Jim Ballard announced as the CIFL Commissioner

February 27, 2007 - Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) News Release


Jim Ballard's football career has spanned many different leagues and many different teams, but his newest gig will bring that career full circle.

On Tuesday, February 27, the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) formally announced Ballard as the league's first Commissioner.

"It's a great honor to be named commissioner, it just brings my football career full circle," said Ballard. "I've played in so many leagues and with so many teams, and I've had the experience to know what will work and what won't work."

Ballard's primary duties will include enforcing rules in accordance with the league rulebook, ruling on issues involving players, coaches and teams, enforcing fines and suspensions to teams, players and coaches of the CIFL and representing the league at various games and public appearances.

"I'm going to continue to help this league grow and provide fan and family-friendly entertainment," continued Ballard. "With all the experiences I've had, I think I can be an asset to this league."

Ballard's playing career began at Cuyahoga Falls High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. After graduating from CFHS, Ballard enrolled at Wilmington College, but then transferred to Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio.

Under the tutelage of Larry Kehres, the all-time winningest coach in NCAA history, Ballard's career soared. He was a four-year starter, a three-time All American and led the Purple Raiders to the school's first national title in 1993.

On an individual basis, Ballard was the inaugural winner of the Gagliardi Trophy and the Melberger Award as the NCAA Division III National Player of the Year. He finished his career with over 12,000 passing yards, 150 touchdowns and held 17 different Division III national collegiate records.

After his collegiate career ended, Ballard started the long journey through professional football that eventually led him to where he is now as the CIFL Commissioner.

During his professional career, Ballard spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills of the NFL, the London Monarchs and Scottish Claymores of the World League, the Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan RoughRiders of the CFL, the Buffalo Destroyers and Indiana Firebirds of the AFL and the Las Vegas Outlaws of the XFL.

In his first stint with the Claymores in 1996, Ballard led the team to its only World Bowl Championship. He remains the team's second all-time leading passer and was inducted into the Scottish Claymores Hall of Fame in 2001.

After his playing career ended, Ballard took to the sidelines as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator of the Canton Legends of the AIFL.

"I've been blessed to be able to be a part of football for all of my professional life," said Ballard. "With the contacts I have with all levels of football, I can help the guys in the CIFL move up to the next level of football."

Ballard also runs his own football camps in Northeast Ohio, offering instruction to youths who have the desire the play at the highest level. Instructors for his camps include Super Bowl champion and nine-year NFL veteran Elvis Grbac, Mount Union all-time leading rusher Chuck Moore, Mount Union all-time leading receiver Adam Marino, Mount Union second all-time leading receiver Ed Bubonics, Green Bay Packers scout Lee Gissendaner, Michigan graduate and three-year NFL veteran Ricky Powers and Ballard himself.

To read more about the new CIFL commissioner visit his website at www.jimballard13.com or e-mail him at jballard@continentalindoorfootball.com.



Continental Indoor Football League Stories from February 27, 2007


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