Shock Announce Move to the Indoor Football League
September 1, 2015 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Spokane Shock News Release
SPOKANE, Washington (September 1, 2015) - The Shock held a press conference today at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena where they announced that they will be joining the Indoor Football League for the 2016 season. As a part of the press conference, the Shock also announced the return of Adam Shackleford as Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel.
"Today is great day in the history of the IFL," stated IFL Commissioner Michael Allshouse. "The Spokane Shock are one of the most recognizable and well-regarded organizations in all of indoor football. Their passionate fan base and professional organization represent the key elements the IFL strives for in its members. We are very proud to welcome the Shock and the Spokane community into the IFL family."
The Shock will join the IFL in 2016 after spending the past six seasons as a member of the Arena Football League (2010-2015). During team's inaugural season in the AFL in 2010, Spokane took the league by storm on their way to an ArenaBowl XXIII victory. Over the course of their AFL tenure, the Shock achieved playoff berths in five-of-six seasons and averaged an attendance of over 9,000 fans per game at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.
The Spokane Shock franchise began in 2006 as members of the former af2 where they played four seasons (2006-2009). Over the course of those four years the Shock won division titles each season and were crowned ArenaCup champions in 2006 and 2009.
From 2007-2009 the Shock were led by Head Coach Adam Shackleford who compiled a 50-7 record in Spokane, the best in af2 history (87 percent). Shackleford helped the Shock to three division titles, two conference championships, and two ArenaCup appearances before securing an ArenaCup championship win in 2009.
"It feels good to be home," said Head Coach Adam Shackleford. "I had great memories as a member of the Shock during our years in the af2. After spending the past six seasons in Tri-Cities, I'm looking forward to bringing that knowledge and experience back to Spokane and continuing the winning ways that our fans and community deserve."
During Shackleford's time with the Fever, he led Tri-Cities to playoff berths in four-of-six seasons which included two United Bowl appearances (2011, 2010).
Spokane will join the IFL with regional opponents right at their doorstep in the Tri-Cities Fever and the Billings Wolves. The Shock and Fever met a total of eight times in the af2 from 2007-2009 as Spokane got the best of Tri-Cities in seven of those match-ups. The Billings Wolves joined the IFL for their inaugural season in 2015. The Iowa Barnstormers also played in the IFL in 2015 for their first season after departing from the AFL after 2014.
"We are looking forward to continuing the tradition of Shock football in Spokane and providing our fans with the exciting entertainment experience they have helped us create over the years," said Director of Operations Ryan Eucker. "The IFL offers style of football with strong ties to the traditional outdoor game that we believe the 9th Man will embrace and continue to enjoy."
The Shock's move to the IFL comes at the heels of a 2015 AFL season that ended with uncertainty in member franchise's outlooks for 2016 as New Orleans and Las Vegas were taken under league control prior to the end of regular season play.
"Our move to the IFL is based on our ownership group's commitment that we made when we purchased the team in 2014 to ensure that Shock football stays in Spokane," said managing owner of IFL Partners LLC Nader Naini. "We can assure you that our commitment to our loyal fans is paramount. This is the right move for the team, the community, and the fans. We could not be more excited about the opportunity to be a part of the IFL next season."
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Indoor Football League Stories from September 1, 2015
- Fever Tab Ryan Lingenfelder as Head Coach - Tri-Cities Fever
- Shock Announce Move to the Indoor Football League - Spokane Shock
- Spokane Shock Join IFL - IFL
- Nighthawks Part Ways With Head Coach - Wichita Falls Nighthawks
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