IFL Indoor Football League

Indoor Football Weekly

by Danny Burnham
Published on May 12, 2009 under Indoor Football League (IFL)


I'm actually beginning to feel sorry for Tommy Benizio, the "Commissioner'' for the IFL.

Yep, I used italics.

The whole Sioux Falls fiasco was a lose-lose-lose. The Storm lost because they were incredibly wrong. The IFL lost because they didn't know how to react . The sport lost because it was another embarrassing debalcle on top of the already smoldering dung heap.

Then I find out he gives little more than a slap on the wrist to his buddy Chad Dittman for grabbing the face mask of a player from an opposing team during the game. $500 and no suspension. So much for disciplining owners.

This weekend was the funniest, though. He actually did something right and had the rug snatched from under him.

Benizio ruled that San Angelo couldn't activate head coach Sonny Cumbie as a player for Saturday's game with Wichita. Cumbie used to be the quarterback for the AFL's LA Avengers.

As soon as Benizio issued his ruling, his decision was overturned by an owner's executive committee. So why even have a commissioner in the first place?

The football gods intervened, and San Angelo lost at home at Wichita. The Stampede weren't the only losers.

Benizio lost because it shows how little power he has. The IFL lost because it continued to show how out of control it is.

From what I've learned, Benizio is a better salesperson than football person and is probably working some other deal to save himself. He may be a decent guy, but it's like choosing heart surgeons: You want the best guy for the job, not the best guy.

Now, let's be positive and give out some positive awards. I know it past mid-season, but I've been busy. High schoolTrack season is almost as bad as football

BURNHAM'S BEST FOR MID-SEASON

Coach (One for each league)

AIFA: Chad DeGrenier, Utah Valley. Hey, he beat Wyoming.

IFL: Brian Bents, El Paso. 5-1 with an expansion team.

CIFL: Steve McMichael, Chicago. I was a Bears fan way back when, and I'm a "Mongo" fan now. The Slaughter is dominating.

SIFL: John Fourcade, Acadiana. Bugs are 3-0.

PLAYER: (One for each league)

AIFA: Carlos Martinez, Columbus. Yeah, I know this is the same guy that Georgia Force coach Doug Plank said didn't deserve to have a number because he's just a kicker. So what? 25 UNOs! He'll be playing on Sundays in the fall.

IFL: Dixie Wooten, River City. This is sentimental. He used to be in Rome and had one problem. He liked to throw to the other team. Not any more.

CIFL: Russ Michna or Donovan Morgan, Chicago. I know that's two, but these guys' numbers are darned good.

SIFL: Hard to decide with only being three games in, but I'll give another sentimental vote: Acadiana's Bo Bartik. Bo has now played for more teams than Steve DeBerg, but this one may give him have another shot at a title.

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Indoor Football League Stories from May 12, 2009


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