He supplies some equipment, such as tape and chin straps, and buys other equipment, such as uniforms, which he resells to players. The Force starts preparing for the season in June with tryouts and a conditioning camp for prospective and returning players. This is a stepping stone for us. Because of work and family obligations, he misses some of the team's two-hour practices, which since summer are held only twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Illinois minor leagues serve up top quality action every season. Their desire is to become a staple for the community, and they want to stay in Bloomington for a long time. Before their inauguaral season in 2010, owner Steve Malliet launched a naming contest for the team. Theyre an affiliate team of fellow Chicago-area hockey team, the NHLs Chicago Blackhawks. Having won back-to-back MFL titles, the Seminoles carried their success to the MSFL, capping the first perfect season in league history with a championship win over the Force of Illinois, 35-14. Local traveling will be done by player and coach carpools. The AFL folded after the season and the Independents were rejected in their attempt to rejoin the NFL. The former Peoria Rivermen were bought by the Vancouver Canucks in 2013 and moved to Utica, New York. Are you eager to get involved with our amazing semi-pro league football community in Rockford, IL? Offensive Coordinator Kevin Burage (773) 426-0221, Recruiter/Asst.GM. Myles has used Carlinville as his base of activities and said if all goes well this season, the operation could move to Alton. Theres a long lead-in time for big sets of bleachers.. 3 talking about this. The Cougars' first home game is set for May 14 at 7 p.m. against the Iowa Warhawks and Gordon Moore Park. The Independents then signed Elmer Layden, one of the Four Horsemen of Notre Dame for 1926. The majority of the players were in the employ of the Company. However, there have been soccer and football practices on them. On the national level, efforts to organize semi-pro football began in earnest in 1980, according to American Football Association president Ron Real of Chicago. Although the Roscoe Rush left the MSFL to compete in the Ironman Football League, 2006 saw two new teams join (the Mid-State Steel and the Lafayette Lions). The comeback was sparked by two touchdowns, scored by player-coach Frank Coughlin. See them play at Allstate Arena, Rosemont. "We have improved in team speed across the board," team owner and head coach Kinney Myles said," but they need more time playing together to build that knowledge of the system and playing along side each other.". Find out how to get to Illinois by plane, train, bus and driving. 40", "1926 Rock Island Independents - The Pro Football Archives", "The Pro Football Archives - Pro Football Statistics and History", Defunct National Football League franchises, Detroit Heralds/ Tigers/ Panthers/ Wolverines, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rock_Island_Independents&oldid=1138396991, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. But they said the fields would be torn up because they were installing artificial turf. Search for Quick Approved Loans - Get One Now! made an all-caps announcement that the team. Half of our players have been together for at least three years.". Because of the coronavirus pandemic, there were no games to be played on the two artificial turf fields, or anywhere else for that matter. We will provide the local community with a fabulous experience at all Cowboys home games. Tied Chicago Bears 33. The Cougars have made it to six league championship finals and have gone 3-3. The players are responsible for doing their homework and staying in shape, Baldyga said. In 1926, in what became their final year of existence, the Independents moved to Browning Field in neighboring Moline, Illinois. American football team in Rock Island, Illinois, Decatur Staleys/Chicago Staleys/Chicago Bears, American Professional Football Association, "NFL founded in Canton - Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site", "St. Paul Ideals at Rock Island Independents - September 26th, 1920", "Football Firsts - Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site", "1917 Minneapolis Marines - The Pro Football Archives", "1917 Rock Island Independents - The Pro Football Archives", Professional Football Researchers Association, "Sept. 17, 1920 -- The Founding of the NFL - Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site", "Football History - Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site", "Sept. 17, 1920 The Founding of the NFL", "1922 American Professional Football Association changes name to National Football League", "GRANGE'S LONG RUN BREAKS FLORIDA TIE; Dashes 70 Yards to Score on Tampa Cardinals -- Bears Win by 17 to 3. The Independents were a founding National Football League franchise. Games will provide more than just amazing football competition but also other entertainment such as performances, concessions, contests, and prize giveaways. November 18, 1923. Flanigan then challenged the Canton Bulldogs to a "championship" game, offering a $5,000 guarantee if they would come to Rock Island for the game. The Cougars, who call Gordon Moore Park home, feature a wealth of new players on their roster and have returned to the Central Midwest Football League/Fans, this season. The Cougars have won two Midwest League championships, sent 150 players to the Major Leagues, and in 2013 became the first Class A Minor League Baseball team to reach a lifetime fan attendance of 10 million. He joined The Telegraph in Alton in 1982. Pro Football Hall of Fame alumni Jimmy Conzelman (19201921), Joe Guyon (1924), Ed Healey (19201922), Duke Slater (1922-1926), and Jim Thorpe (19241925) played for the Independents. Lost to Green Bay Packers 020. The Central Illinois Cougars, lined up at right, taking on the Missouri Cyclones Saturday at Summit High School. Cowboys games will be a great opportunity for the community to gather and see professional caliber football for an affordable price. The Independents were a founding National Football League franchise. The UFL will host the first year of the UFL Semi-Pro Draft in Atlanta, Georgia. Gist-Holden was in financial trouble and couldn't pay the rent on his home in Gary or the hotel bill for his team's players to stay in Downers Grove, per the report. The Independents then folded along with the entire league in 1927.[1][2][3]. Like the Cougars, the Peoria Chiefs play in the Midwest League of Minor League Baseball. November 19, 1919. That's the dream of Tom Tomlinson of Westmont. Coached by Johnny Armstrong, the Independents played their first three games at Browning Field and then played the rest of their 1926 games as a traveling team. The Mid-State Steel and Indiana Titans returned from their respective hiatuses, with the Kankakee Plowmen joining the party. Sounds like the pros, except for the pay: nothing. The Quad City Storm is Illinois newest professional hockey team, starting up in the 2018-2019 season. The Illini Panthers play in the MidStates Football League (MSFL), an adult amateur football league in the Midwest that's based in Chicago. the Armco Associations of both cities, in the fall of 1924, to sponsor and develop semi-professional football teams. The Hunger Walk is a fun opportunity for all types of . They hosted what has been retrospectively designated the first National Football League game on September 26, 1920 at Douglas Park. Johnson felt that the American Football League, which featured Red Grange, would out-perform the NFL. Defeated Green Bay Packers 30. Three teams have won national semi-pro football championships under the MSFL banner; the Detroit Seminoles in 2002 and the Chicago Thunder in 2006 and 2008. Id say the oldest is probably around 30.. A new team is kicking off this year in the Bloomington-Normal area. The Force was 5-1 going into this weekend's action, which makes the team a likely part of the playoffs that begin Oct. 21. 4130 S Indiana Avenue. Hit up Santos Sports for all your pregame accessories tape,mouthpieces,gloves,belts,socks,etc. After leading a team prayer on the sidelines, VonHolt gives a brief pregame speech. But they if come out and see this league, this year and next year and on down the line, they will see a good quality league.". Defeated Moline Fans Association 570. 3,000. His father and Myles father are brothers. [9][10], A second and considerably larger meeting was held on September 17, 1920. Of the 30 new inductees 20 are former players. "I've never been OK with a loss," Myles said, "but we saw so many positive things about this group of men.". As u have seen in the passed the Illinois Cowboys semi-pro football team are a huge contributor against the fight against hunger , from the numerous hours volunteer work they have put in, both passed & present at Tabernacle Baptist Church. In 1923, Flanigan sold the Independents to Dale Johnson, a local businessman. We will bring in other competitive teams to help improve this tremendously fast growing league. Ursella brought several other Minneapolis players with him. The club began as the Peoria Suns back in 1983, but the name didnt stick for long by the next season they were playing under the current Chiefs name. Often, theyre the place where the big stars get their start so grab a ticket now to see a future star of the major leagues today! "We skipped preseason games this year," Myles said. New players and a return to the CMFL meant extra preparation, according to Myles. Haynes indicated that more bleachers are on the way to Gordon Moore Park. UNITED FOOTBALL league semi-pro registration Players interested in determining their Semi-Pro Draft status please review information below. And yes, the name is indeed a reference to that famous Joliet landmark.See them play at Joliet Route 66 Stadium, Joliet. The Force, which debuted in 1987, is the successor to the Orland Fury, a south suburban semi-pro team of the mid-1980s. I had put that in the back of my mind. 2005 saw the MSFL return with arguably the strongest team line-up in the Midwest. I have been a teacher at Pakuranga College in Auckland, New Zealand since January 2007. In addition, the Lansing Lightning moved to the Lakeshore Football League, the Indianapolis Warriors had previously announced their return only to drop out before the year's start, and the Dowagiac Dawgs and Milwaukee Avalanche both folded because of illness having struck both teams' owners. "We pick players who could go to the next step, that pro level," said Howard Huntington, 49, of Chicago, who has owned the Force since 1988 and who played football at Illinois State University. Nonetheless, they settled on the name Normal CornBelters, a reference to Normals prime location in the Corn Belt. After the game, VonHolt has mixed feelings as his team's record drops to 2-1. "Besides that, this is a chance to blow off steam and a good opportunity to see my buddies a couple of times a week.". Scout Mike McCartney said there are "plenty of guys who have played in the NFL this year alone" to fill the Bears' needs. Lost to Chicago Bears 73. "With the new guys, we needed every minute for practices getting prepared for the season. See them play at Standard Bank Stadium, Crestwood. Rock Island lost to the Marines by a score of 73 in front of over 6,400 fans at Douglas Park in the first game on November 4. 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