Post by djh0722 on Aug 18, 2008 8:01:44 GMT -5
Cavs look ahead to Year Two in AIFA
By DAVID BUCK
Star-Tribune staff writer Monday, August 18, 2008
[oas:casperstartribune.net/sports/local:Middle1]
Argeri Layton feels like she hasn't had a summer.
The Wyoming Cavalry's director of business operations is used to the team's season ending around the Fourth of July. But this year's season lasted until July 25 when Wyoming lost to the Florence 48-12 in AIFA Bowl II.
Though Wyoming suffered its worst loss of the year in the American Indoor Football Association championship game, it was still a good ending to the team's first season in the league. The Cavs picked up postseason honors with quarterback Matt Strand being named Western Conference Player of the Year, coach Dan Maciejczak earning the conference's Coach of Year title, and seven players being named all conference.
Today marks another highlight for Wyoming: The 1-year anniversary of the team joining the AIFA.
"I'm very happy with the league," Layton said. "No matter where you are at, there is always hiccups here or there. Overall, everything went well."
On the field, things couldn't have gone much better for Wyoming. The Cavs were the only pre-existing franchise in the new West Division, and the team jumped out to a 9-0 start. Arizona, New Mexico and Utah eventually caught up to the Cavs and turned blowouts into close games, but Wyoming was able to hold on for the West Division championship and went on to win the Western Conference.
"I wasn't too surprised (about our early success)," Layton said. "I knew that having the expansion teams -- I knew that based on the ownership and the coaches in place -- that they would become competitive, and they were."
Utah was the least competitive of the Cavs' opponents, but even the Saints challenged Wyoming at the end of the season. Utah's turnaround was the result of AIFA co-owner Michael Mink coaching the Saints during the second half of the season.
The league took care of hiccups on the field, but off it there were still a few problems. Game statistics and league standings were often hard to come by or often outdated. Also, a poor experience in Florence at the championship game, in addition to the big loss, soured the end of the Cavs' season.
"There was an expectation (AIFA Bowl II) would be a more grandiose experience," Layton said. "As league and team owners that's something we want to work on."
Wyoming had issues with getting its pregame meal, and Maciejczak said he was surprised the league didn't hold a press conference or have a banquet where teams could meet in the days leading up to the game.
Overall, Layton is pleased with how the AIFA compares to the National Indoor Football League, Wyoming's previous league.
"Every time there is a question (league officials) have been available," Layton said. "They took care of business and the things they needed to take care of.
" ... I don't have any grave concerns. There are things that I would evaluate and like to change. Nothing that is a negative. It's growing pains."
The AIFA is entering its third season and there are changes in line that should help the Cavs and the league. There will be at least two new teams next year in Rochester, N.Y., and Harrisburg, Pa., as well as a team in Richmond, Va., for the 2010 season. The AIFA plans to expand in the West, but nothing has been officially announced. Layton said AIFA officials told her they were looking to have teams in Colorado, Nevada and Washington.
Another change that could benefit Wyoming is the Western Conference champion hosts AIFA Bowl III, and Layton has no problem saying she wants the Cavs to host it.
"Majic has his work lined up for him," Layton said. "Next year is Year 10 for the Cavalry, so it has to be in Casper."
Winning the championship after getting there in the Cavs inaugural AIFA season might even ease the pain of working through summer.
Contact sports reporter David Buck at (307) 266-0596 or david.buck@trib.com.
CAVS TRACKER
TODAY: Wyoming marks the team's first full year in the American Indoor Football Association.
SEASON RECAP: The Cavalry finished the season 13-4, won the West Division and the Western Conference, but lost to Florence 48-12 in AIFA Bowl II.
YEAR TWO OUTLOOK: Wyoming looks to repeat as division and conference champions. Arizona, New Mexico and Utah are no longer expansion teams and will give the Cavs a harder road to AIFA Bowl III, which the Western Conference champion hosts.
SHE SAID IT: "Majic has his work lined up for him. Next year is Year 10 for the Cavalry, so (AIFA Bowl III) has to be in Casper." — Argeri Layton, Cavs director of business operations.
By DAVID BUCK
Star-Tribune staff writer Monday, August 18, 2008
[oas:casperstartribune.net/sports/local:Middle1]
Argeri Layton feels like she hasn't had a summer.
The Wyoming Cavalry's director of business operations is used to the team's season ending around the Fourth of July. But this year's season lasted until July 25 when Wyoming lost to the Florence 48-12 in AIFA Bowl II.
Though Wyoming suffered its worst loss of the year in the American Indoor Football Association championship game, it was still a good ending to the team's first season in the league. The Cavs picked up postseason honors with quarterback Matt Strand being named Western Conference Player of the Year, coach Dan Maciejczak earning the conference's Coach of Year title, and seven players being named all conference.
Today marks another highlight for Wyoming: The 1-year anniversary of the team joining the AIFA.
"I'm very happy with the league," Layton said. "No matter where you are at, there is always hiccups here or there. Overall, everything went well."
On the field, things couldn't have gone much better for Wyoming. The Cavs were the only pre-existing franchise in the new West Division, and the team jumped out to a 9-0 start. Arizona, New Mexico and Utah eventually caught up to the Cavs and turned blowouts into close games, but Wyoming was able to hold on for the West Division championship and went on to win the Western Conference.
"I wasn't too surprised (about our early success)," Layton said. "I knew that having the expansion teams -- I knew that based on the ownership and the coaches in place -- that they would become competitive, and they were."
Utah was the least competitive of the Cavs' opponents, but even the Saints challenged Wyoming at the end of the season. Utah's turnaround was the result of AIFA co-owner Michael Mink coaching the Saints during the second half of the season.
The league took care of hiccups on the field, but off it there were still a few problems. Game statistics and league standings were often hard to come by or often outdated. Also, a poor experience in Florence at the championship game, in addition to the big loss, soured the end of the Cavs' season.
"There was an expectation (AIFA Bowl II) would be a more grandiose experience," Layton said. "As league and team owners that's something we want to work on."
Wyoming had issues with getting its pregame meal, and Maciejczak said he was surprised the league didn't hold a press conference or have a banquet where teams could meet in the days leading up to the game.
Overall, Layton is pleased with how the AIFA compares to the National Indoor Football League, Wyoming's previous league.
"Every time there is a question (league officials) have been available," Layton said. "They took care of business and the things they needed to take care of.
" ... I don't have any grave concerns. There are things that I would evaluate and like to change. Nothing that is a negative. It's growing pains."
The AIFA is entering its third season and there are changes in line that should help the Cavs and the league. There will be at least two new teams next year in Rochester, N.Y., and Harrisburg, Pa., as well as a team in Richmond, Va., for the 2010 season. The AIFA plans to expand in the West, but nothing has been officially announced. Layton said AIFA officials told her they were looking to have teams in Colorado, Nevada and Washington.
Another change that could benefit Wyoming is the Western Conference champion hosts AIFA Bowl III, and Layton has no problem saying she wants the Cavs to host it.
"Majic has his work lined up for him," Layton said. "Next year is Year 10 for the Cavalry, so it has to be in Casper."
Winning the championship after getting there in the Cavs inaugural AIFA season might even ease the pain of working through summer.
Contact sports reporter David Buck at (307) 266-0596 or david.buck@trib.com.
CAVS TRACKER
TODAY: Wyoming marks the team's first full year in the American Indoor Football Association.
SEASON RECAP: The Cavalry finished the season 13-4, won the West Division and the Western Conference, but lost to Florence 48-12 in AIFA Bowl II.
YEAR TWO OUTLOOK: Wyoming looks to repeat as division and conference champions. Arizona, New Mexico and Utah are no longer expansion teams and will give the Cavs a harder road to AIFA Bowl III, which the Western Conference champion hosts.
SHE SAID IT: "Majic has his work lined up for him. Next year is Year 10 for the Cavalry, so (AIFA Bowl III) has to be in Casper." — Argeri Layton, Cavs director of business operations.
