Green Bay Blizzard

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Green Bay Blizzard
Current season
Established 2003 Play in Resch Center in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin GreenBayBlizzard.com
League/conference affiliations
af2 (2003–2009) National Conference (2003–2004) Midwestern (2003–2004) American Conference (2005–2009) Eastern (2005–2006) Midwest (2007–2009) Indoor Football League (2010–present) United Conference (2010–2017) Central North (2010) Great Lakes (2011)
Current uniform
Team colors	Forest green, white, silver
Mascot	Bruiser the Yeti, Blizz and Bling – Bruiser's Yeti Cousins
Personnel
Owner(s)	Larry & Kathy Treankler
Head coach	Corey Roberson
Team history
Green Bay Blizzard (2003–present)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (1) af2 American: 2006
Division championships (4) af2 Eastern: 2006 af2 Midwest: 2008 IFL Central North: 2010 IFL Great Lakes: 2011
Playoff appearances (9)
af2: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 IFL: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2019
Home arena(s)
Resch Center (2003–present)

The Green Bay Blizzard is a professional indoor football team based in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, founded in 2003. The Blizzard began play in the Indoor Football League in 2010, after having played the previous seven seasons in af2, the now-defunct minor league of the Arena Football League. They play their home games at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. The team's logo represents Bruiser, the team mascot.

History[]

af2: 2003–2009[]

The Blizzard started out as an af2 expansion team in 2003 with Jose Jefferson as the team's head coach. The team finished 2–14, last in the National Conference Midwest Division. They only averaged 2,957 fans a game.^{[citation needed]}

At the beginning of the 2004 season, the Blizzard replaced Jose Jefferson with former Green Bay Packers linebacker Brian Noble. Despite the team improving during the 2004 season, the Blizzard finished 6–10.

In 2005, the team moved from the National Conference to the American Conference of AF2. The Blizzard became a member of the American Conference's East division. The team also replaced Noble with veteran Arena Football League Bob Landsee. The team continued their trend of improvement in 2005 finishing 9–7, good for 3rd in the East Division, and reaching the postseason for the first time. They fell in the first round to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Blizzard head coach Bob Landsee became the first coach in team history to return for their second season. The Blizzard also came under new ownership as former coach Brian Noble lead an investment group that purchased the team. Noble became the new President of the four-year-old franchise and began a complete revitalization of the organization, drastically lowering ticket prices in an attempt to boost their average game attendance.^{[citation needed]} The team set a new single game attendance record of 7,184 in the season finale against Louisville. The team experienced an improvement on the field as well, going into the final game of the 2006 regular season tied with the Louisville Fire for first in the East Division at 9–6. This set up a showdown between the two teams at the Resch Center for the East Division title, which the Blizzard won 54–53. The Blizzard earned a first round bye before facing the 2005 ArenaCup Champion Memphis Xplorers in the Blizzard's inaugural home playoff game, which they won 67–50. This victory sent them to the American Conference Championship Game against the Florida Firecats, which they won 60–47, capturing the conference title and advancing to ArenaCup VII, where they lost to the Spokane Shock 54–37.

Coach Bob Landsee had difficulties resulting from surgery and was forced to take a leave of absence for the 2007 season. He was replaced by defensive coordinator Doug Lytle, who led the Blizzard to a 9–7 season, remaining undefeated at home yet losing all but one road game. The Blizzard made the playoffs for the third consecutive year and surprised their rival and Midwest Division Champion Quad City Steamwheelers 39–34 in the first-round game. The Blizzard carried over their success at home from the regular season by defeating Louisville in the second round 37–27, but lost to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers in their second consecutive American Conference championship game, 46–43.^[1]

Head coach Bob Landsee returned in 2008 and led the Blizzard to an 11–5 record and a Midwest Division title. The Blizzard set a single game record for attendance against Lexington with 7,258 and had the largest average attendance in team history with an average of 6,125 fans per game.^{[citation needed]} In the first round of the playoffs the Blizzard defeated Lexington 65–37 after having lost twice to them in the regular season. The Blizzard then hosted Manchester in a second-round game, losing 55–54 on a last minute Manchester two-point conversion.

After beginning the season by defeating the defending ArenaCup Champion Tennessee Valley Vipers. The Blizzard failed to capture a consecutive Midwest Division title and finished the season 10–6, earning the #6 seed in the 2009 af2 playoffs. The Blizzard advanced to their third American Conference Championship, losing to #1 seed Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers 72–67.

Indoor Football League: 2010–present[]

In October 2009, the team announced that unless the team found additional investors that they would be forced to cease operations.^{[citation needed]} The Blizzard found new investors in an ownership group named Titletown Football Group, LLC, led by Green Bay Bullfrogs president Jeff Royle, who purchased the team in late October. In November 2009, the team announced that they would play the 2010 season in the Indoor Football League (IFL) due to AF2 filing for bankruptcy. At a team open house on November 17, 2009, the Blizzard announced their new head coach would be Rik Richards.

On December 5, 2009, the Blizzard announced a name-the-team contest. The Blizzard name and intellectual property was held by the then-defunct Arena Football League (AFL), which was the parent of the Blizzard's former league, af2. The assets of the former AFL were purchased by the newly formed Arena Football 1.^[2] The team ownership group was still attempting to purchase the rights to the Blizzard name and had decided to continue with the contest in case the Blizzard name was not able to be purchased, but the owners were able to acquire the Blizzard name and imagery.

Early success[]

On December 15, 2009, the IFL announced the divisional alignment and schedule for the 2010 season. The Blizzard competed in the United Conference, Central North Division with the La Crosse Spartans, Chicago Slaughter and Bloomington Extreme. The Blizzard won the Central North Division, but lost their first round playoff game against the Chicago Slaughter.

For the 2011 season, the Blizzard competed in the United Conference, Great Lakes Division, which was a renamed Central North Division (the Spartans, Slaughter, and Extreme, along with the Blizzard). The Blizzard won the division title again and improved to 11–3 record. They defeated the Reading Express in their first round playoff game, but lost the United Conference Championship game to the eventual champions, the Sioux Falls Storm.

Because of various teams leaving the IFL, either to join other leagues or cease operations altogether, the league played the 2012 season format in two conferences with no divisions. While the Spartans had ceased operations, the Blizzard's divisional rivals, the Slaughter and the newly renamed Bloomington Edge joined in the single-table United Conference along with the Reading Express, Sioux Falls Storm, Cedar Rapids Titans, Lehigh Valley Steelhawks and Omaha Beef. The Blizzard finished 11–3 again, for second place in the conference and three games behind the undefeated Storm. The Blizzard defeated the Edge in the first round, but again lost to the Storm for the United Conference Championship.

Playoff drought[]

With the Beef, Edge, and Steelhawks leaving the IFL for other leagues and the Express suspending operations, the United Conference was reduced to five teams for the 2013 season, with the Blizzard, Slaughter, Titans, and Storm all returning and the newly renamed Texas Revolution (formerly the Allen Wranglers) moving from the Intense Conference. Junior Aumavae, a nose tackle who spent the 2012 season playing for the Blizzard, was signed by the New York Jets in late March 2013.^[3] After compiling a 1–5 record in the season's first six games, head coach Robert Fuller was replaced by defensive coordinator Chad Baldwin.

After the 2013 season, the Chicago Slaughter moved to the Continental Indoor Football League, but the United Conference continued to have five teams with the expansion Bemidji Axemen. In September 2013, Titletown Football Group, LLC sold their majority ownership stake in the team to Larry and Kathy Treankler.^[4] The Blizzard began the 2014 season under head coach Chad Baldwin.^[5] After the team began the season 0–6, Baldwin was replaced by offensive coordinator Tommie Williams for the remainder of the season.^[6] The Blizzard introduced their new logo during this season.

Tommie Williams had his interim tag removed and was named the head coach of the Blizzard. The Blizzard brought back veteran quarterback Donovan Porterie and traded for Carl Sims. The Blizzard won as many games as they had the previous two seasons combined, but their 6–8 record was not enough to qualify for the playoffs.

On November 3, 2015, Williams and the Blizzard agreed to part ways.^[7] On December 7, 2015, Chris Williams was hired as the head coach of the Blizzard.^[8]

To open the 2018 season, the Blizzard started out 0–5 after a bad showing with the I-Formation.^{[further explanation needed]} Coach Chris Williams was relieved of his duties following the week 6 bye and was replaced by Corey Roberson as interim head coach. The Blizzard finished the season with two total wins.

2019 season[]

Corey Roberson was named head coach for the 2019 season. Under Roberson, the Blizzard earned their first playoff berth since 2012 with a 9–5 regular season record.

Statistics and records[]

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
2003		af2	National	Midwest	5th	2	14	0
2004		af2	National	Midwest	4th	6	10	0
2005		af2	American	East	3rd	9	7	0	Lost Wild Card round (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) 41–48
2006		af2	American	East	1st	10	6	0	Won Conference Semifinal (Memphis) 67–50 Won Conference Championship (Florida) 60–47 Lost ArenaCup VII (Spokane) 34–57
2007		af2	American	Midwest	2nd	9	7	0	Won Conference Round 1 (Quad City) 39–34 Won Conference Semifinal (Louisville) 37–27 Lost Conference Championship (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) 43–46
2008		af2	American	Midwest	1st	11	5	0	Won Conference Round 1 (Lexington) 65–37 Lost Conference Semifinal (Manchester) 54–55
2009		af2	American	Midwest	2nd	10	6	0	Won Conference Round 1 (Tennessee Valley) 60–56 Won Conference Semifinal (Iowa) 51–46 Lost Conference Championship (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) 67–72
2010	2010	IFL	United	Central North	1st	10	4	0	Lost Conference Quarterfinal (Chicago) 39–46
2011	2011	IFL	United	Great Lakes	1st	11	3	0	Won Conference Semifinal (Reading) 68–51 Lost Conference Championship (Sioux Falls) 12–52
2012	2012	IFL	United		2nd	11	3	0	Won Conference Semifinal (Bloomington) 51–30 Lost Conference Championship (Sioux Falls) 42–61
2013	2013	IFL	United		5th	4	10	0
2014	2014	IFL	United		5th	2	12	0
2015	2015	IFL	United		3rd	6	8	0
2016	2016	IFL	United		4th	5	11	0
2017	2017	IFL	United		4th	3	13	0
2018	2018	IFL			6th	2	12	0
2019		IFL			4th	9	5	0	Lost First Round (Nebraska) 40–45
2020		IFL			Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021		IFL			10th	5	9	0
Totals						125	145	0	All-time regular season record (2003–2021)
						9	9	—	All-time postseason record (2003–2021)
						134	154	0	All-time regular season and postseason record (2003–2021)

Head coach records[]

Note: Statistics are correct through the 2021 Indoor Football League season

Name	Term	Regular season				Playoffs		Awards
		W	L	T	Win%	W	L
Jose Jefferson	2003	2	14	0	.125	0	0
Brian Noble	2004	6	10	0	.375	0	0
Bob Landsee	2005–2006 2008–2009	40	24	0	.625	5	4
Doug Lytle	2007	9	7	0	.563	2	1
Rik Richards	2010–2011	21	7	0	.750	1	2
Robert Fuller	2012–2013	12	8	0	.600	1	1	IFL Coach of the Year (2012)
Chad Baldwin	2013–2014	3	11	0	.214	0	0
Tommie Williams	2014–2015	8	14	0	.364	0	0
Chris Williams	2016–2018	8	29	0	.216	0	0
Corey Roberson	2018–present	16	21	0	.432	0	1	IFL Coach of the Year (2019)

Season-by-season average attendance[]

This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (July 2017)

Year	Average attendance[9]	League
2003	2,957	af2
2004	3,683	af2
2005	3,532	af2
2006	5,836	af2
2007	5,629	af2
2008	6,125[a]	af2
2009	6,093	af2
2010	3,778	IFL
2011	3,084	IFL
2012	3,384	IFL
2013	3,811	IFL
2014	No data	IFL
2015	3,588	IFL
2016	3,359	IFL
2017	3,609	IFL
Average	4,176	Overall
Average	4,836	af2
Average	3,516	IFL

Notable players[]

Current roster[]

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (May 2021)

Green Bay Blizzard roster
Quarterbacks 11 Damion May 17 Aaron Aiken Running backs 12 Rameses Owens 21 Kerrion Moore Wide receivers 1 Eric Thomas 4 Trevon Saunders 9 MacGarrett Kings Jr. 10 Kezlow Smith 14 Keshaun Taylor		Offensive linemen 55 Jahlil Mathis-Ellis 70 Eric Janeau, Jr. 79 Dwayne Williams -- Kevin Hall -- Daniel Smalls -- Alex Thompson Defensive linemen -- David Pfaff -- Cassius Peat -- Dajon Emory 50 Deldrick Canty 94 Eishaun Funnye 97 Zane Smith 99 Adewale Adeoye		Linebackers -- Diondre Wallace Defensive backs 2 Malik Reaves 5 Mason Gray 6 Corey Turner 7 Momodou Mbye 24 Bakari Triggs Special teams 13 John Henry Nell		Reserve lists -- Dayshawn Taylor LB [1] updated May 2021 29 active, 1 inactive → More rosters

Individual awards[]

The following is a list of all Blizzard players who have won league awards:

Current staff[]

Green Bay Blizzard staff

	Front office Co-owner – Larry Treankler Co-owner – Kathy Treankler Director of ticket sales - Ryan Hopson Director of football operations - Dylan Eisenbarth Head coach / general manager Corey Roberson			Assistant coaches Offensive Coordinator: Matt Behrendt OL/DL coach: Dean Picotte Special Teams Coordinator: Anthony Parker Assistant Coach: Nigel Stephens

References[]

External links[]

• Official website
• FrostBite - Weekly Podcast