Chicago Blitz (indoor football)

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For the former United States Football League team, see Chicago Blitz.
Chicago Blitz
Established 2014
Play in Villa Park, Illinois
at the Odeum Expo Center
ChicagoBlitzCIFL.png
League/conference affiliations
Continental Indoor Football League (2014)
  • North Division (2014)

American Indoor Football (2015–2016)

  • Northern Division (2016)
Midwest Professional Indoor Football (2018)
Team colorsGold, black, white
     
Personnel
Owner(s)Mike Oliver
General managerMike Dortch
Head coachMike Oliver
Team history
  • Chicago Blitz (2014–2016, 2018)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (0)
Playoff appearances (1)
Home arena(s)

The Chicago Blitz were a professional indoor football team based in Villa Park, Illinois. The Blitz were members of American Indoor Football (AIF) in 2015 and 2016 and the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) in 2014. They played their home games at the Odeum Expo Center. The Blitz briefly joined the regional Midwest Professional Indoor Football (MPIF) for the 2018 season, but ceased operations once again after three games.

Franchise history[]

2014[]

Main article: 2014 Chicago Blitz season

The Blitz came into existence in January 2014, after the Chicago Slaughter announced that they would be sitting out the 2014 season just one month before the regular season began.[1] The team's name and logo (but not the colors) are an adaptation of the United States Football League franchise of the same name.

On February 9, 2014, the Blitz played their first ever game, losing 42–25 to the Saginaw Sting.[2]

2015[]

Main article: 2015 Chicago Blitz season

On October 4, 2014, the Blitz announced they were joining X-League Indoor Football[3] for the 2015 season. Shortly after, the team was removed from the X-League website, and was no longer affiliated with the X-League. On October 15, 2014, the Blitz joined American Indoor Football (AIF), following former CIFL team, the Sting.[4] The Blitz finished the regular season 6–2, earning the 3 seed in the AIF playoffs. They defeated the 2nd seeded Saginaw Sting 63–45 in the AIF semifinals, earning a berth in the 2015 AIF Championship Game. The Blitz traveled to York, Pennsylvania to take on the York Capitals for the AIF crown. The Blitz fell to the Capitals 30–58.[5]

2016[]

Main article: 2016 Chicago Blitz season

The Blitz played their second season in the AIF as members of the Northern Division. The team earned a 3–3 record but cancelled their final game of the season at the West Michigan Ironmen and team owner Mike Oliver immediately announced that the team was for sale. After the season ended, the AIF removed the Blitz from its team listings.

2018[]

The Blitz returned for the 2018 season as members of the regional Midwest Professional Indoor Football (MPIF). The Blitz began their season on the road, defeating the Cincinnati Flex 46–33. The Flex folded shortly afterwards. The Blitz then lost to the (28–38) and West Michigan Ironmen (41–68). On March 30, 2018, the Blitz announced they had left the MPIF stating: "This is not the brand of football the Chicago Blitz has been accustomed to in the past, nor is it a brand we want to be associated with, from league standards to their flagship team."[6] The Blitz then canceled the rest of their 2018 games.

Season-by-season results[]

League Champions Conference Champions Division Champions Playoff Berth League Leader
Season Team League Conference Division Regular season Postseason results
Finish Wins Losses Ties
2014 2014 CIFL North 3rd 7 3 0
2015 2015 AIF 3rd 6 2 0 Won AIF Semifinals (Saginaw) 63–45
Lost AIF Championship Game (York) 30–58
2016 2016 AIF Northern 3 3 0
2018 2018 MPIF 1 2 0
Totals 17 10 0 All-time regular season record (2014–2016)
1 1 — All-time postseason record (2014–2018)
18 11 0 All-time regular season and postseason record (2014–2018)

Notable players[]

Final AIF roster[]

Chicago Blitz roster
Quarterbacks
  •  9

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

  • 11
  • --
  •  3
  • 12
  •  6
Offensive Linemen
  • 56
  • 66
  • 55
  • 57
  • 77

Defensive Linemen

Linebackers
  •  1
  • 13
  • 44

Defensive Backs

Kickers

  • 19
Injured Reserve

Exempt List

  • 93 DL

Practice Squad

  • Currently vacant
  • Rookies in italics
  • Roster updated May 12, 2016
  • 30 Active, 2 Inactive

→ More rosters

Awards and honors[]

The following is a list of all Chicago Blitz players who have won league awards

Season Player Position Award
2014 Julie Harshbarger K CIFL Special Teams of the Year
2015 Julie Harshbarger K AIF Special Teams of the Year

All-League players[]

The following Blitz players have been named to All-League Teams:

  • QB Juice Williams (1)
  • RB Bryant Pascascio (1)
  • WR David Brown (1), Kent McDonald (1), Brian Miles (1)
  • OL Anthony Bullock (1)
  • DL DeAndre Mosely (2), Shonn Bell (1), Tyrone Saunders, Jr. (1)
  • LB Sam Fornelli (1)
  • DB Chris Muhammad (1)
  • K Julie Harshbarger (2)

Coaches of note[]

Head coaches[]

Name Term Regular season Playoffs Awards
W L T Win% W L
Mike Oliver 2014–2016, 2018 17 10 0 .630 1 1

Coaching staff[]

Chicago Blitz staff
Front Office
  • General Manager - Mike Dortch
  • Director of Player Personnel - Vince Mucci
  • Equipment Manager - Jeff Henderson
  

Head Coach

  • Head coach - Mike Oliver

Offensive Coaches

  • Offensive Coordinator – Mike Oliver
  • Assistant Offensive Coordinator - Dave Auwerda
  • Offensive Line - Chris Van Stone

Defensive Coaches

  • Defensive Coordinator – Noel Soto
  • Assistant Defensive Coordinator - Dennison Robinson
  • Defensive Line – Chris Van Stone

References[]

  1. ^ "Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSportsCentral. January 27, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
  2. ^ Cory Butzin (February 10, 2014). "Saginaw Sting overcome slow start, roll to big win over Chicago Blitz in CIFL season opener". www.mlive.com. MLive Media Group. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  3. ^ "Chicago Blitz Are Latest to Join X-League". X-League Indoor Football. October 4, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  4. ^ "Chicago Blitz Joins AIF". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. October 15, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  5. ^ Eric Thomas (June 6, 2015). "Watson's defense spurs York Capitals to AIF championship vs. Chicago Blitz". www.ydr.com. The York Daily Record. Archived from the original on July 4, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  6. ^ "March 30, 2018, Blitz Facebook post". Facebook. March 30, 2018.

External links[]

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