The Intense Football League (IFL) was a professional
indoor football minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities/markets. This term is used in Nort ...
that began operations in 2004. Its focus was in
Texas
Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...
, but it was notable for being the first professional football league to place a franchise in
Alaska
Alaska ( ) is a non-contiguous U.S. state on the northwest extremity of North America. Part of the Western United States region, it is one of the two non-contiguous U.S. states, alongside Hawaii. Alaska is also considered to be the north ...
.
History
During its first season, the El Paso Rumble folded and the league oversaw operations of the team until the end of the season. In 2005, the
Amarillo Dusters left for the
AF2, while the other teams joined the
National Indoor Football League and the league suspended operations. In 2006, the Intense Football League restarted. Three of the original teams (Odessa, San Angelo and Corpus Christi) returned to the IFL, joined by new teams from
Belton,
Lake Charles, and
Laredo.
Following the 2006 season, the
Laredo Lobos left for AF2, but the league expanded with three new teams for 2007 in the
Frisco Thunder,
Katy Ruff Riders, and
Alaska Wild (notable for being the first ever professional football team in the state of
Alaska
Alaska ( ) is a non-contiguous U.S. state on the northwest extremity of North America. Part of the Western United States region, it is one of the two non-contiguous U.S. states, alongside Hawaii. Alaska is also considered to be the north ...
). For 2008 another Alaskan team was added with the
Fairbanks Grizzlies. The league planned to add a team in
El Paso for 2009.
On July 22, 2008, it was announced that the IFL would be merging with
United Indoor Football for the upcoming 2009 season, following the
National Indoor Bowl Championship between both leagues' champions on August 2. On August 1 it was announced the new league would be called
Indoor Football League
The Indoor Football League (IFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional indoor American football league in the United States. The league comprises 14 teams, divided equally between the Eastern Conference (EC) and Western Conference ...
.
National Championship Game Leads to Merger Between UIF and IFL - Oursportscentral.com, July 22, 2008
/ref>
Seasons
* 2004
2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and Its Abolition (by UNESCO).
Events January
* January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 60 ...
* 2006
* 2007
2007 was designated as the International Heliophysical Year and the International Polar Year.
Events
January
* January 1
**Bulgaria and Romania 2007 enlargement of the European Union, join the European Union, while Slovenia joins the Eur ...
* 2008
All-time IFL teams
* Alaska Wild (2007–2008)
* Amarillo Dusters (2004)
* CenTex Barracudas (2006–2008)
* Corpus Christi Hammerheads (2004, 2006–2008)
* El Paso Rumble (2004)
* Fairbanks Grizzlies (2008)
* Frisco Thunder (2007–2008)
* Katy Ruff Riders (2007–2008)
* Laredo Lobos (2006)
* Louisiana Swashbucklers (2006–2008)
* Lubbock Lone Stars (2004)
* Odessa Roughnecks (2004, 2006–2008)
* San Angelo Stampede Express (2004, 2006–2008)
See also
* Intense Bowl
References
External links
*
{{Profootball
Defunct indoor American football leagues in the United States
Sports leagues established in 2003
2003 establishments in the United States
Sports leagues disestablished in 2008
2008 disestablishments in the United States