West Virginia Wizards

The West Virginia Wizards were announced on October 29, 1997 as a trial member of the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL). The Wizards were to play a single exhibition game against the Utah Catzz on December 6, 1997. The PIFL commissioner, Richard "Dick" Suess, scheduled the pre-season indoor football game in Charleston, West Virginia to gauge fan interest.[1]

They were led by former West Virginia University quarterback Major Harris. The Wizards' uniforms consisted of solid white helmets (no logo), yellow jerseys with green numbers, and green pants. Major Harris lived up to his nickname of "Mr. Excitement" in leading the West Virginia Wizards to a 41-51 comeback victory over the Utah Catzz that Saturday night. An estimated crowd of 7,000 attended the exhibition.[2] Major Harris threw for 6 touchdowns and ran for another during this game.

There was a tryout for the Wizards held on April 9, 1998, at Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse in Huntington at 7pm. The West Virginia Wizards also were scheduled to play the Louisville Bulls in an exhibition on May 2, 1998, at the Huntington Civic Center. It is not known if this game took place.

Once the PIFL was official organized in 1998, they were no longer a part of the league.

References

  1. ^ Charleston Gazette "Indoor football game plan includes major", 30 October 1997
  2. ^ Charleston Gazette "Mahor's return spices up indoor football game", 7 December 1997