Fort Wayne Receives IPFL Team

by Press Release
January 13, 2000 - Indoor Professional Football League (IPFL)

IPFL Press Release

January 13, 2000 - Beware, the hunt is on! The Indoor Professional Football League (IPFL) is venturing into another new territory with the naming of its latest franchise. At a press conference on Thursday, the IPFL caravan announced that it would be traveling to Indiana with the addition of the Fort Wayne Safari.

Heading up the local expedition is the President of the Safari, Jay Leonard. "Fort Wayne is poised to welcome the IPFL and its captivating game of indoor football," Leonard said. "Played on a 50-yard field within a dasher-board confine, fans will receive an up close view of this fast-paced, up-tempo brand of football. All across the country the IPFL is quickly gaining attention, and the Safari is proud to be on board for the expanding journey."

"We are excited to announce that the Indoor Professional Football League has established a franchise in the second-largest city in the state of Indiana," said IPFL Commissioner Mike Storen. "Based in the tri-state region of Northeastern Indiana, South-central Michigan and Northwestern Ohio, Fort Wayne is centrally located between three of the greatest meccas in collegiate football - the University of Notre Dame, the University of Michigan and Ohio State University. Given that, as well as the terrific support the Indianapolis Colts have received, we anticipate nothing but good things for the Safari."

The Safari is preparing to make its home field, the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, a jungle for opposing IPFL teams. Plans are in the works for a $28 million expansion, which would add 24 luxury skyboxes and 2,500 new seats to the existing 8,003-seat facility. If the city's taxpayers approve the coliseum renovation project, Fort Wayne would wait to begin play after the expansion is complete, which would be the 2002 season.

"This is just another step in the Summit City's continued growth as an up and coming sports town," Safari Vice President Tony Richards said. "Already blessed with the Fury of the Continental Basketball Association, as well as minor league hockey (the Komets) and baseball (the Wizards), now professional football has been added to the slate."

For Fort Wayne Safari ticket information, call 1-877-637-WILD (9453).

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Indoor Professional Football League Stories from January 13, 2000

• Fort Wayne Receives IPFL Team - OSC Original by Press Release

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