Post by 50yardfan on Jul 2, 2011 12:44:29 GMT -5
Established league a must for success
www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110702/A_SPORTS/107020321
STOCKTON - The Wolves are the only stable franchise in their league, a problem they hope to solve next season.
Stockton became part of the hastily established Western Indoor Football Association with three other teams and has had to fill several games with last-minute replacements. The Wolves have dealt with a series of cancellations by opponents, and today's scheduled foe, the Reno Barons, won't be coming to town. The franchise ceased operations last week and will be replaced by the Alameda County Knights, a semi-pro outdoor team, for the Wolves' season finale at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena.
"No matter who we play, we want to go out and play well and give the fans a good show," Stockton receiver Dominique Howard said. "That's what we always want to do."
The Wolves (7-2) moved to Stockton from Daly City and have had to scramble to find replacements four times in seven home dates. General manager and coach Bennie King said he wants to stay in Stockton next season and is searching for an established league.
"This cannot stay in its current state. We have to be in a legit league where teams are going to show up and play," King said. "We owe it to the fans who have shown up and spent their money and want this product to stay."
Officials from the team and the arena have stated they would discuss the futue after the season.
King said he's looking into two leagues but declined to identify them. The Wolves recently traveled to Sioux City, Iowa, to play the Bandits, who are part of the 8-year-old American Professional Football League. Their former league, the American Indoor Football Association, is scheduled to relaunch in 2012 with the possibility of a western division. There are other leagues around the country such as the Indoor Football League, which has 22 teams in 14 states, including three in Washington.
Part of the dilemma was the Wolves' long wait to secure a deal with the arena, which changed management from International Facilities Group to SMG. The team created the WIFA with Reno, Tucson (Ariz.) and Las Vegas, and filled the schedule with independent franchises.
King said he does not regret playing this season, despite all of the difficulties, rather than taking the season off.
"It's always tougher to go dormant and try to come back," King said. "It was important to go out and try to establish our brand."
Stockton won three of its four games with Reno this season. The Reno Gazette Journal reported recently that the Barons were unable to meet payroll and cancelled their final two games. The Wolves already have locked up the league title, but there won't be a postseason.
The Alameda County Knights are based in Hayward. The Wolves played the Stockton Hurricanes and Sacramento Warriors earlier this season. Both are semi-pro outdoor teams.
TODAY'S GAME
Knights at Wolves
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., Stockton Arena
Records: Alameda County 0-0; Stockton 7-2
Information: stocktonwolves.com
www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110702/A_SPORTS/107020321
STOCKTON - The Wolves are the only stable franchise in their league, a problem they hope to solve next season.
Stockton became part of the hastily established Western Indoor Football Association with three other teams and has had to fill several games with last-minute replacements. The Wolves have dealt with a series of cancellations by opponents, and today's scheduled foe, the Reno Barons, won't be coming to town. The franchise ceased operations last week and will be replaced by the Alameda County Knights, a semi-pro outdoor team, for the Wolves' season finale at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena.
"No matter who we play, we want to go out and play well and give the fans a good show," Stockton receiver Dominique Howard said. "That's what we always want to do."
The Wolves (7-2) moved to Stockton from Daly City and have had to scramble to find replacements four times in seven home dates. General manager and coach Bennie King said he wants to stay in Stockton next season and is searching for an established league.
"This cannot stay in its current state. We have to be in a legit league where teams are going to show up and play," King said. "We owe it to the fans who have shown up and spent their money and want this product to stay."
Officials from the team and the arena have stated they would discuss the futue after the season.
King said he's looking into two leagues but declined to identify them. The Wolves recently traveled to Sioux City, Iowa, to play the Bandits, who are part of the 8-year-old American Professional Football League. Their former league, the American Indoor Football Association, is scheduled to relaunch in 2012 with the possibility of a western division. There are other leagues around the country such as the Indoor Football League, which has 22 teams in 14 states, including three in Washington.
Part of the dilemma was the Wolves' long wait to secure a deal with the arena, which changed management from International Facilities Group to SMG. The team created the WIFA with Reno, Tucson (Ariz.) and Las Vegas, and filled the schedule with independent franchises.
King said he does not regret playing this season, despite all of the difficulties, rather than taking the season off.
"It's always tougher to go dormant and try to come back," King said. "It was important to go out and try to establish our brand."
Stockton won three of its four games with Reno this season. The Reno Gazette Journal reported recently that the Barons were unable to meet payroll and cancelled their final two games. The Wolves already have locked up the league title, but there won't be a postseason.
The Alameda County Knights are based in Hayward. The Wolves played the Stockton Hurricanes and Sacramento Warriors earlier this season. Both are semi-pro outdoor teams.
TODAY'S GAME
Knights at Wolves
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., Stockton Arena
Records: Alameda County 0-0; Stockton 7-2
Information: stocktonwolves.com