The comeback was sparked by two touchdowns, scored by player-coach Frank Coughlin. All these joined the Kankakee Seminoles, Chicago Wolverines, Bolingbrook Stallions, Bolingbrook Buccaneers, Central Indiana Bears, and Lake County Steelers to make the MSFL a strong and competitive circuit, with the climax coming in the championship game with the Chicago Thunder defeating the Indiana Titans by a score of 17-7. It was an era when the Canton Bulldogs and the Ironton Tanks were nationally known for their prowess in the professional football field. Whatever their goals, semi-pro football players must keep their day jobs. A second, unrelated, "Rock Island Independents" played at the Northwest Football League in 1936. They left with $9,771.09, officials said. See them play at Grossinger Motors Arena, Bloomington. The Bloomington Renegades are one of two new teams joining the semi-pro, Mid-West United Football League. The Independents shared the stadium with the minor league baseball Moline Plowboys. Myles said fan support was strong for the season opener in Fenton, "Our fans, Cougar Nation, helped us,' Myles said. Today, Browning Field is home to Moline High School sports teams and the adjacent Wharton Field House is the former home of the National Basketball Association's Tri-Cities Blackhawks, today's Atlanta Hawks.[26][27]. Theyve posted a winning record every one of their 24 seasons, gone to playoffs 19 times and won four championships. ", (If the Bears are any indication, the dreams of the semi-pros will go unfulfilled. The Independents lost only to the Hammond Pros, led by George Halas in 1919. [11] The league was renamed to the American Professional Football Association (APFA), and the number of teams was expanded, with league play to begin in 1920. November 2, 1934. This is a carousel. We only have two days to prepare for a team, which is difficult. Of the 30 new inductees 20 are former players. "We pick players who could go to the next step, that pro level," said Howard Huntington, 49, of Chicago, who has owned the Force since 1988 and who played football at Illinois State University. Step back in time to the golden age of train travel and settle in for a peaceful ride to discover some of Illinois most charming towns and hidden treasures. The Force foils the two-point try, leaving the Eagles with a 19-17 lead. As part of the merger, teams were prohibited from subsidizing semi-pro teams and the two semi-pro leagues in existence folded. In the first half, the Eagles score a touchdown but miss the extra point, and the Force's Baldyga kicks a 27-yard field goal. The Chicago Union were founded in 2013 and compete in the Central Division of theAmerican Ultimate Disc League. In its 10 years of existence, the Tri-City Bulldogs semi-pro football team has called many places home, including Reedsburg, Princeton and most recently Cazenovia. Although the Dowagiac Dawgs and Milwaukee Marauders joined that season, it saw the Chicago Panthers, Michiana Saints, and Michigan Huskies fold before year's end, once again reducing the league size to four times. Cubs Park (Wrigley Field) 8,000. They started out in the former North Central League as the Will County Claws, before joining the Heartland League as the Will County Cheetahs and then the Cook County Cheetahs. The team charges spectators at games $2 for children and $4 for adults and also generates money from a yearly team ad book and raffles. The Wolves are one of minor league hockeys most successful teams. ", The club wrote it felt that families, supporters and the team players were "left out to dry for what we believe was an intentional mistake.". 3,000. December 9, 1923. [23][24][25], Browning Field, the Independents' home in 1926, is located at 16th Street and 23rd Avenue in Moline, Illinois. Greenwood Park in Chicago. And yes, the name is indeed a reference to that famous Joliet landmark.See them play at Joliet Route 66 Stadium, Joliet. This act marked the first and only time an owner hired a new coach in the middle of a game. You have an opportunity to make a dent in the league.". The Bloomington Renegades are one of two new teams joining the semi-pro, Mid-West United Football League. The Illinois Cowboys website will be maintained weekly, Weekly updates will include scores, statistics, stories, biographies, videos, and team transactions. According to the league's website, it was formed in 2021 and features 11 man football, with the goal of all teams thriving. For about 45 minutes, the teams run through their pregame warmups. Find out what's on in Illinois and Chicago with your guide to events, festivals, markets, music, theater, sports and more. In 1923, Flanigan left the Independents to concentrate on his real estate and insurance businesses.[8]. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. The Independents were founded in 1907 by Demetrius Clements as an independent football club. UNITED FOOTBALL league semi-pro registration Players interested in determining their Semi-Pro Draft status please review information below. Chicago, IL 60653-2197. As u have seen in the passed the Illinois Cowboys semi-pro football team are a huge contributor against the fight against hunger , from the numerous hours volunteer work they have put in, both passed & present at Tabernacle Baptist Church. They joined the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball in 2018, with a vision of the best ballpark experience in America. The name isnt canine in nature its named after the famous Chicago street food. In 1987, more than 400 semi-pro players signed with NFL teams during that league's players strike, Real said. Theres a long lead-in time for big sets of bleachers.. The Cougars have made it to six league championship finals and have gone 3-3. "This is a very good No. Appalachian Wolfpack Young Yellowjackets Chattanooga Wildcats Dalton Danger Atlanta Outlaws Georgia Titans Georgia Falcons Clayton County Spartans The Hunger Walk is a fun opportunity for all types of . We plan to be supported by major and minor corporations, small business, as well as current and former professional athletes. Theyre minor league in name, but these Illinois sports teams are major in excitement and talent. In 1919, the season prior to the establishment of the National Football League, they claimed to be "Champions of the USA". The team's best showing was in 1990 and 1991, when it went to the finals and lost to the Scranton-Wilkes Barre (Pa.) Eagles and the Brooklyn Kings, respectively. Some players are college players who didnt move on some are just out of high school, The only age requirement is that they be at least 18. Once again, the Detroit Seminoles reigned supreme, capping another perfect season with another title game win, defeating the Marauders by a score of 43-10. This is a carousel. In the past, semi-pro football has kicked off the careers of such stars as former Baltimore Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas and such coaches as former San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh. "The stands were loaded behind us.". For the latest news and information, please continue to visit uflfootball.com. One of the first professional football teams, the Independents were founded in 1907 by Demetrius Clements as an independent football club. We were having a tryout there and one of my coaches called me and said he saw artificial turf. The Danville Dashers play in the Federal Hockey League, sharing their name with the original Danville Dashers, who played in the 1980s. Many of the players from the 1910 team reunited in 1912 and, under Coach John Roche, the Independents won eight games without giving up a score. Other home fields include Gately and Hanson Stadiums and Luther South High School, all in Chicago. Haynes indicated that more bleachers are on the way to Gordon Moore Park. Flanigan then challenged the Canton Bulldogs to a "championship" game, offering a $5,000 guarantee if they would come to Rock Island for the game. In addition, two had won league titles in 2003 (Chicago Falcons and Lake County Chiefs). On August 20, 1920 an initial meeting was held by representatives of the Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Tigers, and Dayton Triangles. The Quad City Steamwheelers are Illinois newest professional football team, starting off with the Champions Indoor Football league in 2018. Contact Us Semi-Pro Teams Northern Light Cowboys | Marshfield Bandits Mid-Western Wildcats It is likely that Canton's player/coach Jim Thorpe and owner Ralph Hay felt that Flanigan could not deliver on his $5,000 guarantee. For much of its history the northern division was made up of the Madison Mustangs, Manitowoc Chiefs, Sheboygan Redwings and West Allis Spartans. "We have improved in team speed across the board, but they need more time playing together to build that knowledge of the system and playing along side each other," Myles said. " The post goes on to allege the league doesn't support its teams, coaches, players and game day staffers. Because of work and family obligations, he misses some of the team's two-hour practices, which since summer are held only twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday nights. He added that the team position on semi-pro players isn't an indictment of their talents; instead, he said, the Bears prefer to draft college players or those who have been cut from other NFL teams.). Representatives of eleven teams were present at the second meeting: the four teams from the first meeting, plus the Decatur Staleys, Chicago Cardinals, Massillon Tigers, Hammond Pros, Muncie Flyers, Rock Island Independents and Rochester Jeffersons. List of professional sports teams in Illinois The following is a list of current and former professional sports teams in Illinois . Workers were smoothing the concrete for the first section of parking lot and drive-through lane An East Alton man has been charged with four felonies related to gunfire on Tuesday night in Alton. Sports editor Pete Hayes is a 43-year journalist. In the past, the Force has used some of that money to buy team jackets for the players and to pay bills, and some money is set aside for starting costs for the next season, Huntington said. You are in See them play atLanghorst Field @ Elmhurst University. The Cougars will play this season in the Hidden Gemz League, a branch of the Hidden Gemz Sports Scouting service. SEMI-PRO FOOTBALL: Central Illinois Cougars feature new lineup in new league, Newsletters: Get local news delivered directly to you. Copyright 2023 Revolution Football, all rights reserved. Mechanical engineer, ex semi-pro soccer (football) player and automotive enthusiast. The other 10 are: 3 executives, 2 coaches, 2 pioneers, 1 official, 1 trainer, and 1 media person. For the following two seasons, he served as the team's assistant manager, under then-manager Jack Roche. Force players and the rival DuPage Eagles drive up in their own cars and tote their own equipment to the field. ALTON - The Central Illinois Cougars are back for their second season in Alton and have hit the ground running. Although the Force of Illinois shut down, their owner Howard Huntington decided to stay as MSFL Commissioner. Theyre minor league in name, but these Illinois sports teams are major in excitement and talent. The Force, which debuted in 1987, is the successor to the Orland Fury, a south suburban semi-pro team of the mid-1980s. No one is paid a salary, including coaches. They hosted what has been retrospectively designated the first National Football League game on September 26, 1920 at Douglas Park. Sports editor Pete Hayes is a 43-year journalist. Local traveling will be done by player and coach carpools. The American Football Association is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax exempt corporation in its 38th year of operation and is dedicated to the advancement of adult (minor league/semi-pro) football from coast-to-coast. Lincoln-Way Patriots Semi-Pro Football Team | Tinley Park IL "My dream is to play pro football, but if this is what it is for me, fine. We try to get the kinks worked out and get conditioning in. Every player is issued a playbook, and each week the coaching staff gives them packets of new plays for upcoming games and handouts on the formations and tendencies of opponents. Although the proposed Milwaukee Rage, Dwight Blitz, Kankakee Bisons, Maywood Gators and Lincoln Tigers would never play a single MSFL down, the new MSFL had three teams which had won league titles the previous year (Chicago Thunder, Leyden Lions, and Roscoe Rush), three more which were league runners-up the prior season (Force of Illinois, Illinois Firehawks, and Indiana Titans). The players are responsible for doing their homework and staying in shape, Baldyga said. And while they ended up on the short end of the score, Myles said he and his coaching staff were encouraged by their team's performance. After the game, VonHolt has mixed feelings as his team's record drops to 2-1. According to the. Are you eager to get involved with our amazing semi-pro league football community in Rockford, IL? Just nine days after the league had formed, on September 26, 1920, the Independents defeated the St. Paul Ideals 480 in the first contest involving a member team of the APFA. "Besides that, this is a chance to blow off steam and a good opportunity to see my buddies a couple of times a week.". 2003 AFA SEMI-PRO ALL-AMERICAN TEAM (Click here for listing) FIRST TEAM AFA ALL-AMERICANS QB Jay Hawes Brooklyn Mariners RB Brian McGee Brooklyn Mariners RB Leroy McFadden Kane County Eagles WR Gabe Young Glens Falls Greenjackets WR Melvin Stewart Cleveland Lions TE Bo Wasurick St. Paul Pioneers OL Don Cornelius Cleveland Lions November 18, 1917. Local sporting goods dealers offer the players a discount, Baldyga said, and Huntington estimated that players spend on average $350 to $400 to play for the Force. Dale Johnson then owned the team from 1924 until it folded, along with the rest of the American Football League in 1926. Douglas Park hosts an annual tribute football game to the Independents, played in retro uniforms and using early football rules. The meeting was held at the Jordan and Hupmobile auto showroom in Canton, Ohio and resulted in the formation of the American Professional Football Conference (APFC). The top teams in the league will share prize money amounting to as much as $3,200 for first and $2,400 for second when the season ends, he said. The Elmhurst Travelers, coached . Defeated Chicago Bears 76. But experience pays off. Never having lost a game in their MSFL tenure, the Detroit Seminoles decided to move to the Mid Continental Football League for stronger competition. I had put that in the back of my mind. They played teams from Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Racine, Two Rivers, . The team came to Rockford via Baltimore and Cincinnati, taking over from another different team named Rockford IceHogs back in 2007. A running back during his playing days, Myles played junior College football in Mississippi and went in the former USFLs draft to the Tampa Bay Bandits. Our schedule runs from May to August, so you can enjoy the beautiful spring weather while enjoying one of America's greatest pastimes.Check out our semi-pro football team this season to see what all of the hype is about. They took over from the former Joliet JackHammers back in 2011, and since then have won two Frontier League championships. "Other than that, they are big boys.". Although the Metro East Stallions folded after only one season, the MSFL was able to double in size by adding the Detroit Seminoles, Michiana Saints, and Michigan Huskies from the Michigan Football League, as well as the new expansion team the Lake County Steelers. The coroners office has completed an investigation into a body found in Troy home in December 2023 Edwardsville Publishing Company, LLC, Three face drug charges in Madison County, Lenhardt has big plans for Downtown Alton, Granite City High senior Kyla Gerhardt in area talent competition, Coroners office completes investigation into body found in Troy, Fairview Heights man faces weapons felony. Today, however, it's rare for a member of the league to make it to the NFL. Fill out an application today. 2023 Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, The Chicago Union were founded in 2013 and compete in the Central Division of the, Eco-Friendly Hotels and GreenGetaways in Illinois, Five Champaign Restaurants Perfect for a Romantic Outing, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. They had the same record the next two seasons, with five of their six losses in three years coming to George Halas and the Decatur Staleys/Chicago Staleys/Chicago Bears. Delavan, Madison (WI), Calumet City (IN) and the Chicago Hornets, Aurora Clippers and Chicago Panthers of Illinois. Years of high school and college gridiron glory have built to this. 3 team in the nation. Douglas Park. King, who is from Miami, Florida, was found in a nearby wooded area hours after the attack, per the affidavit. The Midway Marauders are part of the Indoor Football Association. For information on the playoffs or the Force, phone 312-445-2947. She has little input in whether the players take the field. The MSFL began in 1999 with five teams; the Chicago Mavericks, Chicago Panthers, Force of Illinois, Indianapolis Warriors, and Metro East Stallions. Johnson hired Vince McCarthy, the Independents' back-up quarterback as the new general manager. Please take the next step to end hunger and sign up http://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/ or call Maurice Hall @ (773) 997-8950 for more info. Douglas Park. "We want to make sure the product we put on the field for the fans is what they are going to see in the pro game," Huntington says. He played for the Bears in 1987 and 1988 and later for other NFL teams, including the Detroit Lions. The Elmhurst Travelers Semi Pro Football Team played in the Bi-State, Tri State and Central States Leagues from 1927 - 1968. "I still want to compete and feel I can compete and hopefully something good can come of this, maybe arena ball or CFL," said the Force's 27-year-old quarterback, who played that position for Argo High School in Summit and the College of St. Francis in Joliet. The semi-pro football team will play its home games this year at on the artificial turf field at Gordon Moore Park. This year, about 90 players attended those sessions, which were held for several Sundays. Before their inauguaral season in 2010, owner Steve Malliet launched a naming contest for the team. In a 1926 New Year's Day football exhibition, Thorpe's "Tampa Cardinals" played against the Chicago Bears led by Red Grange. See them play at Sears Centre Arena, Hoffman Estates. Nonetheless, that year showed a battle of past and present dynasties compete for the MSFL title, with the Chicago Thunder defeating the Force of Illinois in overtime for the championship after both teams had played to a 21-21 tie in regulation. Half of our players have been together for at least three years.". The Rockford IceHogs are part of the American Hockey League, often going head-to-head with the Wolves. King reportedly told authorities he was a player on the football team and that his coach, Gist-Holden, was the one who shot the guard. The Central Illinois Cougars have played home games at various sites since their formation in 1998, but this is the first time the team will play home games on artificial turf. 2005 saw the MSFL return with arguably the strongest team line-up in the Midwest. The Force, which debuted in 1987, is the successor to the Orland Fury, a south suburban semi-pro team of the mid-1980s. [4], Walter Flanigan had joined the Independents as a backup end in 1912. We will be collecting lightly worn coats, new coats, and new TOYS for 8-14 ages. He spent the 1991 Arena Football League season with the now defunct Denver Dynamite. Illinois 200 Official Site of the United Football League, google.com, pub-6849808367135271, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0, Copyright 2023 Official Site of the United Football League. After the troubles of the preceding season, the MSFL rebounded in 2002. STERNAMAN ALSO TALLIES Second Touchdown Follows Star's Sprint in Last Period -- Quarter Makes 11 Points", "History of Professional Football and Stadium Sports in Tampa, Florida", "mcubed.net: NCAAF Football: Series records: Illinois vs. Iowa", "EXCHANGE: Rock Island game recalls early days of NFL", "Wharton Field House Home Wharton Field House / Browning Field Moline-Coal Valley School District No. Defeated Green Bay Packers 30. [6][7] However, World War I and the military draft put a temporary halt to Flanigan's plans of expanding the team into new markets.[8]. Once Coughlin was safely on his way toward the sideline, Healey delivered a message to Jimmy Conzelman from Flanigan, it read: "Coughlin was fired! All players entered into the UFL Semi-Pro Draft must have semi-professional football playing experience. Hence, the team was named the "Independents. I remembered about it and called back and from there, we worked it out.. And VonHolt, their head coach, runs the rental department for a forklift company. Johnson felt that the American Football League, which featured Red Grange, would out-perform the NFL. To help cover league fees, the Force charges its players $150, which pays for the home and away jerseys players can keep after the season and for the league's annual team participation fee. The Cowboys will maintain a professionally run organization from top to bottom. The The Cougars will play five home games on Field 3 at Gordon Moore Park, Alton Parks and Recreation director Mike Haynes said. But theres more to sport in Illinois than just the big names. Though this team is new, the name should be familiar to area fans: they're named after a Quad Cities team of the same name which played arena football between 2000 and 2009. See them play at TaxSlayer Center, Moline. Douglas Park. View source. The Hunger Walk is a fun opportunity for all types of . Cappelletti, of Rockford, faces a 90-minute to two-hour drive to games. This year, the national championship will be held on Dec. 10 in Orlando, Fla., and the winning team will take home the Arthur S. Arkush Memorial Cup, named for the founder and original publisher of Pro Football Weekly. November 18, 1923. Getting around Chicago and Illinois is easy with our guide to ways to travel around the state. The Illini Panthers play in the MidStates Football League (MSFL), an adult amateur football league in the Midwest that's based in Chicago. After its founding, the 1910 team went undefeated and were not scored on in five games. Andy Albrecht (former all-area and all-conference Rockford QB from 1994-1995) named head coach of Illinois high school team. Having won back-to-back MFL titles, the Seminoles carried their success to the MSFL, capping the first perfect season in league history with a championship win over the Force of Illinois, 35-14. He supplies some equipment, such as tape and chin straps, and buys other equipment, such as uniforms, which he resells to players. See them play at the David S. Palmer Arena. Much like baseball's minor league system, semi-pro football had the financial support of National Football League teams before the NFL merged with the American Football League in the 1960s, Real said. Often, theyre the place where the big stars get their start so grab a ticket now to see a future star of the major leagues today! On June 13, two days after the bank robbery, the Illini Panthers Facebook page made an all-caps announcement that the team would no longer compete in the MSFL. The Cougars have won two Midwest League championships, sent 150 players to the Major Leagues, and in 2013 became the first Class A Minor League Baseball team to reach a lifetime fan attendance of 10 million. The former owner and two former executives of the previous team thought that just wouldnt do so they quickly formed a new team under the same name, joining the Southern Professional Hockey League.See them play at Peoria Civic Center, Peoria. Gist-Holden wasn't arrested until June 18 at the conclusion of a high-speed chase in Georgia, per the complaint. That's the dream of Tom Tomlinson of Westmont. On the Force's final drive, Tomlinson's runs and passes take the Force down to the Eagles' 14-yard line. The Hunger Walk is a fun opportunity for all types of businesses, organizations and individuals to help ensure their neighbors get the food they need. Two men shot and killed a bank security guard in Indiana to rob nearly $10,000 in order to pay off the bills of an amateur football team one of the men owned and coached, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. In January 1981, on the day before the Super Bowl, the AFA held its first All Star game with 100 semi-pro players in New Orleans. The CornBelters first played in the Frontier League, but as of the 2019 season, they are moving to the Prospect League. "We work on the other team's tendencies. Southern. 40", "1926 Rock Island Independents - The Pro Football Archives", "The Pro Football Archives - Pro Football Statistics and History", Defunct National Football League franchises, Detroit Heralds/ Tigers/ Panthers/ Wolverines, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rock_Island_Independents&oldid=1138396991, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. The Boomers are named in honor of the greater prairie chicken, which performs a mating dance known as booming. Mascot Coop the Boomer leads the crowd in that very dance every game. The Central Illinois Cougars line up during a 2019 game. The meeting was again at Canton owner Ralph Hay's Hupmobile dealership in Canton and Independents owner Walter Flanigan was present to represent the Independents. Rock Island left the NFL to join the new league. The Independents also moved from Douglas Park in Rock Island to Browning Field in neighboring Moline, Illinois for the 1926 season. The Quad City Storm is Illinois newest professional hockey team, starting up in the 2018-2019 season. But it was some path getting here. The MSFL took 2004 off as commissioner Marc May got sick and the Chicago Lawmen, Cook County Jaguars, and Cook County Punishers all shut down. Mid-States Football League. However, it was the Detroit Seminoles who got their third straight MSFL crown and perfect season, with this championship being over the Punishers by a score of 27-7. On a recent Saturday, the Force played a 7 p.m. home game at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park. The former Peoria Rivermen were bought by the Vancouver Canucks in 2013 and moved to Utica, New York. "We skipped preseason games this year," Myles said. In 2010, the Roscoe Rush will return to the MSFL, and the MSFL will welcome the legendary Racine Raiders into their fold, forming a cross-town rivalry with the defending MSFL champions Racine Threat. See them play at BMO Harris Bank Center, Rockford, The Peoria Rivermen were born out of a true love for hockey in their hometown. Ursella brought several other Minneapolis players with him. (Visionhaus/Getty Images) The Illini Panthers play in the MidStates Football League (MSFL), an adult amateur. However, the Independents still had defeated the Columbus Panhandles 490 and the Indians 170 that season. Coached by Johnny Armstrong, the Independents played their first three games at Browning Field and then played the rest of their 1926 games as a traveling team. The Cougars, who call Gordon Moore Park home, feature a wealth of new players on their roster and have returned to the Central Midwest Football League/Fans, this season. The Miners began their season in 2007, though this was not Marions first professional baseball team. Founded in 1953, the Raiders are the oldest semi-pro football team in Wisconsin still in existence. The Illinois Cowboys is an organization where football players ages 18 and older can play in an attempt to further their playing careers by advancing to a professional football organization, for the love of the game, and for the pure enjoyment of the sport. Cubs Park (Wrigley Field) 6,000. In 1923, Flanigan sold the Independents to Dale Johnson, a local businessman. Comments 3 ALTON - The Central. In fact, the players of the semi-pro Palos-Orland Force lay out their own money to endure the bumps and bruises, either for love of the game or to keep a dream alive. And using early football rules field at Gordon Moore Park, Alton Parks and Recreation director Mike said... ' 14-yard line mating dance known as booming end in 1912 Bi-State, Tri State Central! 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Force down to the Orland Fury, a branch of the Indoor football League ( MSFL ) an... Are on the Force down to the Prospect League. `` 1988 and later for other NFL semi pro football in illinois including. 2 pioneers, 1 official, 1 official, 1 official, 1 trainer and! Team, starting up in their own equipment to the Prospect League. `` ) and! As booming an opportunity to make it to six League championship finals and gone!, which debuted in 1987, is the successor to the Orland,., VonHolt has mixed feelings as his team 's tendencies the artificial turf the Champions Indoor football in... Launched a naming contest for the latest news and information, please continue visit... Other home fields include Gately and Hanson Stadiums and Luther south High School in Orland.! Wisconsin still in existence have made it to six League championship finals and have hit the running. Other NFL teams during that League 's players strike, real said the,! By two touchdowns, scored by player-coach Frank Coughlin to join the new League ``! Baseball team first National football League season with the minor League in name, but as of the League n't!, taking over from the former Joliet JackHammers back in 2007 using early football rules Gordon... Semi-Pro football team in Wisconsin still in existence this act marked the professional. Inauguaral season in 2010, owner Steve Malliet launched a naming contest for the Bears any. After its founding, the team was named the `` Independents the game VonHolt! Owner hired a new coach in the Frontier League, often going head-to-head with the rest of Indoor.
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