Fort Wayne FireHawks

Fort Wayne FireHawks
Founded 2009
League Continental Indoor Football League
Team history Fort Wayne FireHawks (2010-)
Based in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Arena Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Colors Black, Red, White
              
Owner(s) Championship Sports Enterprises, LLC
President J. Michael Loomis
Head coach Vacant
General Manager J. Michael Loomis
Championships 0
Division titles 0
Cheerleaders Lady Hawks

The Fort Wayne FireHawks were a professional indoor football team based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The team joined the Continental Indoor Football League as an expansion team during the 2010 season. The FireHawks were the fourth attempt at indoor football in Fort Wayne after the original Fort Wayne Freedom (NIFL & UIF, 2003–06), Fort Wayne Fusion (af2, 2007), and the second Fort Wayne Freedom (CIFL, 2008–09). The Owner of the FireHawks was Championship Sports Enterprises LLC. The FireHawks played their home games at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

The team saw financial problems before the season had started, when Co-Owner and General Manager, John Christner, was unable to stay with the team. As a result, J. Michael Loomis became the sole owner and only principal of Championship Sports Enterprises, and attempted to filed an LLC. With Christner's departure, Loomis became general manager, handling day-to-day operations of the team. Following the 2010 season, Loomis attempted to find additional investors or buyers of the team, without success. The team sat out the 2011 season. Before the 2011 season ended, Loomis sought to reorganize the CIFL, but when those negotiations broke down, Loomis decided against rejoining the CIFL. There were media reports that the FireHawks, along with several members of the CIFL, were going to form the Stadius Football Association (SFA), to be based in Indianapolis. The new league did not materialize after two teams, Marion and Cincinnati, joined the United Indoor Football League almost as quickly as the press release was floated. Thereafter, the FireHawks did not attempt to re-join the CIFL, nor did it join another league.

Franchise history

2010

In November, 2009, the FireHawks were announced as the succession team to the Freedom.[1] Owners J. Michael Loomis and John Christner purchased the assets left from the Fort Wayne Freedom franchise who had played the two seasons before the FireHawks were announced.[1] Christner's first action as General Manager was naming former Freedom Head Coach, Willie Davis head coach.[2] On December 9, 2009, it was confirmed that Loomis and Christner would take over the entities that used to run the Freedom.[3] Before the season started, the team announced they had signed Katie Hnida as the team's placekicker. Hnida is best known for becoming the first woman to score a point in an NCAA football game and speaking out during the recruiting scandal at her first school, the University of Colorado.[4]

The FireHawks suffered a loss in their first game as a franchise April 2, 2010, a 55–27 loss to the Cincinnati Commandos.[5] During the game, the FireHawks also lost their quarterback, Adam Gibson, during the game, leaving the FireHawks searching for another quarterback before the next week.[6] The FireHawks earned their first victory April 10, 2010, 44-28 against the Miami Valley Silverbacks, as new quarterback, Kota Carone-Colors, paced the team with seven touchdown passes.[7] Throughout the season the team experienced many ups and downs, none lower than a 0-49 defeat at the hands of the Wisconsin Wolfpack.[8] Three weeks into the season, the FireHawks received a blow, when co-owner and general manager John Christner left the organization. Loomis became the sole owner and general manager.[9] The FireHawks' showed no effects from the front office problems, as the following week the team came out and defeated the Chicago Cardinals 69-45, but the team played without Hnida, as a blood clot on her foot put her out for the season.[10] The FireHawks got a quick chance at revenge against the Wolfpack, but they failed losing 32-33 as they couldn't score from the 1-yard line with seconds left, as backup quarterback, Mike Whitaker's pass sailed over the hands of Jermaine Woolfolk.[11] The FireHawks would win their next game against Miami Valley, 26-8.[12] During the week before the team's first game at the Marion Mayhem, Loomis stated that the team would continue to play despite its mounting financial struggles.[13] The Mayhem, who were having financial problems of their own, forced the FireHawks next game back to June 12.[14] The FireHawks would continue their season the following week against the undefeated Commandos, losing 49-46 after leading by 12 with 4:12 left in the game.[15] The team was scheduled to play the Mayhem the next week, but the franchise folded.[16] The folding of Marion credited the FireHawks with two forfeit wins.[17] Several Marion players were signed by Fort Wayne for the FireHawks' playoff run.[18] The FireHawks shutout the Chicago Cardinals 48-0.[19] The FireHawks finished 6–4 during the 2010 Continental Indoor Football League season, earning a third-seed in the playoffs.[20] In the only playoff game in team history, the FireHawks lost to the second-seeded Wisconsin 25–24.[21] According to the The Journal Gazette, former players say they are still owed from the 2010 season. Team owner Mike Loomis did not confirm or deny the reports in that article.[22] The team drew about 2,000 fans per game, according to CIFL stats. After the season, Loomis tried to sell the team,[23] but the chance of the team being sold was doubtful.[24]

2011

Loomis failed to find investors for the team after the 2010 season. In December 2010, owner J. Michael Loomis issued a statement saying that the team would not play in 2011, stopping short of suspending operations. Loomis did say he would try to regroup for 2012.[25][26] On June 30, 2011, press reports stated the FireHawks would be returning, in the newly formed Stadius Football Association.[27][28] The SFA never materialized and the teams named to the league have since joined other leagues.

Season-by-season

Season W L T Finish Playoff results
Fort Wayne FireHawks (CIFL)
2010 6 4 0 3rd Lost Semifinals (Wisconsin Wolfpack)
Totals 6 5 0 (including playoffs)

Notable coaches

Head coaches

Note: Statistics are correct through the end of the 2011 Continental Indoor Football League season.

Name Term Regular Season Playoffs Awards
W L T Win% W L
Willie Davis Jr. 2010 6 4 0 .600 0 1

Coaching staff

Fort Wayne FireHawks staff
Front Office
  • President/Owner – J. Michael Loomis

Head Coach

  • Head Coach: Vacant

Offensive Coaches

  • Offensive Line – Vacant
  

Defensive Coaches

  • Defensive Coordinator – Vacant
  • Defensive Line – Vacant
  • Linebackers/Secondary – Vacant

Special Teams Coaches

  • Special Teams Coordinator - Vacant

Final roster

Fort Wayne FireHawks Roster

Quarterbacks

  • 11 Kota-Carone Colors
  • 12 Mike Whitaker

Offensive backs

  •  4 Brandon Williams RB/DB

Receivers

  •  1 Justin Wynn
  •  2 Jermaine Woolfolk
  •  3 Mike Tatum
  • 19 Brandon Walker-Roby

Kickers

  • 17 John Rocholl
  

Offensive Linemen

  • 43 Jesse Tuttle
  • 64 JaMarcus Green
  • 66 Anthony Harrison
  • 76 Brandon Brenzier

Defensive Linemen

Linebackers

  

Defensive backs

Inactive

  • 80 Chris Kolokithas WR
  • 81 Zach Rainey

Injured Reserve

Updated June 19, 2010

Rookies in italics
24 Active, 3 Inactive

→ More rosters

Franchise leaders

Career/season records

Passing

Rushing

Receiving

Defensive

Special Teams

Scoring/Total Offense

Single game records

Passing

Rushing

Receiving

Defensive

Special Teams

Scoring/Total Offense

References

  1. 1 2 Stacy Clardie (November 17, 2009). "Next up: Fort Wayne Firehawks". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Ex-Freedom coach takes over FireHawks". The Journal Gazette. November 20, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Judge advances steps to acquire FireHawks". The Journal Gazette. December 9, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  4. ↑ Reggie Hayes (March 31, 2010). "FireHawks' new kicker rekindling her dream". The News-Sentinel. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  5. ↑ Stacy Clardie (April 3, 2010). "FireHawks lose QB, opener". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  6. ↑ Stacy Clardie (April 10, 2010). "2 QBs to take snaps for FireHawks". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  7. ↑ Stacy Clardie (April 11, 2010). "New QB produces in FireHawks 1st win". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  8. ↑ Stacy Clardie (April 17, 2010). "FireHawks QBs endure difficult night". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  9. ↑ "FireHawks' Loomis now team's sole owner". The Journal Gazette. April 23, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  10. ↑ "FireHawks rebound, trounce Cardinals". The News-Sentinel. April 26, 2010.
  11. ↑ Stacy Clardie (May 2, 2010). "FireHawks lose by one at Wisconsin". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  12. ↑ Greg Jones (May 10, 2010). "FireHawks move into tie for 3rd in CIFL". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  13. ↑ Stacy Clardie (May 13, 2010). "Owner: FireHawks will play despite financial challenges". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  14. ↑ Stacy Clardie (May 15, 2010). "FireHawk's game pushed to June 12". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  15. ↑ "FireHawks can't hold off final Commandos charge". The News-Sentinel. May 24, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  16. ↑ Stacy Clardie (May 27, 2010). "FireHawks' final home game is off". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  17. ↑ Stacy Clardie (May 28, 2010). "Folded franchise cost FireHawks". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  18. ↑ Stacy Clardie (June 13, 2010). "'New' FireHawks prep for postseason". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  19. ↑ "FireHawks dominate Chicago in 48-0 rout". The Journal Gazette. June 6, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  20. ↑ Reggie Hayes (June 18, 2010). "Tough playoffs for FireHawks". The News-Sentinel. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  21. ↑ "FireHawks' season ends on bitter note". The Journal Gazette. June 20, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  22. ↑ FireHawks may return in 2012 "Indoor football could return to city" Check |url= value (help). The Journal Gazette. July 1, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  23. ↑ "FireHawks Owner Confirms Team For Sale". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. June 14, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  24. ↑ Stacy Clardie (June 22, 2010). "FireHawks vague on payrool, future". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  25. ↑ "Firehawks won't play in 2011". The News-Sentinel. December 31, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  26. ↑ Stacy Clardie (December 30, 2010). "No surprise: FireHawks won't play in 2011". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  27. ↑ "FireHawks joining new league". www.wane.com. WANE. June 30, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  28. ↑ Tom Davis (July 2, 2011). "Fire Wayne FireHawks to try again in new 2012 league". The News-Sentinel. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
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