John Pettit to be Inducted to IFL Hall of Fame Saturday
May 14, 2021 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Iowa Barnstormers News Release
When the Iowa Barnstormers take the field for their 2021 season opener in Sioux Falls on Saturday, it will be the first time without John Pettit.
The team's former chief operating officer and general manager passed away during the off-season due to COVID-19 leaving his daughter to assume the role he had held since the team came back to Des Moines in 2008.
At halftime, he'll be inducted into the Indoor Football League Hall of Fame.
Pettit started in the professional ranks by working with the Adirondack Red Wings in the American Hockey League. From there he became well entrenched with the Detroit Red Wings organization, playing a major role in the team's 25-season playoff streak.
John also owns a pair of Stanley Cup rings from his time in Detroit coming in back-to-back years in 1997 and 1998 as well as a number of championships with the Detroit Drive (AFL).
From there, John went East to Hartford with his family as part of the Madison Square Garden where he would work with teams like the Hartford Wolfpack (AHL) and the New England Seawolves (AFL).
He eventually came to Iowa to work with the Iowa Stars - an AHL team that would move South after a few seasons in Des Moines.
When the team left, Pettit stayed behind, and took the job with the Barnstormers that he would hold for the rest of his career. Over his career in Iowa, Pettit helped lead the Barnstormers to four playoff appearances as well as a championship in 2018.
His time and dedication to the sport of indoor football both nationally and in Iowa will be honored this Saturday.
Tune in on WatchStadium.com or find 'Stadium' on your preferred streaming service to watch Saturday's game against Sioux Falls. It is scheduled to kick off at 7:05 p.m. CT.
The Iowa Barnstormers will begin their home portion of the season on Saturday, May 22 at Wells Fargo Arena. Single game tickets are available now. For more information about ticket options, please call the Barnstormers at (515) 633-2255, or log on to www.theiowabarnstormers.com.
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- John Pettit to be Inducted to IFL Hall of Fame Saturday - Iowa Barnstormers
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