Iowa Barnstormers

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Iowa Barnstormers
Current season
Established 1994
Play in Wells Fargo Arena
in Des Moines, Iowa
Logo
League/conference affiliations

Arena Football League (1995-2000)

  • American Conference (1995-2000)
    • Central Division (1995-2000)

af2 (2001, 2008-09)

  • American Conference (2001)
  • American Conference (2008-2009)
    • Midwestern Division (2001)
    • Midwest Division (2008-2009)

Arena Football League (2010present)

  • National Conference (2010-2013)
  • American Conference (2014-present)
Team colors

Black, Gold, Red, White

                   
Mascot Billy Barnstormer & Ace
Personnel
Owner(s) Jeff Lamberti
Matt Strawn
General manager John Pettit
Head coach Mike Hohensee
Team history
  • Iowa Barnstormers (1995-2001)
  • Iowa Barnstormers (2008present)
Championships
League championships (0)

Conference championships (0)

Prior to 2005, the AFL did not have conference championship games

Division championships (5)

Playoff appearances (6)
Home arena(s)

The Iowa Barnstormers are an professional arena football team based in Des Moines, Iowa. They are currently members of the Arena Football League (AFL), which they joined in 2010 following the organization's restructuring. They play their home games at Wells Fargo Arena, known in arena football circles as "The Well".

Several teams called the Iowa Barnstormers have played in the AFL or its developmental league, af2, since 1995. The original team played in Des Moines' Veterans Memorial Auditorium from 1995–2000, and subsequently relocated to Uniondale, New York, where they were known as the New York Dragons. The following year Des Moines was awarded an af2 franchise that carried on the Barnstormers name and branding, but the team suspended operations after the end of the 2001 season. In 2008 a new Barnstormers team began play in the af2, now based in the new Wells Fargo Arena; this team joined the new AFL in 2010 following the league's reorganization.

History

1995–2001

On April 25, 1994, the Arena Football League approved an expansion team to be based in Des Moines, Iowa, to begin play in the 1995 season. The team was owned by Jim Foster, the inventor/creator of arena football, and the founder of the Arena Football League. 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, winning 41–29.

Behind the strength of AFL Coach of the Year John Gregory, the Barnstormers raced to a 3–0 start and secured the 5th seed for the playoffs. After upsetting defending ArenaBowl champion Arizona, 56–52, in their first playoff game, the Barnstormers fell, 56–49, to 6th-seeded Orlando in the semifinals.

After an 0–1 start to their second season, the Barnstormers won their first Central Division title on the strength of eight consecutive wins to close the season. After edging St. Louis and Albany in the first two rounds of the playoffs, the top-seeded Barnstormers lost a 42–38 heartbreaker at home to second-seeded Tampa Bay in ArenaBowl X.

In 1997, the Barnstormers repeated as Central Division champions with an 11–3 record, including a 61–38 road thrashing of the rival Storm to avenge the previous season's ArenaBowl defeat. With the 2nd seed in the playoffs, the Barnstormers avenged a regular season defeat against 7th-seeded San Jose, 68–59, before racing past 4th-seeded Orlando 52–34 to reach the franchise's second ArenaBowl in three seasons. However, in ArenaBowl XI, Arizona used a 42–13 scoring stretch over the 2nd and 3rd Quarters to roll past Iowa, 55–33.

Star offensive specialist Willis Jacox retired after the 1997 season, while star quarterback Kurt Warner signed with the St. Louis Rams of the NFL. Forced to rebuild after losing the eventual two-time NFL MVP, the Barnstormers limped to an 0–5 start in 1998. After acquiring Aaron Garcia from New Jersey, the Stormers improved, with a three-game winning streak sparked by Garcia and rookie sensation Kevin Swayne, putting the Barnstormers in playoff contention late in the year. But, in the end, they faltered, finishing 5–9, their worst season of their years in Iowa.

In 1999, the Barnstomer resurgence under Garcia continued, with Iowa winning nine of their last ten regular season games (following a 2–2 start) to capture their third Central Division title in four seasons and secure the 2nd seed in the playoffs. A thrashing of division rival Milwaukee in the quarterfinals paired with 8th-seeded Orlando's 41–19 shocker at Tampa Bay set Iowa up at home against the 6th-seeded Predators with a chance to advance to another home ArenaBowl. However, Orlando continued its shocking run to ArenaBowl XIII with a 56–49 upset of the Barnstormers.

The 2000 Barnstormers put up startling offensive numbers, as Garcia threw for 92 touchdowns against just 8 interceptions, with 46 of the touchdowns going to Mike Horacek. Despite this prolific offense, Iowa started slowly, losing three of their first four games. However, a five-game winning streak return the Barnstormers to the thick of the playoff hunt. Iowa went on to win their fourth Central Division crown in six seasons of play, earning the 3rd seed in the newly expanded playoffs. However, Iowa's playoff run came to a quick end on a Sunday afternoon in the quarterfinals, as the 6th-seeded Nashville scored the final 14 points to defeat Iowa, 49–42. 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.

Veterans Memorial Auditorium, where the Barnstormers played from 1995–2001.

2000–2001

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 (19971998), 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 renamed the New York Dragons.[1]

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.

The Arena Football organization awarded an af2 franchise to Iowa for the 2001 season, which continued the Barnstormer name. However, low attendance (less than half of the average of the AFL franchise) and a relatively poor season (a five-game winning streak to close the season wasn't able to turn a 4–7 start into a playoff berth) would lead to that franchise suspending operations following their first season.

2008–2009

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.[2]

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 (their 75th overall), 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. During the 2008 season, the Barnstormers ranked 17th in average home paid attendance out of the 46 combined teams in the Arena Football League and Arenafootball2. In both 2008 and 2009, Iowa ranked second in af2 attendance to Spokane, with attendances of 9,341 and 9,520, respectively.

2010–present

The Barnstormers playing against the Tampa Bay Storm during the 2013 season.

On September 28, 2009, the Barnstormers announced their status as a charter member of the new Arena Football League, marking their return to playing top-notch arena football after almost a decade of lower levels and inactivity.[3] A franchise-record 12,184 fans attended the 2010 opener; however, Iowa's first play from scrimmage resulted in an interception return for a touchdown by the Chicago Rush, an ominous harbinger of an eventual 7–9 season. The Barnstormers have averaged 10,418 per game in home paid attendance throughout the team's history.

Season-by-season

Record vs. Opponents

Note: Includes Playoffs Home Record: 44–30 Away Record: 45–23

Opponent Win Loss
Albany Firebirds 5 1
Amarillo Dusters 2 0
Anaheim Piranhas 2 0
Arizona Rattlers 3 5
Arkansas Twisters 0 1
Buffalo Destroyers 3 0
Charlotte Rage 1 0
Chicago Rush 1 2
Cleveland Thunderbolts 0 1
Colorado Crush 1 0
Connecticut Coyotes 2 0
Dallas Desperados 2 0
Detroit Drive 1 1
Florida Bobcats 0 1
Georgia Force 1 0
Grand Rapids Rampage 3 3
Green Bay Blizzard 1 3
Houston Thunderbears 5 2
Indiana Firebirds 1 0
Jacksonville Tomcats 1 0
Las Vegas Gladiators 0 1
Lexington Horsemen 1 1
Los Angeles Avengers 1 0
Louisville Fire 2 1
Manchester Wolves 1 0
Memphis Pharaohs 3 1
Miami Hooters 1 0
Milwaukee Mustangs 11 3
Minnesota Fighting Pike 1 0
Nashville Kats 4 1
New England Sea Wolves 1 0
New Jersey Red Dogs 2 0
New Orleans VooDoo 2 0
New York CityHawks 0 1
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz 1 1
Orlando Predators 4 3
Peoria Pirates 4 2
Portland Forest Dragons 3 1
Quad City Steamwheelers 4 4
Rochester Brigade 1 0
St. Louis Stampede 2 2
San Jose SaberCats 3 3
Spokane Shock 1 2
Stockton Lightning 1 0
Tampa Bay Storm 2 2
Tulsa Talons 2 4
Wichita Stealth 1 1
Total 89 53

Logos and uniforms

Erick McIntosh wearing the Barnstormers' 2013 all black home uniform.

When the Barnstormers began playing in 1995, the team's logo consisted of a circular logo, which depicted a barnstorming airplane over the city of Des Moines. The logo was surrounded by a circular script reading, "Arena Football Club." The circle logo also had wings on each side, with the words "Iowa" and "Barnstormers" on two lines above the circle logo. Below the logo was the words, "Des Moines." The team's colors consisted of black, gold and cardinal. The three colors are a combination of the Iowa Hawkeyes black and gold, and the Iowa State Cyclones cardinal and gold.

The goggles on the team's helmet make the Barnstormers helmet one of the most recognized helmets in AFL history. In a 2008 Yahoo! article, the Barnstormers' helmet was ranked as the 8th best helmet in pro football history.[4]

The Barnstormers' uniform design has essentially remained the same throughout the club's history. From 1995-2012, their uniform consists of a gold helmet, and either black or white jerseys with gold numbers on the black jerseys and black numbers on the white jersey. Gold pants were used with both jerseys. Beginning in 2013, the team has switched to black pants. Also changing was the changing of the gold helmet, to a black matte helmet.[5]

Notable Players

Current Roster

Iowa Barnstormers roster
Quarterbacks

Fullbacks

  • 41 Kai Brown
  • 48 Ben Stallings

Wide receivers

  • -- Dominique Johnson
  •  7 Darius Reynolds
  • -- Jamarko Simmons
  • -- Brodrick Smith
Offensive linemen
  • 77 LaVon McCoy
  • 69 Antonio Narcisse
  • 79 Anthony Parker
  • -- Jeremy Schonbrunner
  • 75 Tyler Wells

Defensive linemen

  • -- Wayne Dorsey
  • 53 Mike Lewis
  • 32 Odrick Ray
  • 99 William Stokes
  • 17 Matangi Tonga
Linebackers

Defensive backs

  • 21 Ter'Ran Benton
  •  8 De'Mon Glanton
  •  1 Erick McIntosh
  •  6 Jason Simpson
  • -- Tramain Thomas
  • 12 Mike Williams

Kickers

  • -- Jose Martinez
Injury Reserve
  • Currently vacant

Refused to report

  • -- Josue Paul WR

League Suspension

Other League Exempt

  •  4 Marcus Harris WR

Team Suspension

  • Currently vacant

Recallable reassignment

  • Currently vacant

Rookies in italics
Roster updated February 5, 2014
29 Active, 5 Inactive

More rosters

Retired uniform numbers

Iowa Barnstormers retired numbers
Player Position Seasons Ref.
13 Kurt Warner QB 1995-1997 [6]

Arena Football League Hall of Famers

Iowa Barnstormers Hall of Famers
No. Name Year Inducted Position(s) Years w/ Barnstormers
-- Jim Foster 1998 Owner 1995-2001
-- Mike Hohensee 2012 Head Coach 2012-present
-- Jon Roehlk 1999 OL/DL 1995-1996
13 Kurt Warner 2002 QB 1995-1997

All-Arena players

The following Barnstormers players have been named to All-Arena Teams:

Offensive Player of the Year Awards winners

Barnstormers players who have been named the AFL Offensive Player of the Year:

Notable coaches

Head coaches

As of June 29, 2011

John GregoryArt HaegeEarle BruceJ. T. SmithMike Hohensee
Name Term Regular season Playoffs Achievements Reference
GC W L T Win% GC W L
Iowa Barnstormers
19952000 82 55 27 0 .671 11 6 5 [7]
2001 6 2 4 0 .333 0 0 0 [7]
2001 10 7 3 0 .700 0 0 0 [7]
John Gregory 2008–2011 57 27 30 0 .474 1 0 1 [7]
2011 5 1 4 0 .200 0 0 0 [7]
2012-present 18 7 11 0 .389 0 0 0

Staff

Iowa Barnstormers staff
Front Office
  • Principal / Owner - Jeff Lamberti
  • Owner / General Manager - John Pettit
  • Owner - Don Lamberti
  • Honorary Owner - Ben Silverstein
  • Owner - David Silverstein
  • Owner - Scott Thurber
  • Owner - Dave Knau
  • Owner - Jim Gocke
  • Owner - Dan Stanbrough
  • Owner - Matt Strawn
  • Owner - Tom Nelson
  • Owner - Bob Chittenden
  • Owner - Brian Chittenden
  • Owner - Jeff Lipman
  • Owner - Charles Drucker
  • Owner - Dan Ochylski
  • Owner - David M. Greenspon
  • Owner - Don Dewaay
  • Owner - Gary Galinsky
  • Owner - Bill Hecht
  • Owner - Hon. Spencer Abraham
  • Owner - Jerry Staton
  • Owner - Mark Valente III
  • Owner - Michael Warren
  • Owner - Robert Pearson
  • Owner - Tim Hecht
  • Owner - Tom Carlstrom
  • Owner - Tony Antone
  • Owner - William McGuinn
 

Head Coach

Offensive Coaches

Defensive Coaches

  • Defensive Coordinator – Ernesto Pursley

Special Teams Coaches

Season-by-season records

References

  1. Richard Sandomir (May 1, 2001). "PRO FOOTBALL; To Live Another Day in the Arena League". The New York Times. Retrieved July 1, 2013. 
  2. Witosky, Tom (2007-09-20). "Barnstormers revived as af2 team". The Des Moines Register. 
  3. Official Team Press Release: Barnstormers Back Where We Belong!
  4. MJD (May 28, 2008). "8th Coolest Helmet in History: Iowa Barnstormers, '95-Present". www.sports.yahoo.com. Yahoo!. Retrieved July 1, 2013. 
  5. "NEW LOOK: Barnstormers Reveal New Uniforms". www.whotv.com. NBC. February 26, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2013. 
  6. Sean Leahy (May 17, 2010). "Kurt Warner's jersey to be retired ... by the AFL's Iowa Barnstormers". www.usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved June 28, 2013. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "John Gregory Iowa Barnstormers profile". Iowa Barnstormers. Retrieved 2009-06-27. 

External links

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