It currently has 10 teams with the Panthers in their second season. 4,991. 1 talking about this. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. But experience pays off. Douglas Park was also the home of the minor league baseball Rock Island Islanders during the Independents era. The 5k, 3.1 mile Hunger Walk benefits pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in Cook County that are members of the Greater Chicago Food Depositorys network. In 2010, the Roscoe Rush will return to the MSFL, and the MSFL will welcome the legendary Racine Raiders into their fold, forming a cross-town rivalry with the defending MSFL champions Racine Threat. Many of the players from the 1910 team reunited in 1912 and, under Coach John Roche, the Independents won eight games without giving up a score. We have made arrangements for gifts that need to be picked up as well. Discover top travel stories and even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois with our free magazine. 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. 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. The MSFL added the Cook County Jaguars to fill in the lineup; however, it was the Chicago Lawmen who came away with the MSFL title that year, defeating the Cook County Punishers 9-0. However, it was the Detroit Seminoles who got their third straight MSFL crown and perfect season, with this championship being over the Punishers by a score of 27-7. After the troubles of the preceding season, the MSFL rebounded in 2002. On a recent Saturday, the Force played a 7 p.m. home game at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park. He was arrested after crashing the car. [18] On June 24, 1922, the APFA changed its name to the National Football League (NFL). 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. Myles has used Carlinville as his base of activities and said if all goes well this season, the operation could move to Alton. But it was some path getting here. I had been wanting to get to a larger city., Myles, the owner as well as head coach, said the team is my baby., I created it and paid for it, he said. In January 1981, on the day before the Super Bowl, the AFA held its first All Star game with 100 semi-pro players in New Orleans. They joined the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball in 2018, with a vision of the best ballpark experience in America. The name isnt canine in nature its named after the famous Chicago street food. That left Peoria without a professional hockey team. 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. Hall of Fame MEDIA CENTER MARKETPLACE CONTACT Join the AFA Mailing List Email: MENU HOME ABOUT THE AFAABOUT THE AFA [8], From their inception until their last season, the Independents played at Douglas Park in Rock Island, Illinois, from 19071925. This act marked the first and only time an owner hired a new coach in the middle of a game. Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois. Lost to Chicago Bears 60. Cubs Park (Wrigley Field) 5,600. After the formation of the league, Flanigan was named to the committee that created the league's constitution. While newer to the area, the team has already begun building a strong following and family-friendly atmosphere at their games. "You got the No. Its something we have wanted to emphasize, that the turf field can be used for a variety of sports and activities.. A worker for the company which installed two new artificial turf fields at Altons Gordon Moore Park, staples the new turf down on the end of Field 3, a combination football/soccer field. Mid-States football league - 2010 Standings, List of Washington Redskins starting quarterbacks, List of Baltimore Ravens starting quarterbacks. The other 10 are: 3 executives, 2 coaches, 2 pioneers, 1 official, 1 trainer, and 1 media person. These new players would help improve play and help secure the team an invitation to join the NFL. They hosted what has been retrospectively designated the first National Football League game on September 26, 1920 at Douglas Park. In 1923, Flanigan sold the Independents to Dale Johnson, a local businessman. Myles said the Cougars have drawn crowds as large as 400 to 500 for their games. ALTON The location is different, but the Central Illinois Cougars semi-pro football team's goal of reaching their league championship game remains the same. The post goes on to allege the league doesn't support its teams, coaches, players and game day staffers. Sports editor Pete Hayes is a 43-year journalist. See them play at BMO Harris Bank Center, Rockford, The Peoria Rivermen were born out of a true love for hockey in their hometown. Every player is issued a playbook, and each week the coaching staff gives them packets of new plays for upcoming games and handouts on the formations and tendencies of opponents. The Illinois Cowboys website will be maintained weekly, Weekly updates will include scores, statistics, stories, biographies, videos, and team transactions. The independent team had no athletic club affiliation, no social club ties and no corporate company backing or sponsorship. The AFL did not pay as much as the NFL did a year prior and Independents players left the team for bigger salaries with other NFL teams. Dale Johnson then owned the team from 1924 until it folded, along with the rest of the American Football League in 1926. Fill out an application today. We will be collecting lightly worn coats, new coats, and new TOYS for 8-14 ages. They have been ordered, Haynes said. This is a carousel. "We have improved in team speed across the board, but they need more time playing together to build that knowledge of the system and playing along side each other," Myles said. " A running back during his playing days, Myles played junior College football in Mississippi and went in the former USFLs draft to the Tampa Bay Bandits. 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. "I don't tell them that they can't play, unless it is a head injury, something serious that I notice and that they need to get to the hospital for," she explained. Search for Quick Approved Loans - Get One Now! He joined The Telegraph in Alton in 1982. And VonHolt, their head coach, runs the rental department for a forklift company. "I've never been OK with a loss," Myles said, "but we saw so many positive things about this group of men.". ATLANTA, GA-- The United Football League (UFL) is pleased to announce an annual semi-professional football player selection draft to be held annually each fall. The Cougars' first home game is set for May 14 at 7 p.m. against the Iowa Warhawks and Gordon Moore Park. December 14, 1924. On August 20, 1920 an initial meeting was held by representatives of the Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Tigers, and Dayton Triangles. Try 7 Days Free to get access to 836 million+ pages, Search the Largest Online Newspaper Archive. For the latest news and information, please continue to visit uflfootball.com. Find out what's on in Illinois and Chicago with your guide to events, festivals, markets, music, theater, sports and more. ALTON - The Central Illinois Cougars, a semi-professional football team since 1999, announced today in a press event at Gordon Moore Park it will play its home games at Gordon Moore Park in 2021. 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. 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. In early July, the team began practicing three times a week in pads at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills and, when daylight began to dwindle in September, moved its practices to the lighted Mt. Beginning in September, the AFA issues a weekly ranking of the top 20 semi-pro teams in the nation, and this season the Force started in 13th place. For information on the playoffs or the Force, phone 312-445-2947. Team officials expect the final league schedule to be complete soon. STERNAMAN ALSO TALLIES Second Touchdown Follows Star's Sprint in Last Period -- Quarter Makes 11 Points", "History of Professional Football and Stadium Sports in Tampa, Florida", "mcubed.net: NCAAF Football: Series records: Illinois vs. Iowa", "EXCHANGE: Rock Island game recalls early days of NFL", "Wharton Field House Home Wharton Field House / Browning Field Moline-Coal Valley School District No. The names, logos, and other source identifying features of newspapers depicted in our database are the trademarks of their respective owners, and our use of newspaper content in the public domain or by private agreement does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement from, the publishers of the newspaper titles that appear on our site. "My main goal is to win a semi-pro national championship," said Kurt Baldyga, 28, of Crestwood, the Force's place kicker for eight years and a graduate of Marist High School in Chicago. As they do, Sharon Klepser, trainer for the Force for five years, helps players with pregame taping and fills their requests, such as for aspirin. Semi-pro football is a non-professional category of football. But we as a coaching staff are very excited about this season and believe we will be there battling for a playoff spot our first year in this league.". The $4,500 to $5,000 fee is due by the opening game. "You got the game you wanted at the start of the season," he says. The two teams played again on November 18 and Rock Island lost again, 337, in the second game in front of 4,500 fans. And yes, the name is indeed a reference to that famous Joliet landmark.See them play at Joliet Route 66 Stadium, Joliet. 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. 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. 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. [8], The National Football League was formed over the course of two meetings in 1920. "With the new guys, we needed every minute for practices getting prepared for the season. "I still want to compete and feel I can compete and hopefully something good can come of this, maybe arena ball or CFL," said the Force's 27-year-old quarterback, who played that position for Argo High School in Summit and the College of St. Francis in Joliet. A member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) group and Formula SAE IIT team. Players with the required semi-pro playing experience must register for entry by visiting uflfootball.com/semipro and completing a registration form. The Kane County Cougars started life as the Wausau Timbers, based in Wisconsin. ", In 1926, the Independents left the NFL to become a charter member of the first American Football League, the only NFL team to do so. November 29, 1925. See them play at Boomers Stadium, Schaumburg. The Eagles run out the clock, improving their record to 3-0. 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.". The Central Illinois Cougars, lined up at right, taking on the Missouri Cyclones Saturday at Summit High School. They took over from the former Joliet JackHammers back in 2011, and since then have won two Frontier League championships. "We want to make sure the product we put on the field for the fans is what they are going to see in the pro game," Huntington says. As a result, the Independents ended their season with a 261 record. Cowboys games will be a great opportunity for the community to gather and see professional caliber football for an affordable price. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, there were no games to be played on the two artificial turf fields, or anywhere else for that matter. "The stands were loaded behind us.". The Cowboys will maintain a professionally run organization from top to bottom. Workers were smoothing the concrete for the first section of parking lot and drive-through lane An East Alton man has been charged with four felonies related to gunfire on Tuesday night in Alton. Once Coughlin was safely on his way toward the sideline, Healey delivered a message to Jimmy Conzelman from Flanigan, it read: "Coughlin was fired! The game was between two top 20 teams, based on the AFA's preseason poll. The Quad City Storm is Illinois newest professional hockey team, starting up in the 2018-2019 season. October 4, 1925. They started out in the former North Central League as the Will County Claws, before joining the Heartland League as the Will County Cheetahs and then the Cook County Cheetahs. New players and a return to the CMFL meant extra preparation, according to Myles. They hosted what has been retrospectively designated the first National Football League game on September 26, 1920 at Douglas Park. In the past, semi-pro football has kicked off the careers of such stars as former Baltimore Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas and such coaches as former San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh. 2003 AFA SEMI-PRO ALL-AMERICAN TEAM (Click here for listing) FIRST TEAM AFA ALL-AMERICANS QB Jay Hawes Brooklyn Mariners RB Brian McGee Brooklyn Mariners RB Leroy McFadden Kane County Eagles WR Gabe Young Glens Falls Greenjackets WR Melvin Stewart Cleveland Lions TE Bo Wasurick St. Paul Pioneers OL Don Cornelius Cleveland Lions "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.". The Buffalo All-Americans, Chicago Tigers, Columbus Panhandles, and Detroit Heralds joined the league during the year. See them play at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark, Geneva. The Midway Marauders are part of the Indoor Football Association. In the first title game, the Twin Cities Cougars, based in Marysville and Yuba City, Calif., beat the Red Devils of Delavan, Wis. Walter Flanigan was the owner of the Independents 1915 to 1923. Games will provide more than just amazing football competition but also other entertainment such as performances, concessions, contests, and prize giveaways. Clipping found in Chicago Tribune in Chicago, Illinois on Jul 13, 1980. Their last league championship was om 2019. See them play at Sears Centre Arena, Hoffman Estates. Fans will be able to see the next up and coming athletes, as well as former High School and college stars. Fifty nine seasons would go by before another professional baseball team the Miners would take the field. The Chicago Union were founded in 2013 and compete in the Central Division of theAmerican Ultimate Disc League. The Illini Panthers said they were looking at other options for the organization. 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. [19][20], On October 16, 1921, the Independents battled back from a 70 deficit against the Chicago Cardinals to lead 147 in the second quarter. For 2007, the MSFL welcomed the Racine Threat and Northern Illinois Cowboys. After finishing fourth in 1920, their best overall finish in the National Football League standings was fifth, which they accomplished three times: in 1921 and 1922 under Jimmy Conzelman, and in 1924 under Johnny Armstrong.[8]. ", The club wrote it felt that families, supporters and the team players were "left out to dry for what we believe was an intentional mistake.". The Independents were founded in 1907 by Demetrius Clements as an independent football club. I had put that in the back of my mind. Johnson felt that the American Football League, which featured Red Grange, would out-perform the NFL. 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