Thunder set to reign over Atlantic Indoor Football League
July 22, 2005 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Daytona Beach Thunder News Release
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Racers thundering down the beach and around the speedway. Bikers thundering down Main Street during Bike Week and Biketoberfest. Even those annoying thunderstorms that seem to occur daily during the summer.
What more appropriate name for a Daytona Beach sports team than Thunder?
That's exactly what owners Zack McDonald, Kevin McDonald and Jay Burton thought as they pored over the list of prospective nicknames for the new Daytona Beach Atlantic Indoor Football League franchise.
"Thunder" beat out other entries on the AIFL's Web site. Three people, Chris Breslin, Monica MacIntyre and Rob Helmick, submitted the winning name. Each will be awarded season tickets for the Thunder's inaugural 2006 season.
"We weren't struck by lightning, but we were struck by âThunder,' Zack McDonald said. "It is a name that invokes power and speed, which is exactly what our football team will do when it takes to the field."
Team colors will be black and gold - once again a fitting combination for the Daytona Beach area. The name also pays tribute to the Daytona Beach Thunderbirds, a former team that played in the area many years ago.
"Our logos, our uniforms, everything is going to look sharp,'' said Zack McDonald. "We are going to set the standard on how an indoor football team looks and operates. All eyes will be looking to Daytona Beach."
The Thunder will be coached by Ervin Bryson, who guided the National Indoor Football League's Daytona Beach Hawgs to a 7-3 record in 2005. As general manager, Bryson oversaw one of the NIFL's best game day operations.
"It's simply exciting to be a part of this,'' said Bryson.
"Zack, Kevin and Jay are committed to running a first-class operation and as a coach, you can't ask for anything more. There's no doubt that we can bring a championship to Daytona Beach."
The Thunder will play their home games at the Ocean Center, which has offered an exclusive use contract for the 2006 season.
"Working with the Thunder has been a pleasure,'' said Ocean Center Assistant Director Chad Smith. "I'm confident of a long and prosperous relationship between us."
• Discuss this story on the American Indoor Football Association message board...
American Indoor Football Association Stories from July 22, 2005
- Thunder set to reign over Atlantic Indoor Football League - Daytona Beach Thunder
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.
