Post by DiamondThief on Sept 20, 2018 19:08:25 GMT -8
9/20/18 --
TUCSON, AZ - It took just four weeks, but Tucson's entry into the Indoor Football League has a new moniker and identity. Say hello to the Tucson Sugar Skulls. The team announced the new name and logo this evening during a Name and Log Reveal which included a fire juggler and classic rock music.
Tuscon announced on August 23 that it would become the newest expansion member of the IFL. The team is majority owned by Kevin and Cathy Guy, the former of whom is the head coach of the league's Arizona Rattlers. Kevin Guy will continue to coach the Rattlers while owning the Sugar Skulls. Cathy Guy will serve as Chief Operating Officer and Mike Feder is the executive director of the team.
Former Iowa Barnstormers defensive coordinator Marcus Coleman was announced as the team's first head coach on September 12. Coleman, in part, was responsible for building the IFL's top defense in the Barnstormers. That defense aided the Barnstormers as they won the United Bowl on July 7.
The new name is a result of a name the team submission contest held by the team. Submissions on the name ended, coincidentally, on the same day Coleman was announced as head coach.
The logo features a human skeletal skull and hands holding up what could be seen as a banner reading "Tucson Sugar Skulls" The skeleton is wearing a sombrero with the tuning ends of a pair of guitarron (a form of mariachi guitar) rising up on either side of its head. Maroon, yellow and black are the colors included in the logo.
Sugar Skulls are a cultural identity in the Tucson community, having originated from Mexico.
The Sugar Skulls join all six returning IFL teams from 2018; the Rattlers, Barnstormers, Green Bay Blizzard, Nebraska Danger, Sioux Falls Storm and Cedar Rapids Titans. Cedar Rapids is going through a makeover of it's own under new owners Roy Choi and Matt Stone, and general manager Ryan Eucker. The announcement of a new franchise identity for Cedar Rapids is anticipated in the coming days.
Tucson will play its home games at the Tucson Events Center in an arena which has a seating capacity of nearly 9,000 persons. The arena is also home to the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League.
There will be another new face in the IFL in 2019, as the league announced on September 7 that the Quad City Steamwheelers would make the jump from Champions Indoor Football to the IFL. There remains the possibility that there could be more team additions announced in the coming months.
The IFL will embark on its 11th season beginning next spring.
Note: This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
- ANM
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