UIF/IFL Championship Game Start of Something Big
February 1, 2008 - Intense Football League (Intense)
Frisco Thunder News Release
FRISCO, Tex. - Reaction to the news of the United Indoor Football League and Intense Football League coming together to stage a championship game Friday was an immediate celebration among the ownership, staff and coaches of the Frisco Thunder Friday and invoked some perspective to the long-term implications of the day's announcement.
The Thunder is one of nine IFL teams who will now compete for the right to face the eight-team UIF's champion later this year. The UIF champ will host in 2008, the IFL winner the following year.
Could the announcement be indoor football's version of the 1966 meeting between the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs? Possibly.
"It's definitely the beginning of something big,'' said Thunder owner Jake Reed. "It's historic and it's going to help both our leagues. If we're going to survive, we have to come together.
"From a football perspective, you can't ask for anything more," Reed added. "The coaches and owners have something bigger to work for now, the chance to be the best of two leagues. A lot of bragging rights come with that. I'm excited." General Manager Dan Ryan, who has served as communications director for two leagues and has been involved in three leagues, shared Reed's perspective.
"The sport of indoor football took a giant step forward today,'' Ryan said. "Hopefully, the days of off-season drama are starting to subside. If any league or leagues continue to try to land-grab or poach teams from other leagues after this, it just shows they're only out for themselves and not the sport."
Head Coach Troy Esprit simply called the game "a great idea."
"I'm looking forward to seeing players from areas we normally don't get a chance to see, and I'm sure the UIF coaches feel the same away," Esprit said. "This level of football is all about the opportunity, and now we have another opportunity to play another game at a high level.
The Thunder is preparing for its second season in Frisco just down the road from Major League Soccer's FC Dallas, owned by the family of Lamar Hunt, the creator of the Super Bowl. Thunder ownership and staff recently attended a Frisco Chamber of Commerce awards dinner where the late Mr. Hunt was honored and the soccer team was named the city's business of the year.
"We share a city with a family whose contribution to football is among the most influential of all time," Reed said. "If the Thunder hosts this game in 2009 , it would be an additional honor."
For more information about the UIF/IFL championship game, visit the IFL web site at www.intensefootballleague.net.
A playoff team its expansion season, the Thunder hosts the opening game of the 2008 Intense Football League season on Saturday, March 1st at 6 p.m. against the San Angelo Stampede Express. All home games will be played in the Deja Blue Arena, located in the Frisco Dr Pepper StarCenter. Season and individual tickets are available now at 972-731-6968. Visit the team's official web site at friscothunderifl.com for more information.
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