New Mexico Wildcats

[Late Boarder]

The lineup is FINALLY complete now:

www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3576516

AIFA Adds New Mexico in the West - Announces New Arena Deal
01/04/08 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)

Rio Rancho, New Mexico (January 4, 2008) - The American Indoor Football Association solidified its Western Division for 2008 late Friday by awarding an expansion franchise to New Mexico.

The team will be known as the New Mexico Wildcats and will play its home games at the new Santa Ana Star Center in suburban Rio Rancho.

The Wildcats are owned by Steve Mascarenas and Cathy Oliver-Mascarenas. Ms. Mascarenas will serve as Managing Partner for the franchise. The team will hold an introductory press conference on January 11th.

"This was the missing piece in the puzzle to secure the West for the coming season," said AIFA co-founder John Morris. "We wanted to make sure this team would have solid ownership and a first class facility. We couldn't be happier with the way things turned out."

"The AIFA is so special that people just want to be part of it," said Steve Mascarenas. "I think that's what we're seeing here in Albuquerque. There's a lot of excitement here."

The Wildcats will play their inaugural home game against the Arizona Adrenaline on Saturday, April 26th. This will give the team nearly four months in which to assemble its organization and plan for the home portion of the schedule.

In a move with important long-term implications, the AIFA simultaneously announced an agreement with Global Entertainment Corporation of Phoenix, Arizona. The league has received a Letter of Intent from this prominent arena developer, granting the AIFA the right of first refusal for indoor football in all of its current and future arena facilities. The Santa Ana Star Center and the Tim's Toyota Center (home of the Arizona Adrenaline) are both Global Entertainment buildings.

"Global Entertainment contacted us, and we've been talking with them ever since," said AIFA co-founder Michael Mink. This is a win-win situation for both of us."

Albuquerque is one of the fastest growing areas in America. It currently ranks as the 45th as a television market, with over 662,000 television homes.

Good to see the West is getting at least SOME preparation, and they're playing in a legit arena...Welcome to the AIFA, New Mexico Wildcats!

EDIT: Just went to www.newmexicowildcats.com and found their logo:



Looks pretty professional...DEFINITELY moreso than the Utah Saints logo!

[1stDownStorm]

Alright guys, now it's time to complain about there not being a schedule out for the West!

[lionsroar]

so we should see the schedule in th next week i'm assuming. i was thinkin we should complain about the bi-weekly radio show that seems not to have had a release in a month.

Welcome to the league New mexico

[scooter]

Glad to see the sixteenth team on board!!!

Welcome Wildcats!!!

[gonzo13]

Good to see the West has finally been rounded out. Now, let's see how it goes.

[Standard Deviation]

Ultimately I would love to see the league garner a major sponsorship with an airlines so that playing the western conference is not a big burden to the rest of the teams and vice versa. Just big enough to make the travel affordable for one or two games out there.

[The Grim Reaper]

turfburn said:

Ultimately I would love to see the league garner a major sponsorship with an airlines so that playing the western conference is not a big burden to the rest of the teams and vice versa. Just big enough to make the travel affordable for one or two games out there.

An deal with an airline was in the works at one time........ maybe the great bluehaired one would know if it still is or not.

[cavfan]

Well I'm glad that the west has finally announced the fourth team was hoping for one a little closer, but it is nice to have it finalized and over with time to get the schedule worked out so we can see who we Beat each week

[Fez]

Great news. I know that the WFL folks shied away from Alburquerque because of their concern about competing with Urlacher's AF2 group. Good for the New Mexico Wildcats for being aggressive. Good luck.

[gonzo13]

scrobert said:

turfburn said:

Ultimately I would love to see the league garner a major sponsorship with an airlines so that playing the western conference is not a big burden to the rest of the teams and vice versa. Just big enough to make the travel affordable for one or two games out there.

An deal with an airline was in the works at one time........ maybe the great bluehaired one would know if it still is or not.

The airline deal thing has been tried by indoor football leagues before without any real success. But I guess there's a first time for everything.

[nmwildcatfan]

fez said:

Great news. I know that the WFL folks shied away from Alburquerque because of their concern about competing with Urlacher's AF2 group. Good for the New Mexico Wildcats for being aggressive. Good luck.

I'm stoked that we finally have a team here ... Nothing ever happened with the AF2 team. Not sure if they still are working on it but I know the arena that the Wildcats are going to play in, is where the AF2 team, if I remember correctly, was looking to play.
But either way we are excited to have a team here and I'm planning on being at every home game.

[mississippimudcat1]

I'm glad the West has all the teams they need now. The logo is freakin' awesome!!!

[Coach Bernie]

welcome nm and all your fans.....the west schedule will be finished soon....they will play march 28-june 28 and get in their 14 games....the exibition east / west game is taking place with
wyoming coming to reading....an airline deal would be great...we are working with our flight travel co. and closely wit wyoming....the game is sat. march 22 at 1pm , which is the week before the west schedule will kick off....again welcome new mexico

[big daddy]

Has anyne heard of any signings for the Wildcats? I was just wondering if there were any big names to be thrown out there or players to watch for this year

[Fez]

big said:

Has anyne heard of any signings for the Wildcats? I was just wondering if there were any big names to be thrown out there or players to watch for this year

Well... they have a coach and a fullback. from www.newmexicowildcats.com

Former UNM fullback is first ‘Cat
By Gary Herron, Observer sports editor

The New Mexico Wildcats have a venue and a head coach — and now they’ve even got their first player.

Head coach Floyd Johnson announced Wednesday that the Wildcats, who’ll play the 2008 season at Santa Ana Star Center as the 16th member of the American Indoor Football Association, have signed former University of New Mexico fullback Landrick Brody.

Brody, 27, came to UNM in 2001 after being the starting fullback for three years at Lancaster High in Dallas.

Able to “squat” 565 pounds at UNM, where his 5-11, 246-pound frame earned him the nickname “Train,” he was a capable lead-blocking back for tailback DonTrell Moore. Brody played four seasons with UNM, seeing action in 45 games, including two as a starter in his sophomore year.

“He looks like he’s going to be a good running back for us,” Johnson said. “Everybody speaks highly of him; I saw some old tape.”

Brody played for the Rio Grande Valley Dorados in af2 in 2006, appearing in seven games and carrying the ball 11 times for 26 yards and a TD. On defense, he made six tackles and had a sack. Johnson said Brody was with the New Mexico Crush of the New Mexico Football League.

Brody should fit the mold for Johnson, who said he’s seeking “pretty much guys that have discipline and a hard-work ethic, guys that are looking to go to the next level, (they) probably some college experience, but if they’ve got some talent and don’t have any college, we’ll still take a look at them.”

What is he looking for?

“Pretty much guys that have discipline and a hard-work ethic, guys that are looking to go to the next level,” he replied. “Probably some college experience, but if they’ve got some talent and don’t have any college, we’ll still take a look at them.”

Tryouts, two or three probably, will be held soon. Johnson has been talking to football coaches at UNM, NMSU and New Mexico Highlands.

Johnson expects to have a small staff of assistants, “about three to five guys.” He’s already been working to assemble his staff, he said.