Southern Indoor Football League
Encyclopedia
The Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) was an indoor football
league based in the Southern and Eastern United States. The most recent incarnation of the league was a consolidation of an earlier league of the same name that was formed by Thom Hager along with Dan Blum, Robert Winfrey and Dan Ryan in 2009 and the American Indoor Football Association, which traces its roots to the founding of the Atlantic Indoor Football League in 2005. The SIFL broke up into three regional leagues after the 2011 season.
Gary Tufford took over the reigns of the league as Commissioner and built the SIFL into the 16 team league that would compete in the 2011 season.
On November 9, 2010, the SIFL announced its merger with the East Division of the American Indoor Football Association, adding the Carolina Speed, Erie Explosion, Harrisburg Stampede, and Richmond Raiders. It was thought that the Fayetteville Guard would also move to the SIFL but another sports marketing group from Fayetteville announced it would field a new team from the Fayetteville market independent to the Guard. This brought the league total to 16 clubs. The AIFA West league was to continue to operate independent of that merger, but ceased operations in January of that year. The owners of the Fayetteville Force sold their assets partway through the 2011 season. The Lafayette Wildcatters suspended operations the day before the 2011 season started and the Mobile Tarpons folded roughly a month into the 2011 season.
and the Southeast-based Professional Indoor Football League
. The remaining three teams were claimed by the revived American Indoor Football Association. The SIFL itself has mostly been silent since July 2011, and its future fate is unknown.
Sources: http://www.thestatguys.com/SIFL/2009P/LOU0727.HTM, http://www.thestatguys.com/SIFL/2010/COL0718.HTM, http://www.thestatguys.com/SIFL/2011/ALB0702.HTM
Sources: http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3871854, http://www.southernifl.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61:las-jones-named-sifl-lineman-of-the-year&catid=3:latest-news&Itemid=21, http://www.southernifl.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56:lee-named-sifl-coach-of-the-year&catid=3:latest-news&Itemid=21, http://www.southernifl.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41:sifl-lists-2009-front-office-winners&catid=3:latest-news&Itemid=21
Sources: http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4048383, http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4175678
Sources: http://southernifl.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=529:sifl-names-2011-mvps-coach-of-the-year&catid=3:latest-news&Itemid=21
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
league based in the Southern and Eastern United States. The most recent incarnation of the league was a consolidation of an earlier league of the same name that was formed by Thom Hager along with Dan Blum, Robert Winfrey and Dan Ryan in 2009 and the American Indoor Football Association, which traces its roots to the founding of the Atlantic Indoor Football League in 2005. The SIFL broke up into three regional leagues after the 2011 season.
2009 Season
Based in Texas and Louisiana, it had five teams for its inaugural season. The Acadiana Mudbugs, Austin Turfcats, Houma Conquerors, Texas Hurricanes, and Louisiana Swashbucklers are the teams that comprised the first season. The 2009 SIFL staff included Commissioner Dan Blum, Director of Operations Robert Winfrey, Director of Communications Dan Ryan, Director of Quality Control Bryan Shoemaker and Director of Creative Services Scott Blanchard. The first round of the playoffs had #1 Louisiana defeating #4 Houma, and #2 Austin defeating #3 Acadiana. The inaugural SIFL season concluded with the President's Cup Championship Game which saw the Louisiana Swashbucklers defeat the Austin Turfcats 59-38.2010 season
The second season of the SIFL played with five teams. The loss of the Austin Turfcats, Houma Conquerors, and Texas Hurricanes were countered with the addition of the Albany Panthers, Columbus Lions, and Greenville Force. The Lafayette Wildcatters, who changed its name from the Acadiana Mudbugs, and the Louisiana Swashbucklers returned for the 2010 season. The 2010 SIFL staff included Commissioner Dan Blum, Director of Operations Robert Winfrey, Director of Communications Matthew Hester,and Director of Quality Control Bryan Shoemaker.2011 Season
After the 2010 season, the Greenville Force was dropped from the SIFL. With the exit of the Force, the SIFL added the Alabama Hammers, Houston Stallions, Mobile Bay Tarpons, Rio Grande Valley Magic, and Trenton Steel for the 2011 season. At the same time, the Abilene Ruff Riders and Corpus Christi Hammerheads made the move to the SIFL from the IFL.Gary Tufford took over the reigns of the league as Commissioner and built the SIFL into the 16 team league that would compete in the 2011 season.
On November 9, 2010, the SIFL announced its merger with the East Division of the American Indoor Football Association, adding the Carolina Speed, Erie Explosion, Harrisburg Stampede, and Richmond Raiders. It was thought that the Fayetteville Guard would also move to the SIFL but another sports marketing group from Fayetteville announced it would field a new team from the Fayetteville market independent to the Guard. This brought the league total to 16 clubs. The AIFA West league was to continue to operate independent of that merger, but ceased operations in January of that year. The owners of the Fayetteville Force sold their assets partway through the 2011 season. The Lafayette Wildcatters suspended operations the day before the 2011 season started and the Mobile Tarpons folded roughly a month into the 2011 season.
Breakup
In September 2011, the majority of teams in the SIFL broke off to join two new leagues, the Texas-based Lone Star Football LeagueLone Star Football League
The Lone Star Football League is a regional professional indoor football league set to begin its inaugural season in 2012. All six of the LSFL's charter teams are based in the state of Texas, with five teams coming from the Southern Indoor Football League and two from the Indoor Football...
and the Southeast-based Professional Indoor Football League
Professional Indoor Football League (2012)
The Professional Indoor Football League is a regional professional indoor football league set to begin its inaugural season in 2012. Like the Lone Star Football League, the PIFL is mainly composed of teams formerly from Southern Indoor Football League .Despite the name, this PIFL has no...
. The remaining three teams were claimed by the revived American Indoor Football Association. The SIFL itself has mostly been silent since July 2011, and its future fate is unknown.
Former Teams
- Austin TurfcatsAustin TurfcatsThe Austin Turfcats were a professional indoor football team that was a member of the Indoor Football League during the 2010 season, after being a charter member of the Southern Indoor Football League for the SIFL's inaugural 2009 season. Based in Texas' capital city of Austin, the Turfcats played...
- voluntarily left SIFL after inaugural season to join Indoor Football League for 2010 season. - Florida Kings - traveling team for 2009, expelled from SIFL.
- Greenville Force - no longer listed on SIFL page for 2011 season.
- Houma ConquerorsHouma ConquerorsThe Houma Conquerors are a professional indoor football team and a charter member of the Southern Indoor Football League . Based in Houma, Louisiana, the Conquerors played their home games at the Houma Terrebonne Civic Center. This was Houma's second attempt at an indoor football team following...
- Team is dormant for the 2010 season. - Texas Hurricanes - Team is dormant for the 2010 season.
- Lafayette Wildcatters - Team is dormant for the 2011 season.
- Mobile Bay Tarpons - Team is dormant for the remainder of the 2011 season.
- Fayetteville Force - Team left league midway through the 2011 season. Temporary team backed by the American Indoor Football Association played out the remainder of the season in the Force's place under the Force name.
- Erie Explosion - Team left for the Ultimate Indoor Football LeagueUltimate Indoor Football LeagueThe Ultimate Indoor Football League is a regional professional indoor football league that began its inaugural season on February 18, 2011.-History:...
. - Abilene Ruff Riders - Team left for the Lone Star Football LeagueLone Star Football LeagueThe Lone Star Football League is a regional professional indoor football league set to begin its inaugural season in 2012. All six of the LSFL's charter teams are based in the state of Texas, with five teams coming from the Southern Indoor Football League and two from the Indoor Football...
. - Corpus Christi HammerheadsCorpus Christi HammerheadsThe Corpus Christi Hammerheads are a professional indoor football team from Corpus Christi, Texas. They are a member of the Lone Star Football League.-History:The Hammerheads were a charter member of the Intense Football League...
- Team left for the Lone Star Football LeagueLone Star Football LeagueThe Lone Star Football League is a regional professional indoor football league set to begin its inaugural season in 2012. All six of the LSFL's charter teams are based in the state of Texas, with five teams coming from the Southern Indoor Football League and two from the Indoor Football...
. - Houston StallionsHouston StallionsThe Houston Stallions are a professional indoor football team that competes in the Lone Star Football League. Based in Houston, Texas, the Stallions play their home games at the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas.-2011 Inaugural Season:...
- Team left for the Lone Star Football LeagueLone Star Football LeagueThe Lone Star Football League is a regional professional indoor football league set to begin its inaugural season in 2012. All six of the LSFL's charter teams are based in the state of Texas, with five teams coming from the Southern Indoor Football League and two from the Indoor Football...
. - Rio Grande Valley MagicRio Grande Valley MagicThe Rio Grande Valley Magic is a professional indoor football team of the Lone Star Football League. Based in Hidalgo, Texas, the Magic plays its home games at the State Farm Arena....
- Team left for the Lone Star Football LeagueLone Star Football LeagueThe Lone Star Football League is a regional professional indoor football league set to begin its inaugural season in 2012. All six of the LSFL's charter teams are based in the state of Texas, with five teams coming from the Southern Indoor Football League and two from the Indoor Football...
. - Laredo RattlesnakesLaredo RattlesnakesThe Laredo Rattlesnakes are a professional indoor football team in the Lone Star Football League due to begin play in the 2012 season. Based in Laredo, Texas, the Rattlesnakes will play their home games at the Laredo Energy Arena....
- Originally set to be part of 2012 SIFL season, but left to help start Lone Star Football LeagueLone Star Football LeagueThe Lone Star Football League is a regional professional indoor football league set to begin its inaugural season in 2012. All six of the LSFL's charter teams are based in the state of Texas, with five teams coming from the Southern Indoor Football League and two from the Indoor Football...
. - Alabama HammersAlabama HammersThe Alabama Hammers are a professional indoor football team in the Professional Indoor Football League. Based in Huntsville, Alabama, the Hammers play their home games at the Von Braun Center....
- Team left for the Professional Indoor Football LeagueProfessional Indoor Football League (2012)The Professional Indoor Football League is a regional professional indoor football league set to begin its inaugural season in 2012. Like the Lone Star Football League, the PIFL is mainly composed of teams formerly from Southern Indoor Football League .Despite the name, this PIFL has no...
. - Albany PanthersAlbany PanthersThe Albany Panthers are an indoor football team in the Professional Indoor Football League. Based in Albany, Georgia, their home games are played at the Gray Civic Center....
- Team left for the Professional Indoor Football LeagueProfessional Indoor Football League (2012)The Professional Indoor Football League is a regional professional indoor football league set to begin its inaugural season in 2012. Like the Lone Star Football League, the PIFL is mainly composed of teams formerly from Southern Indoor Football League .Despite the name, this PIFL has no...
. - Columbus LionsColumbus LionsThe Columbus Lions are an indoor football team of the Professional Indoor Football League. Based in Columbus, Georgia, the Lions play their home games at the Columbus Civic Center...
- Team left for the Professional Indoor Football LeagueProfessional Indoor Football League (2012)The Professional Indoor Football League is a regional professional indoor football league set to begin its inaugural season in 2012. Like the Lone Star Football League, the PIFL is mainly composed of teams formerly from Southern Indoor Football League .Despite the name, this PIFL has no...
. - Louisiana SwashbucklersLouisiana SwashbucklersThe Louisiana Swashbucklers is a professional indoor football team formed in 2005 as an expansion member of the National Indoor Football League as the Southwest Louisiana Swashbucklers. In 2006, they moved to the Intense Football League and shortened their name to Louisiana Swashbucklers...
- Team left for the Professional Indoor Football LeagueProfessional Indoor Football League (2012)The Professional Indoor Football League is a regional professional indoor football league set to begin its inaugural season in 2012. Like the Lone Star Football League, the PIFL is mainly composed of teams formerly from Southern Indoor Football League .Despite the name, this PIFL has no...
. - Richmond Raiders - Team left for the Professional Indoor Football LeagueProfessional Indoor Football League (2012)The Professional Indoor Football League is a regional professional indoor football league set to begin its inaugural season in 2012. Like the Lone Star Football League, the PIFL is mainly composed of teams formerly from Southern Indoor Football League .Despite the name, this PIFL has no...
. - Trenton SteelTrenton SteelThe Trenton Steel is a professional indoor football team that began play in the Southern Indoor Football League in the 2011 season. The Steel are based in Trenton, New Jersey, with home games played at the Sun National Bank Center. The team made its home debut March 26, 2011, losing 76-73 to the...
- Team claimed by American Indoor Football. - Harrisburg StampedeHarrisburg StampedeThe Harrisburg Stampede is a professional indoor football team in American Indoor Football. The team plays its home games at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center....
- Team claimed by American Indoor Football. - Carolina Speed - Team claimed by American Indoor Football.
President's Cup
| Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Louisiana Swashbucklers Louisiana Swashbucklers The Louisiana Swashbucklers is a professional indoor football team formed in 2005 as an expansion member of the National Indoor Football League as the Southwest Louisiana Swashbucklers. In 2006, they moved to the Intense Football League and shortened their name to Louisiana Swashbucklers... |
Austin Turfcats Austin Turfcats The Austin Turfcats were a professional indoor football team that was a member of the Indoor Football League during the 2010 season, after being a charter member of the Southern Indoor Football League for the SIFL's inaugural 2009 season. Based in Texas' capital city of Austin, the Turfcats played... |
59-38 |
| 2010 | Columbus Lions Columbus Lions The Columbus Lions are an indoor football team of the Professional Indoor Football League. Based in Columbus, Georgia, the Lions play their home games at the Columbus Civic Center... |
Louisiana Swashbucklers Louisiana Swashbucklers The Louisiana Swashbucklers is a professional indoor football team formed in 2005 as an expansion member of the National Indoor Football League as the Southwest Louisiana Swashbucklers. In 2006, they moved to the Intense Football League and shortened their name to Louisiana Swashbucklers... |
68-13 |
| 2011 | Albany Panthers Albany Panthers The Albany Panthers are an indoor football team in the Professional Indoor Football League. Based in Albany, Georgia, their home games are played at the Gray Civic Center.... |
Louisiana Swashbucklers Louisiana Swashbucklers The Louisiana Swashbucklers is a professional indoor football team formed in 2005 as an expansion member of the National Indoor Football League as the Southwest Louisiana Swashbucklers. In 2006, they moved to the Intense Football League and shortened their name to Louisiana Swashbucklers... |
69-48 |
Sources: http://www.thestatguys.com/SIFL/2009P/LOU0727.HTM, http://www.thestatguys.com/SIFL/2010/COL0718.HTM, http://www.thestatguys.com/SIFL/2011/ALB0702.HTM
2009 SIFL Award winners
- MVP: Kimmie Lewis (Acadiana)
- Offensive Player of the Year: Marcus Wilridge (Louisiana)
- Defensive Player of the Year: Kimmie Lewis (Acadiana)
- Special Teams Players of the Year: Tommy Hebert (Louisiana) and Darric Wallace (Austin)
- Lineman of the Year: John Paul Jones (Louisiana)
- Coach of the Year: Darnell Lee (Louisiana)
- Franchise of the Year: Louisiana Swashbucklers.
Sources: http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3871854, http://www.southernifl.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61:las-jones-named-sifl-lineman-of-the-year&catid=3:latest-news&Itemid=21, http://www.southernifl.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56:lee-named-sifl-coach-of-the-year&catid=3:latest-news&Itemid=21, http://www.southernifl.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41:sifl-lists-2009-front-office-winners&catid=3:latest-news&Itemid=21
2010 SIFL Award winners
- MVP: Cecil Lester (Albany)
- Offensive Player of the Year: Chris McCoy (Columbus)
- Defensive Player of the Year: Damian Daniels (Columbus)
- Special Teams Player of the Year: Trey Crum (Columbus)
- Lineman of the Year: Franklin Lloyd (Columbus)
- Coach of the Year: Lucious Davis (Albany)
- Franchise of the Year: Albany Panthers
Sources: http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4048383, http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4175678
2011 SIFL Award winners
- MVP: Adam DiMicheleAdam DiMicheleAdam DiMichele is a professional quarterback who is currently a member of the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League.. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
(Erie) - Offensive Player of the Year: Kevin Concepcion (Erie)
- Defensive Player of the Year: Damian Daniels (Columbus)
- Special Teams Player of the Year: Craig Camay (Trenton)
- Coach of the Year: Gerald Dockery (Houston)
Sources: http://southernifl.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=529:sifl-names-2011-mvps-coach-of-the-year&catid=3:latest-news&Itemid=21