ShoWare Center Announces IFL's Kent Predators
Published on December 7, 2009 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Seattle Timberwolves News Release
Professional football is coming to the Pacific Northwest. The Kent Predators, an expansion professional football franchise, will begin play in the Indoor Football League (IFL) beginning in March of 2010. The team is excited to be working with SMG in securing ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington as its home facility.
The Predators will hold a news conference today Monday, December 7th at 3:30 pm at the ShoWare Center to introduce the franchise and members of the ownership group.
"We are extremely excited. This area eats and breathes football and the ShoWare Center is a first class facility," said Chris Kokalis, Predators President and co owner. "The important thing for us to do is get involved in the community. Being active and involved in the community is equally as important as wins and losses for our organization."
The Predators have entered into good faith negotiations with SMG in coordination with the City of Kent for the purpose of securing a lease agreement.
The Indoor Football League (www.goifl.com) is a 26-team league based out of Richmond, Virginia with franchises in 13 states. Kent becomes the second Washington franchise for the IFL joining the Tri-Cities Fever. The league holds a 14-game regular season schedule that runs March through June. The IFL's playoffs culminate in August with the IFL United Bowl. The Predators will host a seven game home schedule. Games will be played on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The IFL schedule is expected to be released within the next week.
The Predators are co-owned by Chris Kokalis & Ken Moninski. Moninski is the Owner/President of Seattle based company Global Aircraft Services, an aviation services company providing flight crews and logistics for the managed movement of commercial aircraft around the world. Global was named an Inc. 5,000 company in 2009, recognizing its growth in supporting the world's leading aircraft leasing companies and fastest growing airlines. He has gained experience in a variety of business functions during his over 20 years working in the airline industry. Serving in senior management positions at Evergreen International Aviation and Virgin Atlantic Airways, he led several airport infrastructure projects and joint-venture initiatives in North America, China and Spain. In the 1990s he was also a founder and board member of a new entrant regional airline in Colorado. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and is a volunteer with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters mentoring program. Kokalis has a lengthy resume within professional sports. He has held a variety of administrative, marketing and sales positions with teams such as the Minnesota Thunder, Milwaukee Rampage, Milwaukee Bonecrushers and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Kokalis and Moninski are also co owners of the La Crosse Spartans an IFL franchise in La Crosse, WI along with Wisconsin businessman Bob Sullivan.
"I know that ShoWare Center is the perfect venue for professional indoor football. I am grateful for the support of SMG and the city of Kent and look forward to an exciting inaugural season at the ShoWare Center" said Moninski.
Football fans will have the opportunity to learn more about the Predators - and reserve season tickets - with the launch of the team's website, www.kentpredators.com, on Monday.
Indoor Football League Stories from December 7, 2009
- Professional Football Coming To Kent - Seattle Timberwolves
- ShoWare Center Announces IFL's Kent Predators - Seattle Timberwolves
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
