UIF and Danny DeGrande announce formation of Colorado Ice
July 19, 2006 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Colorado Crush News Release
Loveland, CO-United Indoor Football and Colorado real estate executive Danny DeGrande announce the formation of the Colorado Ice and the inclusion of the Ice in the UIF. The Colorado Ice will play their home games at the Budweiser Events Center at the Ranch in Loveland, Colorado beginning the 2007 UIF season. The Ice will host 1 pre-season game and 8 regular season home games beginning March, 2007.
The UIF, based in Omaha, NE was formed in 2005. The UIF currently has 10 teams and the Colorado Ice will be the eleventh team in 2007. There may be additional new franchises awarded by the League at a later date this year. The Ice will play in the UIF Western Division that is currently comprised of the Sioux Falls Storm, Sioux City Bandits, and Omaha Beef.
"I am very excited to be a part of the UIF for the 2007 season and look forward to fielding a competitive team beginning in our first year. I also pledge to football fans who are interested in the Ice that we will provide great, value priced family entertainment for you to enjoy. The Budweiser Events Center is a beautiful venue and the Ice adds another entertainment option for people living in Northern Colorado without traveling to Denver," said DeGrande.
DeGrande continued, "I realize that fans in this area got their hopes up a few years back when another indoor team tried unsuccessfully to launch at the Budweiser Events Center. We have already made strides toward being ready to play. We have already purchased turf and it is at the arena now. We also have made several key hires. We will be ready to play in the UIF 2007 season and look forward to earning the fans support."
The Ice ownership and management have committed themselves to the Northern Colorado communities. The team has purchased turf which is ready for installation at the Budweiser Events Center. The Ice has a Fort Collins office in Old Town Square where patrons may buy tickets and soon merchandise. The front office staff is extremely dedicated. They have put in numerous hours to prepare for the launch of the franchise and the start of the UIF season. The organization wishes to pass on their motto to Northern Colorado, "We're here to stay, play, and win!"
The front office is headed by John Cribari as the team's General Manager, Anthony "Trace" Webster as Marketing Director, Chris Sullivan as Ticket Coordinator, and Alicia Ware as Office Manager. The Director of Football Operations and Head Coach will be Collins Sanders. Sanders is experienced in professional indoor football as both an administrator and head coach. We have also named Eric Rice Defensive Coordinator. The announcement of other assistant coaches will be made at a later date.
"The UIF is very excited to announce the Ice as our first expansion team in 2007. Danny and his group have worked tirelessly to bring a team to the Northern Colorado region and we have been very impressed with their energy and professionalism over the last several months. It is clear they are here to provide great entertainment to the area and run a first-class sports business at the same time. This is a great opportunity for the UIF to expand to one of the most progressive and exciting areas of the country. The Budweiser Events Center is an outstanding facility and is set up perfectly for our brand of professional indoor football. We look forward to kicking off next March to a full house of Colorado Ice fans from around the region, "stated Dakota Crow, Executive Director of the UIF.
"Danny and I have spoken many times over the last few months as he submitted his application for a franchise to the UIF. I am happy to see that he was awarded the franchise and I look forward to working with John and Danny to field a team that will not be looked at as an expansion team, but as a playoff team," said Sanders.
DeGrande stated, "We have our web site operational, although we will continue to add content as we get a little further down the road. We also have a ticket office that can accept fan orders today for season tickets. That number is 970/474-0128. Fans may also log on to www.thecoloradoice.com to view a seating diagram while calling in their season ticket order. "
"We have promised the UIF we would sell a minimum of 2,500 season tickets to secure the team, so we need the fans that are looking for great entertainment at the Budweiser Events Center to call now to purchase their tickets. In addition, we are pleased to announce a major sponsor partnership with Budweiser, making Budweiser "The Official Beer of the Ice". Also, we have selected The Edge Sports Center as the official practice facility for the Ice. I want to thank Budweiser and The Edge Sports Center for supporting our team and we are looking forward to a mutually beneficial relationship," concluded DeGrande.
"We have been impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment to success that Mr. DeGrande and his group have demonstrated," said Global Spectrum's Rick Hontz, General Manager of the Budweiser Events Center. "Indoor football is finally coming to Northern Colorado and I know that our fans will embrace our new tenant with the same spirit they have shown our other teams," Hontz said.
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