Harrisburg Stampede
| Harrisburg Stampede | |
|---|---|
| Established 2008 Folded 2024 Played in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center HBGStampede.com | |
 | |
| League/conference affiliations | |
| |
Current uniform | |
| Team colors | Blue, White, Gold |
| Mascot | Blitz the Bull |
| Cheerleaders | Stampede Dance Team |
| Personnel | |
| Owner(s) | Dazzle Sports Group LLC |
| President | Justin Coble |
| General manager | Mike Jones |
| Head coach | Bernie Nowotarski |
| Team history | |
| |
| Championships | |
League championships (1)
| |
| Conference championships (0) | |
| Division championships (0) | |
| Playoff appearances (3) | |
| Home arena(s) | |
| |
The Harrisburg Stampede were a professional indoor football team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Stampede participated in several different leagues over their history: the American Indoor Football Association in 2009 and 2010, the Southern Indoor Football League in 2011, American Indoor Football in 2012 and 2013, and the Professional Indoor Football League in what became their final season of play in 2014. The team suspended operations on December 30, 2014. In 2024, the team returned to play in the American Indoor Football league.[1][2]
The Stampede play their home games at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center for their first five seasons from 2009 to 2013 and again in 2024. In 2014, they played in the Giant Center in nearby Hershey.
The "Stampede" name alludes to the team's home venue, which hosts the annual Pennsylvania Farm Show, and the team's colors are blue, black and white.
On August 18, 2023, American Indoor Football announced the return of the Stampede to its revived league. The Team has been brought back by former owner Justin Coble,[3] local businessman and owner of Dazzle Sports Marketing. The team is owned by Dazzle Sports Group LLC DBA Harrisburg Stampede. They return to their original Bull Head logo and colors of Royal Blue and Gold. They played the 2024 season at the PA Farm Show Complex. They were to have joined the National Arena League for the 2025 season as a part of a merger with former AIF teams, but ceased operations on December 3, 2024.
History
[edit]
2009
[edit]The team was co-founded by John Morris and Fred Clark. In September 2008, the team announced that they would use the nickname "Stampede" after narrowing a list of entries down to 3.[4] In the Stampede's inaugural game, they beat an opposing team of American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) All-Stars, 46–26, in the 2009 AIFA Kickoff Classic.[5] In their first regular season game, the Stampede were defeated by the reigning AIFA champion, Florence Phantoms by a score of 19–13.[6] In their second ever regular season game, the Stampede defeated the Baltimore Mariners 37–34.[7] After a 2–4 start, Morris fired head coach Kelly Logan and replaced him with defensive coordinator, Mike McDonald.[8] Marques Colston, a New Orleans Saints wide receiver, held a share during the team's first season. Colston left the group after the inaugural season, citing philosophical differences.
2009 season schedule
[edit]| Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 14 | Florence Phantoms | Away | Lost 13–19 |
| March 28 | Baltimore Mariners | Home | Won 37–34 |
| April 4 | South Carolina Force | Home | Lost 37–40 |
| April 11 | Columbus Lions | Home | Lost 33–35 |
| April 18 | Erie RiverRats | Away | Won 34–31 |
| April 25 | D.C. Armor | Away | Lost 26–44 |
| May 2 | Baltimore Mariners | Home | Lost 27–37 |
| May 9 | D.C. Armor | Home | Won 20–18 |
| May 17 | Reading Express | Away | Lost 6–44 |
| May 23 | Erie RiverRats | Away | Lost 44–54 |
| May 30 | Erie RiverRats | Home | Won 53–29 |
| June 6 | South Carolina Force | Home | Lost 30–36 |
| June 13 | Baltimore Mariners | Away | Lost 55–58 |
| June 27 | Reading Express | Home | Lost 19–41 |
2010
[edit]For the 2010 season, the team hired Ramon Robinson as their head coach.[9] Robinson helped the Stampede turn their record around, leading them to an 11–3 regular season record, clinching a playoff spot.[10] The #2 seeded Stampede defeated the #3 Erie Storm by a score of 52–48 in the first Stampede playoff game ever.[11] The following week, the Stampede were defeated by the undefeated Mariners by a score of 65–13 in the Eastern Conference Championship Game.[12]
2011
[edit]The Stampede began the 2011 season by naming Bernie Nowotarski the team's head coach and general manager.[13] 2011 also brought a new league for the Stampede, as they moved into the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) after the merger of the AIFA's Eastern Conference with the SIFL[14] After an 0–6 start to the 2011 season, Nowotarski was removed as General Manager and Head Coach of the Stampede. He was replaced by Josh Resignalo.[15] The following season, the SIFL disbanded, leading the Stampede to re-join their former league, which is now going by American Indoor Football (AIF).
2012
[edit]In 2012, the team joined American Indoor Football (AIF), the league was run by previous AIFA owner/CEO John Morris.[16] In January 2012, Morris sold the team to local businessman Justin Coble, who made moves to broaden the fan base and re-energize the city of Harrisburg about the Stampede team;[17] Colston returned to the team's ownership group just prior to the start of the 2012 season.[18]
2013
[edit]As of August 2012 Marques Colston's Dynasty Group acquired full control of the team and had continued to grow the footprint of the Stampede with its primary mission of servicing the community in the Greater Harrisburg area. The Stampede advanced to the AIF Championship Game for the second straight year in 2013, this time defeating the Cape Fear Heroes 57-42 earning their first ever title.[19]
2014
[edit]In September 2013, the Stampede announced that they would be joining the Professional Indoor Football League for the 2014 season.[20]
After the 2014 season, on December 30, 2014, Colston shuttered the team due to financial problems and purchased a stake in the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League.[21][22]
2024
[edit]In August 2023 local businessman Justin Coble announced he was bringing back the Harrisburg Stampede to AIF for the 2024 season. With a revamped team, return to old logo and colors, and playing back in the original location the New Harrisburg Stampede returned.
On July 9, 2024, the Stampede had joined the Corpus Christi Tritons and Columbus Lions as these AIF teams moved to the National Arena League as part of a supposed "merger" between the two leagues. [23] It turned out only the Lions and Stampede joined the NAL, the Tritons went to Arena Football One and the AIF was relaunched with two other remaining teams. On December 3, 2024, the Stampede announced on their Facebook page that they were ceasing operations.
Season-by-season results
[edit]| League Champions | Conference Champions | Division Champions | Playoff berth | League Leader |
| Season | Team | League | Conference | Division | Regular season | Postseason results | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | Wins | Losses | ||||||
| 2009 | 2009 | AIFA | North | 3rd | 4 | 10 | Did not qualify | |
| 2010 | 2010 | AIFA | Eastern | 2nd | 11 | 3 | Won Eastern Division Wild Card (Erie) 52–48 Lost Eastern Division Championship (Baltimore) 63–15 | |
| 2011 | 2011 | SIFL | Eastern | Northeast | 3rd | 2 | 10 | Did not qualify |
| 2012 | 2012 | AIF | Eastern | 2nd | 6 | 1 | Won Eastern Conference Wild Card (Carolina) 68–20 Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Cape Fear) 32–57 | |
| 2013 | 2013 | AIF | 2nd | 6 | 2 | Won Wild Card (York) 51–41 Won AIF Championship Bowl VI (Cape Fear) 57–42 | ||
| 2014 | 2014 | PIFL | National | 4th | 4 | 8 | Did not qualify | |
| 2015 | Dormant year | |||||||
| 2016 | Dormant year | |||||||
| 2017 | Dormant year | |||||||
| 2018 | Dormant year | |||||||
| 2019 | Dormant year | |||||||
| 2020 | Dormant year | |||||||
| 2021 | Dormant year | |||||||
| 2022 | Dormant year | |||||||
| 2023 | Dormant year | |||||||
| 2024 | 2024 | AIF | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Totals | 33 | 34 | All-time regular season record | |||||
| 4 | 2 | All-time postseason record | ||||||
| 37 | 36 | All-time regular season and postseason record | ||||||
Head coaches
[edit]Note: Statistics are correct through the 2024 American Indoor Football season.
| Name | Tenure | Regular season | Playoffs | Awards | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | Win% | W | L | |||
| Ramon Robinson | 2009–2010 | 15 | 13 | .536 | 1 | 1 | |
| Bernie Nowotarski | 2011–2014, 2024 | 18 | 21 | .462 | 3 | 1 | |
All-league players
[edit]The following Stampede players were named to All-League Teams:
- QB E. J. Nemeth (3)
- RB Victory Sesay
- WR Scorpio Brown (2), Colis Martin (2), Jerrell Jones
- OL Randall Bennett (2), Adam Hoffman, Troy Bennett
- DL Daniel Orlebar (2), Fearon Wright (2), Jashawn Williams, Amara Kamara
- LB Vincent Tiberi (2), Jermaine Thaxton (3), Will Hines (4)
- DB Richard Johnson, Armar Watson (2), Travis Proctor
- K Cap Poklemba
- KR Armar Watson (2)
References
[edit]- ^ https://pafootballnews.com/news/on-the-arena-indoor-trail-harrisburg-stampede/
- ^ https://www.abc27.com/sports/local-sports/the-harrisburg-stampede-are-back-after-a-10-year-hiatus/
- ^ Williams, Amber (2023-09-14). "Indoor arena football is returning to Harrisburg Story". MSN. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
- ^ "Harrisburg Stampede To Hold Press Conference Next Tuesday". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. September 15, 2008. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ^ James Phillips (January 25, 2009). "STAMPEDE 46, ALL-STARS 26". www.pennlive.com. PA Media Group. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ^ Michael Sedor (March 13, 2009). "Harrisburg Stampede face defending AIFA champs tonight". www.pennlive.com. PA Media Group. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ^ Lisa Stinnett (March 28, 2009). "Harrisburg Stampede win home opener against Baltimore Mariners". www.pennlive.com. PA Media Group. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ^ "Stampede Changes Coaches". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. April 28, 2009. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ^ "Stampede signs former AFL Georgia Force Receiver". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. October 13, 2009. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ^ James Phillips (June 26, 2010). "Stampede ready for the playoffs after blasting New Jersey". www.pennlive.com. PA Media Group. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ^ James Phillips (July 2, 2010). "Stampede quiet Storm in first playoff game". www.pennlive.com. PA Media Group. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ^ "Indoor football: Mariners claim conference title with 65-13 win". www.baltimoresun.com. The Baltimore Sun. July 10, 2010. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ^ "Harrisburg Stampede Name Nowotarski Head Coach/GM". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. October 18, 2010. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ^ "Harrisburg Stampede Release 2011 Schedule, Announce Move to SIFL". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. November 18, 2010. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ^ "Stampede Remove Nowotarski; Resignalo Named Head Coach". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. April 26, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ^ "John Morris Introduces The AIF and Nowotarski to Lead Stampede". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. October 18, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ^ "Local Businessman Becomes Part of Stampede Ownership Group". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. February 2, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- ^ Jason Bristol (March 14, 2012). "Marques Colston becomes part-owern of Harrisburg Stampede". Archived from the original on 15 June 2012.
- ^ Shelly Stallsmith (June 9, 2013). "Harrisburg Stampede storms to championship with win over Heroes". www.pennlive.com. PA Media Group. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
- ^ "Harrisburg Stampedes into the PIFL". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. September 25, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
- ^ Johnson, Timothy (December 30, 2014). "Harrisburg Stampede suspending operations prior to 2015 season, team website confirms". PennLive. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
Citing difficult economic conditions, Harrisburg Stampede President/GM Marques Colston announced that the team would be suspending all operations indefinitely on Tuesday [December 30]...
- ^ Bristol, Jason (December 31, 2014). "Players, coaches stunned at Stampede's departure". WHP-TV. Archived from the original on January 8, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
- ^ "AMERICAN INDOOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE JOINS THE NATIONAL ARENA LEAGUE". NAL. July 9, 2024.