Omaha Beef

Omaha Beef
Founded 1999
League IPFL (2000–2001)
NIFL (2002–2004)
UIF (2005–2008)
IFL (2009–2012)
CPIFL (2013–2014)
CIF (2015–)
Based in Omaha, Nebraska
Arena Omaha Civic Auditorium
(1999–2012)
Ralston Arena (2013–)
Colors Black, Orange, White
              
Owner(s) Rich Tokheim
Jim Tokheim
Head coach Cory Ross
Championships 0
Division titles 2: (IPFL: 2001 NIFL: 2003)
Playoff berths 13: (IPFL: 2000, 2001 NIFL: 2002, 2003, 2004, UIF: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 IFL: 2009, 2010, 2011 CPIFL: 2013)
Dancers Prime
Mascot Sir Loin

The Omaha Beef are a professional indoor football team which is a charter member of the Champions Indoor Football. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, the Beef play their home games at the Ralston Arena in nearby Ralston. The team now classifies themselves as semi-pro. [1]

History

Omaha originally played in the Indoor Professional Football League in 2000 and 2001 as an expansion team before moving to the National Indoor Football League (NIFL) in 2002. The Beef then joined the newly formed United Indoor Football (UIF) in 2005 as a charter member. In 2008, the UIF merged with the Intense Football League to create the Indoor Football League.

Omaha had some very heated battles in their time together with the Sioux City Bandits (now a member of the Champions Indoor Football) and Sioux Falls since the NIFL. The three cities have shown that they value the I-29 rivalries that exist in that they have followed one another through multiple leagues to stay in competition. A new rivalry developed when the IFL expanded to Grand Island, NE in 2011 and the Nebraska Danger was formed. That was the I-80 rivalry and both teams played intense games during the 2011 & 2012 seasons. Sioux Falls and Nebraska stayed in the IFL (Indoor Football League) when the Beef moved to the CPIFL before the 2013 season.

The Beef organization have the only male dance team, the Rumproasters, along with a female dance team, the Prime dancers. The Rumproasters, men of all different sizes, have been with the team since its inception. The Rumproasters perform routines from Grease all the way to hip hop, making them the Max Patkin of the organization. The Rumproasters are also considered the ambassadors of the organization due to such commitment and charitable events they participate in.

The Prime dancers have won several awards including the best dance team three times in the UIF and 2009 dance team of the year in the IFL. They are ambassadors for the Beef organization as well and perform in conjunction with the Rumproasters including a routine for the last regular-season home game which can include ballroom dancing. The Prime were named Dance team of the Year once again for 2012.

The mascot for the Beef is an Angus bull named Sir Loin. He won mascot of the year three times in UIF and was named 2009 mascot of the year in the IFL and is a fan favorite. He was named Mascot of the Year for 2011 and again in 2012.

The Omaha Beef worked in the past in partnership with Omaha's ESPN Radio, 1620 AM, along with their sister station KKAR 1290. For two years, the majority of play-by-play commentary was conducted by Nick Handley, with color mixed in from Unsportsmanlike Conduct's Mike'l Severe. Late in the 2007 season, aspiring broadcaster Matt SantaMaria helped shoulder the load over a six-week run that including Omaha's 43–40 win at Colorado and their eventual playoff loss at Billings, 62–27. Matt SantaMaria won best radio play-by-play award in the UIF for 2008. Over the last few years, the Beef have not been broadcast on any local radio stations.

Starting in 2008, the Omaha Beef away games could be watched at Indigo Joe's Sports Pub and Restaurant, formerly located at 7425 Dodge Street in Omaha. The games were broadcast via the Internet by B2 Networks and b.IT Consulting and displayed on monitors around the restaurant. For 2012 the viewing parties were at Goldeez's Sports bar and Lounge through AmericaONE.

In 2009–2011 the organization went through several general manager and head coaching changes. Despite those changes, the team finished in the top tier of the league. In 2009, James Kerwin was head coach of the Beef and led the team to a 12-2 record and to the second round of the IFL playoffs. The Beef continued their consecutive playoff qualification streak, which ended after 14 years when the Beef failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2014.

The organization entered their thirteenth year of existence and fourth year as a member of the IFL in 2012. Despite constant changes within the league of expansion and contraction, the Beef were a constant and competitive member. 2012 saw the addition of new GM Josh Roehr from the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League (UFL) and the hiring of Bruce Cowdrey as head coach. Neither lasted a full season. As the rest of the 2012 season unfolded, the ownership of the team was then taken over by the IFL due to the actual owner not paying the fees associated with being a member. The head coach was let go, the GM left for new employment, and several other changes to cut costs. Despite this, Andy Yost and James Kerwin took over as co-head coaches and the Beef qualified for the playoffs with some key wins, but due to the financial situation the team was in, they were told they were not going to be in the playoffs. This resulted in the ending of a 12-year playoff appearance streak. The Prime Dancers and Sir Loin (mascot) won league awards.

The Omaha Beef were not included on the 2013 IFL schedule released on October 22, 2012. Their position in the United Conference was taken by the Texas Revolution being realigned from the Intense Conference.[2] This was due to negotiations with the possible sale of the team or a new replacement team taking over the Beef's position. There were discussions that the team might change leagues and move into the Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL). As of December 2012 the Omaha Beef was accepted by the CPIFL to begin play in March 2013.

In December 2012, the Omaha Beef were bought by Cornhusker Beef, Inc. On December 6, 2012, the Beef announced the new ownership group composing of Rich Tokhiem, Gerard Daly and Jim Tokhiem. As of early 2013, the new ownership group made up of brothers Rich Tokheim and Jim Tokheim began administering the day-to-day operations of the Omaha Beef franchise, which was entering its 14th season of competition.[3]

In their first season in the Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL), the Beef hired Andy Yost as head coach, who had finished the previous season as interim co-head coach. Yost led the Beef to a 10-2 record and qualified for the playoffs as they finished second, in a three way tie (Sioux City(1), Wichita(3)) in the league. Despite a valiant effort the Beef fell to Wichita in the 1st round 31-25 continuing the streak of no championships.

After leading the team to the playoffs in 2013, in an unexplained move, Yost moved from head coach to quarterback coach for the 2014 season. The Beef hired Steve Heimann as head coach. Heimann coached the Beef to a win in their 2014 exhibition game and the resigned before coaching a regular season game. The Beef promoted defensive coordinator Dan Thurin to head coach. The Beef finished with an all-time franchise worst record of 4-8. On November 20, 2014, Thurin resigned his position via Facebook, citing "lack of payment and extremely hostile and unprofessional working environment."

On January 7, 2015, the Beef announced that Cory Ross would be the head coach for the 2015 season. Ross previously coached the Lincoln Haymakers of the CPIFL, who were also owned by Beef owner Rich Tokhiem, who ceased operations after the 2014 season.

In 2015 the Beef will play in Champions Indoor Football (CIF), the merger product of the CPIFL and Lone Star Football League (LSFL).

Omaha opened the 2015 with their worst start in franchise history by beginning 0-5. Defensive Coordinator Demetrius Ross indicated in a story on 4-1-15 that the Beef's poor start was in part due to preparations beginning in January instead of October and that the coaches did not get to select the players that they wanted. "We started late – we’re used to starting in October and we started in January – we didn’t get the opportunity to go out and handpick our roster with a philosophy, so that’s been our biggest challenge as coaches this year. Figuring out a way to maximize the talent we have and put them in the best situation possible."[4]

Season-by-season

Season W L T Finish Playoff results
Omaha Beef (IPFL)
2000 8 8 0 3rd League Lost Semifinal (Mississippi)
2001 15 1 0 1st League Lost IPFL Championship (Tennessee ThunderCats)
Omaha Beef (NIFL)
2002 9 5 0 2nd Pacific Northern Lost Round 1 (Bismarck)
2003 11 3 0 1st Pacific Northern Won Round 1 (Bismarck)
Lost Semifinal (Utah)
2004 9 5 0 2nd Pacific Northern Won PC Round 1 (Sioux City)
Lost PC Semifinal (Billings)
Omaha Beef (UIF)
2005 9 6 0 2nd North Lost Round 1 (Sioux Falls)
2006 8 7 0 2nd West Lost Round 1 (Evansville)
2007 8 7 0 3rd West Lost Round 1 (Billings)
2008 10 4 0 3rd West Lost Round 1 (Billings)
Omaha Beef (IFL)
2009 12 2 0 1st United Central Lost Divisionals II (Wichita)
2010 9 5 0 3rd Central West Lost Round 1 (Sioux Falls)
2011 9 5 0 2nd Great Plains Won Round 1 (Bloomington)
Lost Conference Semi-Final (Sioux Falls)
2012 6 8 0 5th United Made playoffs but due to financial reasons league left them out
Omaha Beef (CPIFL)
2013 10 2 0 2nd League Lost Round 1 (Wichita)
2014 4 8 0 8th League --
Totals 138 85 0 (including playoffs)

Notable players

Current roster

Omaha Beef roster
Quarterbacks
  • 1/11/24 Tyrell Haughton
  • 7/11 Chuck Wright


Running Backs

Wide Receivers

  • 11/82 Brian Boro
  • 14 Kevin Fuller
  • 17 Brandon Kinnie
  •  4 Rich Rashad
Offensive Linemen
  • 65 Anthony Harper
  • 97 Patrick Harrington
  • 41 Julius Nero

Defensive Linemen

  • 99 Clinton Barley
  •  2 Davon Bridges
  • 71 James Davis
  • 93 DeMichael McWilliams
  • 21/41 Brandon Moton
  •  5 James Patterson
Linebackers
  •  9 Jesse Robertson
  • 18 Steven Rush

Defensive Backs

  • 10 Antonio Bell
  • 32 Shane Covington
  • 15 A. J. Downs
  • 3/22 Michael Pace
  • 22 Alsid Panteau
  •  8 Marques Rolle

Kickers

  • 13 Todd Adolf
Injured Reserve
  • Currently vacant

Transfer List

  • Currently vacant

Refuse to Report

  • Currently vacant

Roster updated April 24, 2015
25 Active, 0 Inactive

→ More rosters

Awards and honors

The following is a list of all Beef players who have won league Awards

Season Player Position Award
2010 Ben Sankey Quarterback Offensive Player of the Year
2012 Peter Buck Linebacker Defensive Rookie of the Year

Past seasons

2000 Omaha Beef IPFL schedule

Week 1 – Omaha Beef 26, Idaho Stallions 12

Week 2 – Shreveport-Bossier Bombers 44, Omaha Beef 39

Week 3 – Portland Prowlers 43, Omaha Beef 23

Week 4 – Omaha Beef 38, Idaho Stallions 33

Week 5 – bye

Week 6 – Omaha Beef 39, Mobile Seagulls 36

Week 7 – Louisiana Rangers 40, Omaha Beef 33

Week 8 – Omaha Beef 28, Shreveport-Bossier Bombers 6

Week 9 – bye

Week 10 – Portland Prowlers 34, Omaha Beef 30

Week 11 – Portland Prowlers 67, Omaha Beef 54

Week 12 – bye

Week 13 – Mississippi Fire Dogs 49, Omaha Beef 46

Week 14 – Omaha Beef 54, Idaho Stallions 47

Week 15 – Omaha Beef 59, Idaho Stallions 39

Week 16 – Omaha Beef 57, Mobile Seagulls 44

Week 17 – Louisiana Rangers 35, Omaha Beef 27

Week 18 – Portland Prowlers 40, Omaha Beef 26

Week 19 – Omaha Beef 44, Mississippi Fire Dogs 38

Semifinals – Mississippi Fire Dogs 43, Omaha Beef 40

2001 Omaha Beef IPFL schedule

Week 1 – St. Louis Renegades 44, at Omaha Beef 61

Week 2 – bye

Week 3 – Omaha Beef 51, at Trenton Lightning 41

Week 4 – Boise Stallions 27, at Omaha Beef 56

Week 5 – Omaha Beef 55, at St. Louis Renegades 47

Week 6 – bye

Week 7 – Omaha Beef 57, at Boise Stallions 34

Week 8 – Tennessee ThunderCats 50, at Omaha Beef 72

Week 9 – Omaha Beef 49, at Boise Stallions 45

Week 10 – Tennessee ThunderCats 29, at Omaha Beef 56

Week 11 – Omaha Beef 54, at Tennessee ThunderCats 32

Week 12 – St. Louis Renegades 42, at Omaha Beef 53

Week 13 – Omaha Beef 34, at Tennessee ThunderCats 61

Week 14 – Omaha Beef 35, at Boise Stallions 9

Week 15 – Boise Stallions 19, at Omaha Beef 58

Week 16 – Omaha Beef 76, at St. Louis Renegades 37

Week 17 – bye

Week 18 – Omaha Beef 50, at St. Louis Renegades 33

Week 19 – Boise Stallions 18, at Omaha Beef 79

IPFL Championship – Tennessee ThunderCats 47, Omaha Beef 38

2010 final standings

2010 Central West Division
W L T PCT GB DIV PF PA STK
y-Sioux Falls Storm 11 3 0 0.786 --- 9-2 665 524 W1
x-Wichita Wild 9 5 0 0.643 2.0 7-4 639 522 L1
x-Omaha Beef 9 5 0 0.643 2.0 6-4 497 435 W2
Sioux City Bandits 4 10 0 0.286 7.0 3-9 539 726 L6
Colorado Ice 2 12 0 0.143 9.0 1-7 531 684 L3

2011

Preseason

Week Date Kickoff Opponent Results
Final Score Team Record
February 20 (Sun) Saint Charles Cyclones W 66–0 ---

Regular season

Week Date Kickoff Opponent Results
Final Score Team Record
1 February 26 (Sat) 7:05pm @Chicago Slaughter W 39–36 1–0
2 Bye
3 March 12 (Sat) 7:05pm La Crosse Spartans W 40–20 2–0
4 Bye
5 March 25 (Fri) 7:05pm Tri-Cities Fever L 37–51 2–1
6 April 3 (Sun) 2:05pm @Sioux Falls Storm L 38–48 2–2
7 April 9 (Sat) 7:05pm Wichita Wild W 36–24 3–2
8 April 16 (Sat) 7:11pm @West Texas Roughnecks L 16–39 3–3
9 April 23 (Sat) 7:05pm Nebraska Danger W 46–37 4–3
10 April 30 (Sat) 7:05pm Wyoming Cavalry W 68–24 5–3
11 May 6 (Fri) 7:05pm
(9:05 Central)		 @Seattle Timberwolves L 50–52 5–4
12 May 14 (Sat) 7:05pm @Wichita Wild W 48–44 6–4
13 May 21 (Sat) 7:05pm Chicago Slaughter W 48–29 7–4
14 May 28 (Sat) 7:05pm @Nebraska Danger W 75–41 8–4
15 June 3 (Fri) 7:05pm
(8:05 Central)		 @Wyoming Cavalry L 33–41 8–5
16 June 11 (Sat) 7:05pm Sioux Falls Storm W 41–37 9–5
Playoffs
1 June 18 (Sat) 7:00pm Bloomington Extreme W 39–34 ---
2 June 25 (Sat) 7:05pm @Sioux Falls Storm L 39–52 ---

Division Standings

2011 Great Plains Division
W L T PCT PF PA DIV GB STK
y Sioux Falls Storm 13 1 0 0.929 1022 457 5-1 --- L1
x Omaha Beef 9 5 0 0.643 615 523 5-1 4.0 W1
Wichita Wild 6 8 0 0.429 571 618 1-5 7.0 W2
Nebraska Danger 3 11 0 0.214 617 788 1-5 10.0 L8

2013

Season Schedule

Week Date Kickoff Opponent Results
Final Score Team Record
1 Bye
2 March 17 (Sun) 2:00pm @Kansas City Renegades W 38-27 1-0
3 Bye
4 March 29 (Fri) 7:30pm Kansas Koyotes W 54-27 2-0
5 April 7 (Sun) 7:30pm Sioux City Bandits W 32-26 3-0
6 April 13 (Sat) 7:05pm @Lincoln Haymakers W 55-49 4-0
7 April 20 (Sat) 7:05pm @Wichita Wild L 17-29 4-1
8 April 27 (Sat) 7:05pm @Sioux City Bandits W 38-24 5-1
9 May 5 (Sun) 7:30pm Mid-Missouri Outlaws W 68-13 6-1
10 May 11 (Sat) 7:30pm Lincoln Haymakers W 27-23 7-1
11 May 17 (Fri) 7:05pm @Bloomington Edge W 51-33 8-1
12 May 24 (Sat) 4:30pm Oklahoma Defenders W 59-21 9-1
13 June 1 (Sat) 7:05pm @Lincoln Haymakers W 34-24 10-1
14 June 7 (Fri) 7:30pm Kansas City Renegades L 27-42 10-2
Playoffs
1 June 14 (Fri) 7:00pm Wichita Wild L 25–31 10-3

2014

Season Schedule

Week Date Kickoff Opponent Results
Final Score Team Record
1 March 02 (Sun) 3:00pm Dodge City Law L 35–61 0-1
2 March 09 (Sun) 3:00pm Kansas Koyotes W 55–27 [5] 1–1
3 Bye
4 March 22 (Sat) 7:05pm Lincoln Haymakers L 20–59 1–2
5 March 29 (Sun) 7:05pm @Bloomington Edge W 70–69 2–2
6 April 05 (Sat) 7:05pm @Kansas Koyotes W 52–30 [6] 3–2
7 April 11 (Sat) 7:05pm Sioux City Bandits L 55–61 3–3
8 April 19 (Sat) 7:05pm Wichita Wild L 33–66 3–4
9 Bye
10 May 3 (Sat) 7:05pm @Dodge City Law L 20–60 [7] 3–5
11 May 10 (Sat) 7:05pm @Sioux City Bandits L 47-61 3-6
12 May 16 (Fri) 7:05pm @Lincoln Haymakers L 56-67 3-7
13 May 24 (Sat) 7:05pm Bloomington Edge W 80-69 4-7
14 May 31 (Sat) 7:05pm @Salina Bombers L 43-50 4-8
15 Bye

2015

Season Schedule

Week Date Kickoff Opponent Results
Final Score Team Record
1 Feb 28 (Sat) 7:05pm @Sioux City Bandits L 13-62[8] 0-1
2 March 06 (Fri) 7:00pm Wichita Force L 42-45 0-2
3 March 14 (Sat) 7:00pm Salina Bombers L 33-47[9] 0-3
4 Bye
5 March 28 (Sat) 7:05pm @Salina Bombers L 7-49[10] 0-4
6 April 03 (Fri) 7:05pm @Wichita Force L 42-59[11] 0-5
7 April 10 (Fri) 7:00pm Sioux City Bandits W 43-41[12] 1-5
8 April 18 (Sat) 7:05pm @Dodge City Law L 45-69[13] 1-6
9 April 24 (Fri) 7:00pm Sioux City Bandits L 37-61[14] 1-7
10 Bye
11 May 9 (Sat) 7:05pm @Salina Bombers
12 May 16 (Sat) 7:05pm @Sioux City Bandits
13 May 22 (Fri) 7:00pm Dodge City Law
14 May 30 (Sat) 7:00pm Wichita Force

References

  1. ↑ http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4923869
  2. ↑ "2013 IFL Schedule Announced". Indoor Football League. October 22, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  3. ↑ http://www.beeffootball.com/new-ownership-and-new-league/
  4. ↑ http://www.beeffootball.com/know-your-beef-defensive-coordinator-demetrius-ross/
  5. ↑ Peterson, Jr., Rick (March 22, 2014). "Koyotes set for home opener against Salina". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Archived from the original on April 28, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  6. ↑ Peterson, Jr., Rick (April 6, 2014). "Koyotes drop to 0-4 with loss to Omaha Beef". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Archived from the original on April 28, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Law shreds Beef again". Dodge City Daily Globe. May 3, 2014. Archived from the original on May 5, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
  8. ↑ http://siouxcityjournal.com/sports/football/bandits-have-smashing-season-debut/article_4cafc070-9777-53ea-877f-8b55fbd8906f.html
  9. ↑ http://www.salina.com/sports/local/bombers-barbecue-beef/article_37e0de44-ded9-5480-a2f2-68d2549f6a59.html
  10. ↑ http://www.salina.com/sports/local/bombers-blitz-omaha/article_dbeee8ed-5265-5180-ba9f-eff8ad7d937e.html
  11. ↑ http://www.kansas.com/sports/other-sports/wichita-force/article17373884.html
  12. ↑ http://www.omaha.com/sports/brandon-kinnie-s-td-catch-as-time-expires-lifts-beef/article_6c1bd03e-dffd-11e4-888d-a76815fe8cc9.html
  13. ↑ http://www.dodgeglobe.com/article/20150419/SPORTS/150419353/2000/NEWS
  14. ↑ http://siouxcityjournal.com/sports/football/bandits-pick-up-first-road-win-of-season/article_25066441-5e06-5f51-b83f-a2e2f283fcb8.html

External links