Indoor Football Top 10 for '09
by Danny Burnham
Published on March 5, 2009 under Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Everyone loves lists. So I'm going do a lot of âem.
The first one will get a lot of blood boiling and flowing. Anyone can rank teams and leagues, let's take a look at the people who will have the most effect on indoor football this season ... good or bad and who will call the shots.
Of course, the AFL and af2 will have the last word in 2010 ....
1) Dave McCarthy and Bob Bartosiewicz, Rochester Raider owners
No doubt, they've been one of the most successful on-the-field teams, winning 26 consecutive games and a CIFL championship, but they've also jumped from two different leagues and are now in their third, the IFL. They have the money, but they also have the egos. Whether or not the IFL's Eastern US goals succeed has a lot to do with these guys.
2) Gary Tufford, IFL Executive Director
His work with the WIFL was respected before the owners self-destructed that one-and-done league. Now his challenge is straightening out the UIF-IFL merger and making it work. Insiders say Tufford will be the key factor in the IFL's success, not commissioner Tommy Benizio, who isn't as strong in football ops as is Tufford, a former CFL player and af2 coach.
3) Thom Hager, Louisiana Swashbucklers, Southern Indoor Football League
Hager's taken a huge risk by not going with the IFL and starting his own league that encourages regionalization and reduced costs. The Swasbucklers have been successful; can he add four expansion teams to his wing and make it fly in 2009?
4) Kent Vucurevich and Jeff Sprowls, owners, Sioux Falls Storm and Omaha Beef
The Storm has won four consecutive titles and Sprowls, another NIFL refugee, has turned around the Beef. The sport needs strong owners like these two.
5) Brandon Smith, owner of El Paso Generals, Abilene Ruff Riders, Odessa Roughnecks.
Smith also has a stake in San Angelo, practically giving him an entire IFL division that he's floating. Like the Rochester owners, Smith also gets into it with fans on the message on the boards. Hate to use the comparison to Tony Pewonski, but let's face it, he's a multi-team owner and that has not worked well in the past.
6) Mike and Argeri Layton, owners, Wyoming Cavalry
Instead of joining the UIF, the Laytons held out in the NIFL as long as they could and opted for the AIFA. The payoff is this year. Unless the team chokes against two expansion team in Utah and a weak New Mexico team, Wyoming will host the league championship game in 2009.
7) Dan Ryan, SIFL Director of Communications
Have to give props to the guy who gave me my first break in sports writing. After successful PR stints in the WIFL and Frisco, now part of what may be the best league front office staff in the business.
8) Joe Criscione and Gene McCombs, AIFAfans.com
As much as I hate to admit it, Joe and Gene do a better job of promoting the AIFA than the AIFA itself. Fortunately, these guys aren't as fanatic as they used to be.
9) Michael Mink and John Morris, AIFA owners
At least the AIFA champions (Florence) is back, but 5 of 14 teams are new and Canton and Arizona just went dark. It's also a make or break year for these guys and their ability to run a league, not just throw money into it.
10) Jeff Spitaleri, CIFL owner
Like the AIFA, the CIFL is in "do it, or don't" mode. Streamlining to eight teams may work, but the West Virginia mess was another black eye the 7 on 7 guys would have liked to avoid.
Southern Indoor Football League Stories from March 5, 2009
- Indoor Football Top 10 for '09 - OSC Original by Danny Burnham
- SIFL Transactions - SIFL
- Be A Pro Cheerleader - Austin Turfcats
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
