibility to step up and prove that we have as much integrity and intensity as the NFL would, in making cities across America love indoor football as much as the outdoor game."
National Indoor Football League Stories from April 6, 2005
- Mavericks to visit Odessa - West Texas Roughnecks
- Dayton Warbirds saved from extinction - Dayton Bulldogs
- Maulers to play two games this weekend - Montgomery Bears
- Rage look to be Maulers in game against Montgomery - RiverCity Rage
- Hawgs announce schedule changes - Daytona Beach Hawgs
- Hammerheads' Anchor heads North of the Border - Corpus Christi Hammerheads
- NIFL adds Dayton, adjusts schedule - NIFL
- Askew scores 7 touchdowns in Marshals close loss - The Marshals
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