INDIANA FOOTBALL LEAGUE HISTORY
What is the IFL?
The IFL is an Action PC football league with continuous ownership and player retention. The league currently contains 24 teams and has an American Conference and a National Conference. The leagues are divided into three divisions with four teams per division. Games will be played face to face via the Internet. The IFL was founded on December 8, 2004 and is embarking on its inaugural season in the fall of 2005!
How the IFL Began:
As the baseball off-season approached with my team not qualifying for the playoffs for the first time, I had extra time on my hands. All members of the IFL owe the IBL owners a big thanks because a basketball league was my first thought. I know, "What in the hell was I thinking?" Bob Wall (Boston Redskins) was the first to suggest a football league.
After looking into to it more closely, I decided football would be a great idea. I've always loved the sport and Colts games are a holiday in my family. Despite being from the hardwood state, I've always loved watching the gridiron sport. I quickly decided that Strat football was not going to be an option and rediscovered Action PC football.
This is the second league I've started and I followed a very similar format. I did have a head start with several members of my baseball league jumping on board. This gave a solid background of guys I knew were quality people and I began the hunt for the rest of the league members.
I started by contacting every Action Football commissioner that I could find a listing for on the web. Many were very helpful offering me great advice on starting a league. William Blandford, an IBL owner who joined the IFL, also provided great insight. At that point, I started a mass marketing campaign for the league. I joined and posted on the Action Forum and also sent emails to the Yahoo group. Again, I contacted league commissioners with a message about the IFL. It took off and we quickly filled out 24 spots and added quality backup owners as well.
At this point in the league's growth process, we've put together a constitution, started a website and message board, and have a league newsletter. I am looking forward to matching my wits in a new league experience and helping to shape a great league. My friendships from the IBL are cherished and I look forward to gaining new friends in this league.
One final word about the start of our league. The name Indiana Football League does not appear to be appropriate with just 1/12 of our members from the Hoosier State. The members who came from the Indiana Baseball League ( IBL) decided it would be a fitting tribute to our baseball league to pattern our name after IBL. The IBL got its name because it is the state in which I was born and raised. I having moved from Bloomington to Indy and will always have an Indiana home.