Iowa Barnstormers (AF2)
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| Conference | American |
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| Division | Midwest |
| Year founded | 1995 |
| Home arena | Wells Fargo Arena, 16,980 |
| City, State | Des Moines, Iowa |
| Indoor football championships | League Championships (none) Conference Championships (1996, 1997) Division Championships (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999) Wild Card Births (1995) |
The Iowa Barnstormers are an arena football team that is playing in their second season in the Arenafootball2 league after competing for six season in the Arena Football League. The franchise was granted when the former Arena Football League team of the same name moved to New York as the New York Dragons for the 2001 season. In 2001, the team's first season of playing in Arenafootball2, the Barnstormers played in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium (a/k/a "The Barn). They finished 9-7 overall, missing the playoffs and suspending operations the very next year until 2008.
[edit] Iowa Barnstormers History
1995-2001
On April 25, 2004, the Arena Football League approved an expansion team to be based in Des Moines, Iowa, starting with the 1995 season. The Iowa Barnstormers competed as an AFL team from 1995 to 2000, successfully reaching the ArenaBowl in 1996 and 1997, as well as developing NFL superstar Kurt Warner. The need for a more modern venue as well as the league's desire for a larger market led to the move to New York despite two failed past attempts in the city, the New York Knights (1988) and the New York CityHawks (1997-1998), both of which played at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. The team was purchased by Charles Wang, who is also the Islanders' majority owner and re-named the New York Dragons.
The Arena Football organization did award an af2 franchise to Iowa for the 2001 season also called the Barnstormers, but that team suspended operations after the season. The original Barnstormers were noted for their unique uniforms, which in keeping with the aviation theme included the depiction of goggles on the helmets, wings on the shoulders of the jerseys, and propellers on the pants legs. The primary figures in the original Iowa organization were Jim Foster, the inventor of Arena Football and Kurt Warner, the quarterback who went on to play for the St. Louis Rams and win both the NFL MVP and Super Bowl XXXIV MVP.
Aside from the league's desire to re-enter the New York market, another major reason cited for the team's relocation was the inadequacy of their Des Moines venue, the Iowa Veterans Memorial Auditorium, also known as "The Barn". Most of the seats in this venue were located directly along the sidelines as is typical of high school sports venues. The Barnstormers organization constantly lobbied for the construction of a better facility during their time in Des Moines, to no avail.
In 2005, the Wells Fargo Arena opened in Des Moines, directly across from what the locals call "Vets", as part of the newly expanded Iowa Events Center. A new Barnstormers af2 franchise began play there for the 2008 season.
2008-present
On September 20, 2007, the af2 announced that they had approved the inactive franchise's new ownership, meaning that the Barnstormers resumed play in 2008 at the Wells Fargo Arena. They hold practices at the historic Veterans Memorial Auditorium, and they inherited the tradition of the original Barnstormers. The team adopted the original unique uniforms, which in keeping with the aviation theme included the depiction of goggles on the helmets, wings on the shoulders of the jerseys, and propellers on the pants legs. The mascot, a dog named Ace, is featured in this helmet, along with the uniform jersey and pants.[1]
[edit] First Game
On May 12, 1995, the Barnstormers played their first regular season game, on the road against the Milwaukee Mustangs. In a wild finish that saw both teams combine to score 24 points in the final 40.4 seconds of the fourth quarter, the Barnstormers won, 69-61. The next weekend, May 20, 1995, the Barnstormers played their first regular season home game against the Miami Hooters at Veterans Memorial Auditorium. They won, 41-29. On August 13, 1995, the Barnstormers would play and win their first playoff game over the Arizona Rattlers, 56-52.
After being on hiatus for six seasons, the Barnstormers played their first regular season game of 2008, falling at the Louisville Fire 58-28 on March 29, 2008. The following week, they would return home for a Monday Night primetime match-up with the Lexington Horsemen on April 14, 2008. In the debut of Arena Football at the Wells Fargo Arena, the Barnstormers lost a close 43-41 contest. The next week, Iowa won their first regular season match-up since 2001, defeating the Quad City Steamwheelers 58-38 on April 19 in Moline, Illinois. The team would win their first home game at the Wells Fargo Arena on April 26, 2008, defeating the Stockton Lightning 47-24.
[edit] ArenaBowl X
Held August 26, 1996, ArenaBowl X was the Arena Football League's tenth ArenaBowl. In this match-up, it pitted the National Conference Champions Tampa Bay Storm against the number one overall seed American Conference Champion Iowa Barnstormers. Both teams ended their regular seasons at 12-2, yet Iowa had a better conference record (7-2 to 6-2). For the Storm, they were hoping to get their fourth championship title in six overall appearances, while the Barnstormers (in only their second season) were trying to win their very first league championship game.
In the first quarter, Tampa Bay struck first with QB Jay Gruden completing a 12-yard TD pass to OL/DL Lynn Rowland, yet the Barnstormers took the lead with QB Kurt Warner completing a 16-yard TD pass to WR/LB Chris Spencer and a 30-yard TD pass to OS Lamont 'Lamart' Cooper. The Storm would wrap up the period with Gruden completing a 30-yard TD pass to OS George LaFrance (with a failed PAT). In the second quarter, Iowa increased its lead with Warner completing a 9-yard TD pass to WR/DB Willis Jacox, yet Tampa Bay took control with Gruden completing a 35-yard TD pass to WR/LB Stevie Thomas. Afterwards, Thomas would return an interception 9 yards for a touchdown. The Barnstormers would wrap up the half with FB/LB Ron Moran getting a 1-yard TD run. In the third quarter, the Storm increased its lead with Gruden completing a 21-yard TD pass to FB/LB Ivan Caesar, yet Iowa responded with kicker Mike Black getting a 32-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Barnstormers reclaimed its lead with Warner and Spencer hooking up with each other again on a 4-yard TD pass, yet Tampa Bay retook the lead with Gruden and Thomas hooking up with each other again on a 7-yard TD pass. Afterwards, Warner would lead Iowa on a late game drive to the Storm's 1-yard, yet on four-straight downs, Tampa Bay kept the Barnstormers out of the end zone.
With the win, the Storm claimed its fourth title in six seasons. An then AFL-record audience of over one million watched the game live on ESPN.
Box Score: 1st Quarter; TB - Rowland 12 pass from Gruden (Cimadevilla kick), IOW - Spencer 16 pass from Warner (Black kick), IOW - Cooper 30 pass from Warner (Black kick), TB - LaFrance 30 pass from Gruden (Cimadevilla kick failed), 2nd QuarterIOW - Jacox 9 pass from Warner (Black kick), TB - Thomas 35 pass from Gruden (Cimadevilla kick) TB - Thomas 9 Interception Return (Gruden pass), IOW - Moran 1 Run (Black), 3rd Quarter; TB - Caesar 21 pass from Gruden (Cimadevilla kick)IOW - FG Black 32, 4th Quarter; IOW - Spencer 4 yard pass from Warner (Black kick), TB - Thomas 7 pass from Gruden (Cimadevilla kick), Location;' Des Moines, IA, Attendance; 11,411, MVP; TB - Stevie Thomas, Iron Man; IOW - Lenard Conley
[edit] ArenaBowl XI
Held August 25, 1997, ArenaBowl XI was the Arena Football League's eleventh ArenaBowl. In this match-up of American Conference Champions Iowa Barnstormers (11-3) against the National Conference Champions Arizona Rattlers (12-2). Iowa was coming off of losing ArenaBowl X to the Tampa Bay Storm and were still looking for their first championship title, while Arizona was making its second appearance after winning ArenaBowl VIII against the Orlando Predators three before. Now, they were trying to acquire their second league title.
In the first quarter, the Rattlers slithered first with kicker Anthony Brenner getting a 19-yard Field Goal, yet the Barnstormers responded with QB Kurt Warner completing a 30-yard TD pass to OS Lamont 'Lamart' Cooper. In the second quarter, Arizona lead off the period with FB/LB Robert 'Bob' McMillen getting a 1-yard TD run, whle Iowa kicker Mike Black nailed a 25-yard field goal. The Rattlers would begin to take command with QB Donnie Davis (who was filling in for an injured Sherdrick Bonner) completing a 4-yard TD pass to / Hernandez 'Hunkie' Cooper, while the Barnstormers' only response was Black kicking a 20-yard field goal. Immediately afterwards, the Rattlers continued striking as Hunkie Cooper would return the kickoff 56 yards for a touchdown to end the half. In the third quarter, Arizona continued its domination as Davis got a 1-yard QB Sneak run for a touchdown, while Hunkie Cooper returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown. Iowa's only response from the period was Warner completing another 30-yard TD pass to Lamont Cooper. Afterwards, the Rattlers wrapped up ther period with Davis completing a 49-yard TD pass to WR/LB 'Shakes' Calvin Schexnayder. In the fourth quarter, the Barnstormers tried to fight back with WR/DB Willis Jacox getting a 1-yard TD run, yet Arizona wrapped the game up with Davis and Schexnayder hooking up with each other again on a 28-yard TD pass, while Brenner would put on the finishing touches with a 44-yard field goal. All that was left of Iowa's attack was Warner completing a 9-yard TD pass to WR/LB Leonard Conley.
With the win, the Rattlers got their second ArenaBowl title in franchise history.
Box Score: 1st Quarter;ARI - FG Brenner 19, IOW - Copper 30 pass from Warner (Black run), 2nd Quarter;'ARI - McMillen 1 run (Brenner kick), IOW - FG Black 25, ARI - Cooper 4 pass from David (Brenner kick, IOW - FG Black 20, ARI - Cooper 56 Kickoff Return (Brenner kick), 3rd Quarter;ARI - Davis 1 run (Brenner kick), ARI - Cooper 30 Interception Return (Brenner kick), IOW - Cooper 30 pass from Warner (Black kick), ARI - Schexnayder 49 pass from Davis (Brenner kick), 4th Quarter;IOW - Jacox 1 run (Black kick), ARI - Schexnayder 28 pass from Davis (Brenner kick) ARI - FG Brenner 44, IOW - Conley 9 pass from Warner (Warner pass failed), Location; Phoenix, AZ, Attendance; 17,436, MVP; ARI - Donnie Davis, Iron Man; Hernandez 'Hunkie' Cooper
[edit] 1999 American Conference Championship
On August 13, 1999, Connell Maynor passed for five touchdowns as the Orlando Predators defeated the Barnstormers 48-41
in the American Conference Championship. The victory sent the defending ArenaBowl Champion Predators to their fifth ArenaBowl, ArenaBowl XIII, where they would fall to the Albany Firebirds 59-48. Iowa ended the season with a 12-4 record. It was Iowa's third American Conference Championship game and their first conference championship loss in franchise history (the Barnstormers won the conference championship in 1996 & 1997).
Box Score: 1st Quarter; Orlando 10, Iowa 0, 2nd Quarter; Orlando 21, Iowa 7 3rd Quarter; Iowa 14, Orlando 7, 4th Quarter; Iowa 20, Orlando 10, Location; Des Moines, IA, Attendance; 11,411, MVP; Connell Maynor, Orlando, Iron Man; Leonard Conley, Iowa
[edit] Kurt Warner
After completing his college career, he attended the Green Bay Packers training camp in 1994, but was released before the regular season began. Warner returned to Northern Iowa and worked as a graduate assistant coach with the football team, all the while still hoping to get a tryout with an NFL team. With no NFL teams willing to give him a chance, Warner turned to the Arena Football League in 1995 and signed with the Iowa Barnstormers. Warner was named to the AFL's All-Arena first team in both 1996 and 1997 as he led the Barnstormers to ArenaBowl appearances in both seasons. He was also named on a 20 player list of the best arena football players of all time. Some consider Warner as the greatest Arena Football player ever.
In 1997, Warner was offered an NFL tryout by the Chicago Bears, but an injury to his throwing elbow caused by a venomous spider bite received during his honeymoon prevented him from attending.[citation needed]
In 1998, Warner was signed by the St. Louis Rams, yet he was allocated to NFL Europe's Amsterdam Admirals.
Warner was the backup quarterback for the St. Louis Rams during the 1998 regular season and the 1999 preseason. When starting quarterback Trent Green was injured in a preseason game, Warner took over as the starter. With the support of running back Marshall Faulk and wide receivers Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, Az-Zahir Hakim, and Ricky Proehl, Warner completed one of the top seasons by a quarterback in NFL history by throwing for 4,353 yards with 41 touchdown passes and a completion rate of 65.1%. The Rams' high-powered offense was nicknamed "The Greatest Show on Turf" and registered the first in a string of three consecutive 500-point seasons, an NFL record. Warner threw three touchdown passes in each of the first three games in the 1999 season, his first three NFL starts. He is the only NFL quarterback in history to accomplish that feat, and only the second other than Dan Marino to do it in his first two NFL starts.
Warner really drew attention, however, in the season's next game, a home game against the San Francisco 49ers, who had been NFC West Division champs for 12 of the previous 13 seasons. The Rams had lost 17 of their previous 18 meetings with the 49ers and had a 3-0 record along with the 49ers' 2-1 record. Warner proceeded to throw three touchdown passes on the Rams' first three possessions of the game and four in the first half to propel the Rams to a 28-10 halftime lead on the way to a 42-20 victory. Warner finished the game with five touchdown passes, giving him 14 in four games and, more importantly, the Rams a 4-0 record. After many years of defeats and losing records, football experts finally had to take notice.
Warner's breakout season from a career in anonymity was so unexpected that Sports Illustrated featured him on their October 18 cover with the caption "Who IS this guy?" [2] He was named the 1999 NFL MVP at the season's end.
In the NFL playoffs, Warner led the Rams to a Super Bowl XXXIV victory against the Tennessee Titans. He threw for two touchdowns and a Super Bowl record 414 passing yards, including a 73-yard touchdown to Isaac Bruce when the game was tied with just over two minutes to play. Warner also set a Super Bowl record by attempting 45 passes without a single interception.
Warner was awarded the Super Bowl MVP, becoming one of only six players to win both the league MVP and Super Bowl MVP awards in the same year. The others are Bart Starr in 1966, Terry Bradshaw in 1978, Joe Montana in 1989, Emmitt Smith in 1993, and Steve Young in 1994.
Warner played for the Saint Louis Rams until July, 1 2004, when he was released and picked up by the New York Giants. The Giants would then trade him to his current team the Arizona Cardinals in 2005.
[edit] Most Memorable Trade
With the loss of Kurt Warner to the NFL and after an 0-5 start, the Barnstormers traded WR/LB Chris Spencer and OL/DL John Dixon on June 1, 1998, to the New Jersey Red Dogs for quarterback Aaron Garcia, who would go on to break most of Warner¹s passing records while playing for the Barnstormers and the New York Dragons.
[edit] The Tailgate
The Iowa Barnstormers are known for their tailgate experience. It is considered one of the best environments to tailgate in all of Arena Football. The tailgate party begins hours before kick-off, featuring live music and entertainment; similar to college football tailgates through the county.
[edit] The Flight Crew
The Iowa Barnstormers famous cheer squad is know as the Storm Chasers. Each game the Storm Chasers appear led by the team's mascot Billy, a barnstormer who rides Barn Force One, and Ace the dog. All make up the historic fan club known as the Flight Crew.
[edit] #8 Helmet
On June 6, 2008, The Shutdown Corner voted the Iowa Barnstormers football Helmet the eighth coolest helmet in pro football history. The article stated "the inclusion of the Iowa Barnstormers on this prestigious list can be justified with two words: Snoopy. Goggles." The Pittsburg Steelers were ranked number one, followed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Green Bay Packers, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Houston Oilers.
[edit] Attendance
During the 2008 season, the Barnstormers have ranked second in average home paid attendance in Arenafootball2 and the team is ranked 17th in average home paid attendance out of the 46 combine teams in the Arena Football League and Arenafootball2.
Historically the Barnstormers have ranked high in home paid attendance. In the Arena Football League, they finished 7th in 1995, 8th in 1996, 9th in 1997, 8th in 1998, 9th in 1999, and 9th in 2000. The Barnstormers finished 10th in Arenafootball2 during the 2001 season.
The Barnstormers have averaged 10,418 per game in home paid attendance throughout the team's history.
[edit] Season-by-season
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties
| Season | W | L | T | Finish | Playoff results | |
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| Arena Football League | ||||||
| 1995 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2nd AC Central | Won 56-52, American Conference Quarterfinal at (Arizona) Lost 49-56 American Conference Semifinal vs (Orlando) |
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| 1996 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1st AC Central | Bye American Conference Quarterfinal Won 52-49, American Conference Semifinal vs (St. Louis) Won 62-55, American Conference Final vs (Albany) Lost 38-42, ArenaBowl X (Tampa Bay) |
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| 1997 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 1st AC Central | Bye American Conference Quarterfinal Won 68-59, American Conference Semifinal vs (San Jose) Won 52-34, American Conference Final vs (Orlando) Lost 33-55, ArenaBowl XI (Arizona) |
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| 1998 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 3rd AC Central | Did Not Qualify | |
| 1999 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 1st AC Central | Bye American Conference Quarterfinal Won 66-34, American Conference Semifinal vs (Milwaukee) Lost 41-48, American Conference Final vs (Orlando) |
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| 2000 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 1st AC Central | Bye American Conference Quarterfinal Lost 56-63, American Conference Semifinal vs (Nashville) |
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| Arena Football League 2 | ||||||
| 2001 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 3rd AC Midwest | Did Not Qualify | |
| 2002 | On Hiatus Did Not Play | |||||
| 2003 | ||||||
| 2004 | ||||||
| 2005 | ||||||
| 2006 | ||||||
| 2007 | ||||||
| *2008 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 6th AC Midwest | -- | |
| Total | 67 | 41 | 0 | 4 Division Titles | 6-5 Playoff Record | |
[edit] Record vs. Opponents
Note: Includes Playoffs Home Record: 43-21 Away Record: 30-25
[edit] Current Roster
Iowa Barnstormers 2008 Roster
No Name POS HT WT DOB Hometown School
- 0 Jeremy Loyd LB 6-3 235 07/30/1980 Pittsburgh, TX Iowa State University
- 1 Tim Dodge WR/DB 5'10 190 08/07/1978 Britt, IA University of Iowa
- 2 Robert Kilow WR 5'11 178 02/29/1976 Daleville, AL Arkansas State University.
- 3 Jeff Glas K 5'11 194 04/25/1981 Cedar Falls, IA University of North Dakota
- 4 Bryan Pray WR 5'8 166 01/12/1985 Alexandria, LA Pittsburgh St.
- 5 Errick McCown WR 6-0 185 02/28/1983 Dallas, TX Oklahoma State University
- 6 Jason Simpson DB 6'1 196 04/06/1983 The Woodlands, TX University of Missouri
- 7 Kevin Williams WR/LB 6'1 202 06/19/1977 Pine Bluff, AR University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- 8 Quinton Morgan DB 5-10 185 07/11/1981 New Orleans, LA Langston University
- 9 Mike Matthes OL/DL 6'6 280 01/22/1983 Williamsburg, IA University of Northern Iowa
- 10 Neal Sharma QB 6'3 215 05/04/1982 San Jose, CA Long Island University C.W. Post
- 11 Joe Brannen QB 6'5 215 05/17/1983 Colo, IA Coe College
- 15 Buddy Rivera QB 6'1 200 07/07/1986 Grandville, MI Northern Michigan Universityeristy
- 20 Tanner Varner DB 6'0 200 07/13/1984 Ottumwa, IA University of Northern Iowa
- 22 Jack Walker Jr. WR/LB 6'4 195 09/23/1972 Toledo, Ohio Kent State University
- 32 Terrance Freeney FB/LB 5'10 230 04/10/1982 Cedar Falls IA University of Northern Iowa
- 33 Danny Triplett FB/LB 6'2 239 09/07/1983 Des Moines, IA University of Northern Iowa
- 35 Daniel McLemore DB 5'7 165 11/01/1982 Duncanville, TX Oklahoma State University
- 40 Euan McGhie FB 5'10 210 11/11/1981 New Zealand (INTL-New Zealand)
- 41 J.J. Payne FB 6'0 252 07/28/1985 Davenport, IA Western Illinois University
- 44 Jason Weite OL/DL 6'3 275 01/26/1977 Ottumwa, IA Southern Illinois University
- 45 Justin Butler FB/LB 6'1 290 11/27/1979 Bondurant-Farrar, IA Drake University
- 60 Eric Rothwell OL/DL 6'5 325 08/12/1980 McFarland, WI University of Iowa
- 62 Eric Anderson OL/DL 6'2 320 07/17/1978 Memphis, TN Memphis University
- 70 Michael Dansby OL/DL 6'4 312 06/30/1983 Birmingham, AL Jackson State University
- 77 Charles Johnson OL/DL 6'2 335 01/05/1983 Cedar Falls, IA University of Northern Iowa
- 84 Jason Berryman FB/LB 6'2 235 02/18/1985 Houston, Texas Iowa State University
- 88 Rashem Sharpe WR 6'3 225 08/24/1981 Sheen, MN Emporia St.
[edit] Current Coaching Staff
- John Gregory, Head Coach
- J.T Smith, Assistant Coach
- Carlos James, Assistant Coach
- Ryan Sloth, Assistant Coach
[edit] Notable Former Players
- Chris Anthony - WR/LB
- Rob Bironas - K
- Kevin Clemens - FB/LB
- DaShane Dennis - DS
- Mike Furrey - OS
- Aaron Garcia - QB
- Latrez Harrison - WR/LB
- Will Holder - WR/DB
- Gary Howe - OL/DL
- Mike Horacek - WR/LB
- Willis Jacox - FB/LB
- Kevin Kaesviharn - WR/DB
- Billy Parker - DS
- Dahnel Singfield - DS
- Kevin Swayne - OS
- Kurt Warner - QB
[edit] Front Office
- Jeff Lamberti, Principal / Owner
- Matt Strawn, Principal / Owner
- John Pettit, General Manager
- Greg Boyd, Director of Marketing
- Matt Swim, Director of Ticket Sales
- Aaron Roland, Account Executive
- Grant Young, Account Executive
- Becky Beach, Director of Corporate Partnerships
- Kari Putney, Corporate Sales
- Stephanie King, Office Manager
[edit] Voices of the Barnstormers
- Scott Casber, Public-Address Announcer
- Joe Stasi, Play-By-Play Radio Announcer
- Gary Fletcher, Radio Analyst
- Larry Morgan, Play-By-Play TV Announcer
- Larry Cotlar, On-Field Sideline Reporter
[edit] Past Head Coaches
- 1995-2000: John Gregory, 55-31
- 2001: Art Haege, 9-7
- 2008-Present: John Gregory, 3-7
[edit] AFL Hall of Famers
- Jon Roehlk
[edit] Retied Numbers
- 13 Kurt Warner
[edit] References
- ^ Witosky, Tom. "Barnstormers revived as af2 team", The Des Moines Register, 2007-09-20.
- ^ SI.com - Oct. 18, 1999
[edit] External links
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| American Conference | Eastern Division | Albany Conquest · Mahoning Valley Thunder · Manchester Wolves · Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers |
| Midwestern Division | Green Bay Blizzard · Iowa Barnstormers · Lexington Horsemen · Louisville Fire · Quad City Steamwheelers · Peoria Pirates | |
| Southern Division | Daytona Beach ThunderBirds · Florida Firecats · South Georgia Wildcats · Tennessee Valley Vipers | |
| National Conference | Central Division | Amarillo Dusters · Arkansas Twisters · Lubbock Renegades · Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz · Tulsa Talons |
| Southwestern Division | Austin Wranglers · Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings · Corpus Christi Sharks · Rio Grande Valley Dorados · Texas Copperheads | |
| Western Division | Boise Burn · Central Valley Coyotes · Spokane Shock · Stockton Lightning · Tri-Cities Fever | |
| Related articles: Arena Football League · af2 · Arena football · Indoor football | ||
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