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43-446: The team saw financial problems before the season had started, when Co-owner and General Manager, John Christner, was unable to stay with the team. As a result, J. Michael Loomis became the sole owner and only principal of Championship Sports Enterprises. With Christner's departure, Loomis became general manager, handling day-to-day operations of the team. Following the 2010 season, Loomis attempted to find additional investors or buyers of

86-696: A 7-5 record in 2008, the Mayhem were eliminated from the 2008 CIFL playoffs. The Mayhem players had already turned in their equipment for the year when it was announced that the defending CIFL champion Rochester Raiders (12-0) had been suspended by the league and had to forfeit their playoff spot. The Mayhem were invited to replace the former champs in the CIFL Atlantic Conference Western Division playoffs where they would face their conference foe Saginaw. The Mayhem gathered their players back together and headed to Saginaw to face

129-418: A legal bill and were unable to pay it. Loomis attempted to amicably resolve the situation, but was unable to do so. He ended up seeking a judgment, and obtained one. The owners would or could not pay it. Loomis put the team in receivership and attempted to sell it, but by this time, the reputation of the team had become somewhat negative. Loomis took the team out of receivership, and contacted another creditor of

172-490: A losing inaugural season in 2006 (4-6), however the Mayhem were within one game of the 2006 GLIFL playoffs. The Mayhem missed the playoffs due to the Battle Creek Crunch holding the tie breaker between the two teams. Before the season began, 4th Down and Long LLC sold the team to Michael Burtch. Joining the team would be former Ohio State University quarterback , Stanley Jackson . Jackson would later become

215-507: A more exciting start than their first game on March 5, 2011. Marion entered the 4th quarter trailing 37–23 to the Port Huron Predators . They started their comeback by scoring a touchdown with 10:31 left in the game. Mike Tatum caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from Josh Harris and Tyler Lorenz added the extra point, cutting Port Huron's lead was cut to 37–30. With 3:27 left in the game, Harris ran in from three yards out to tie

258-613: A part owner of the franchise due to their small budget operation. Jackson went on to set league records for pass completions (177), pass attempts (348) and interceptions thrown (16). Marion finished 6-6 in 2007, good enough to make the CIFL playoffs. After knocking off the Muskegon Thunder in the first round of the CIFL playoffs, the Mayhem's season was ended by a loss to the Michigan (formally Port Huron) Pirates . Finishing with

301-597: A point in an NCAA football game and speaking out during the recruiting scandal at her first school, the University of Colorado . The FireHawks suffered a loss in their first game as a franchise April 2, 2010, a 55–27 loss to the Cincinnati Commandos . During the game, the FireHawks also lost their quarterback, Adam Gibson, during the game, leaving the FireHawks searching for another quarterback before

344-739: A professional indoor football team based in Marion, Ohio . The Blue Racers began play as an expansion team in the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) in 2011, before moving to the United Indoor Football League (UIFL) for the 2012 season . The Blue Racers returned to the CIFL in 2013. The team had announced that it would be joining the Xtreme Indoor Football League (XIFL) for the 2014, but later re-signed with

387-557: A sluggish 2–2 start, Coleman fired Rick Kranz as head coach, and once again named himself as the interim head coach of the Blue Racers. On August 23, 2015, the Blue Racers announced that they would rejoin the revived CIFL, which became a member of the Indoor Football Alliance . On September 10, 2015, the Blue Racers changed their plans and instead joined American Indoor Football . However, on January 22, 2016,

430-484: A smaller than usual roster that had not practiced regularly for a couple of weeks, played with more heart and determination then the Mayhem and won 49-40. On Christmas Eve 2009, the Mayhem announced they would not be playing in Marion in 2010, citing the economic downturn. According to the ownership of the team, "if the situation in Marion improves they may entertain the idea of returning the Mayhem to Marion". As part of

473-511: Is a list of all Marion Blue Racers players who won end of the season league awards. The following Blue Racers players were named to All-League Teams: Head coach Offensive coaches Defensive coaches Marion Mayhem The Marion Mayhem were a professional indoor football team based in Marion, Ohio . The team was a charter member of the Great Lakes Indoor Football League (GLIFL), later renamed

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516-437: The 2010 Continental Indoor Football League season , earning a third-seed in the playoffs. In the only playoff game in team history, the FireHawks lost to the second-seeded Wisconsin 25–24. According to The Journal Gazette , former players say they are still owed from the 2010 season. Team owner Mike Loomis did not confirm or deny the reports in that article. The team drew about 2,000 fans per game, according to CIFL stats. After

559-483: The Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL), joining in 2006 as an expansion team . The Mayhem were the first professional indoor football team to be based in Marion, but were the second pro football team to be based in the area since the NFL 's Oorang Indians . The team folded during the 2010 season due to financial problems. The Owners of the Mayhem were Michael Burtch and Stanley Jackson . They played their home games at

602-505: The United Indoor Football League almost as quickly as the press release was floated. Thereafter, the FireHawks did not attempt to re-join the CIFL, nor did it join another league. During the Fort Wayne Freedom 2009 season, the owners sought legal assistance. There were few, if any, written contracts; there was no accounting; and, many of the "deals" had been made on a handshake. They retained J. Michael Loomis. They racked up

645-530: The Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Marion, Ohio . The Mayhem were announced to the public on September 16, 2005, as the fourth expansion team for the newly formed Great Lakes Indoor Football League . Their inaugural owners of the Mayhem were 4th Down and Long LLC, run by R.A. Mallonn, Fred Horner, Tim Cugini, and John Slebodnik. The team hired Tracy Smith as their inaugural coach and general manager on November 2, 2005. The Mayhem suffered

688-505: The Wisconsin Wolfpack in the playoffs. The Marion Mayhem were the last remaining original GLIFL team left in the CIFL. Running backs Wide receivers Defensive linemen Defensive backs Special teams Inactives Updated May 8, 2010 Rookies in italics 22 Active, 0 Inactive The following is a list of all Marion Mayhem players who have won GLIFL or CIFL awards. Note: Statistics are correct through

731-432: The 2010 season had ended, owner J. Michael Loomis issued a statement saying that the team would not play in 2011, stopping short of suspending operations. Loomis did say he would try to regroup for 2012. On June 30, 2011, press reports stated the FireHawks would be returning, in the newly formed Stadius Football Association. The SFA never materialized and the teams named to the league have since joined other leagues. Meanwhile,

774-414: The 2013 season. Theus was later removed as the head coach in Marion after a 1–4 start. Marc Huddleston finish the season as the Blue Racers head coach, as the team finish the season 2–8. Every home game of the 2013 season was shown on WMNO Marion TV 22 , available via broadcast on UHF channel 22 and on Time Warner Cable channel 3 (Marion only). In May 2013, the Blue Racers announced that they were leaving

817-516: The Blue Racers announced that they had suspended operations for the 2016 season due to lack of sponsors. On May 28, 2016, the Blue Racers' owners, LaMonte and Shavonne Coleman, announced they had moved out of the area to pursue other opportunities and put the team and all its assets up for sale. Running backs Wide receivers Defensive linemen Defensive backs Kickers Exempt list Rookies in italics Roster updated September 17, 2015 0 Active, 0 Inactive The following

860-548: The Blue Racers had led 22–0 early in the game. The Blue Racers announced they would be leaving the UIFL following the conclusion of the 2012 season . A few days later, the franchise returned to the CIFL. On September 18, 2012, the Blue Racers name, CEO and General Manager, LaMonte Coleman, as the team's 5th head coach in franchise history. Three weeks before the start of the season, the Blue Racers announced that offensive coordinator, Martino Theus, had been promoted to head coach for

903-528: The Blue Racers played their first road game at the Dayton Silverbacks . The Blue Racers went on to an 8–2 regular season record, losing twice to the Cincinnati Commandos . The team defeated the Dayton Silverbacks 53–18 in the league Semi-Finals, before being defeated by the Commandos again in the 2011 CIFL Championship Game 44–29. On July 5, 2011, the Blue Racers announced they were leaving

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946-627: The Blue Racers were tied at 26 with the Erie Explosion in the 2014 CIFL Championship Game when Aaron Smentanka found Evan Twombly for a score. After Marion turned over the ball on downs, Richard Stokes scored again for the Explosion, which turned out to be the final score of the game, making the game 38–26. In October 2014, as the CIFL disbanded, Marion announced they would be joining the X-League Indoor Football . After

989-478: The CIFL again, this time to join the Xtreme Indoor Football League . The league was supposed to be run by Blue Racers owner, LaMonte Coleman. However, in August 2013, the Blue Racers re-signed with the CIFL to a multi-year contract. Coleman has hired Marc Huddleston as the 2014 Head Coach and Director of Football Operations. After a 2–1 start, the Blue Racers announced that owner LaMonte Coleman would be taking over as

1032-520: The CIFL changed ownership in 2012, suspended operations in 2014, and then folded in 2015. Head coach Offensive coaches Defensive coaches Special teams coaches Running backs Wide receivers Defensive linemen Defensive backs Kickers Inactive Updated June 19, 2010 24 Active, 3 Inactive Marion Blue Racers United Indoor Football League (2012) Continental Indoor Football League (2013–2014) The Marion Blue Racers were

1075-748: The CIFL to join the Ultimate Indoor Football League. The Blue Racers were added as a member of the Northern Conference, re-uniting with, their arch-rivals, the Cincinnati Commandos . On August 17, 2011, Lorenzo Styles was named the 3rd head coach in franchise history. In February, team CEO and General Manager, LaMonte Coleman, took a coaching position with the Pittsburgh Power of the Arena Football League . The following day, Ryan Sawyer

1118-495: The CIFL. During the 2015 season, the Blue Racers played as members of X-League Indoor Football . The Blue Racers were the second indoor football team to be based in Marion, the first being CIFL charter members the Marion Mayhem from 2006 to 2010. The owners of the Blue Racers are LaMonte and Shavonne Coleman. The Blue Racers played their home games at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum . The franchise couldn't have asked for

1161-614: The Sting. The playoff game went down to the wire where a goal-line stand by the Saginaw defense with only seconds left on the clock ended the Mayhem's season. The final score Sting 41 - Mayhem 34. The Mayhem finished the regular season with a 9-3 record in 2009. This was good enough to earn them the 2009 CIFL East Division Regular Season Title and the opportunity to host the East Division Championship Game. This

1204-600: The disbanding of the Mayhem organization, all players, coaches, and staff were transferred to the new CIFL team starting play in 2010, the Columbus Aces . However, in late January 2010 rumors of the potential folding of the Columbus Aces started circulating. Then a couple of weeks into February 2010 a new rumor began that the Mayhem would be returning to Marion. This was confirmed in the Marion Star when it

1247-725: The entire effort, with no other backing. By November, 2009, he changed the name of the team, found new sponsors, and signed many new players. The "FireHawks" were announced as the succession team to the Freedom, and kept the team in the Continental Indoor Football League ("CIFL"). Owner J. Michael Loomis acquired the assets left from the Fort Wayne Freedom franchise as part of the judgment obtained by Championship Sports Enterprises, LLC. Loomis' named Willie Davis as head coach, primarily because of

1290-616: The following week the team came out and defeated the Chicago Cardinals 69–45, but the team played without Hnida, as a blood clot on her foot put her out for the season. The FireHawks got a quick chance at revenge against the Wolfpack, but they failed losing 32–33 as they couldn't score from the 1-yard line with seconds left, when backup quarterback Mike Whitaker's pass sailed over the hands of Jermaine Woolfolk. The FireHawks would win their next game against Miami Valley, 26–8. During

1333-622: The game. The game winning score came on an eight-yard run by Harris with 27 seconds to play. Port Huron quarterback Jim Roth was intercepted by Bryan Williams as time expired to secure the victory. On April 2, 2011, the Blue Racers set a CIFL record with 8 rushing touchdowns in a single game, against the Indianapolis Enforcers . After the Blue Racers got off to a 3–1 start, Demetrius Ross stepped down from his head coaching position, citing personal reasons. His Defensive Coordinator, Ryan Terry took over as head coach, just 2 days before

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1376-527: The game. The team was scheduled to play the Mayhem the next week, but the franchise folded. The folding of Marion credited the FireHawks with two forfeit wins. but it cost the FireHawks a significant amount in revenue from a home game, practically sealing the fate of the struggling FireHawks. Several Marion players were signed by Fort Wayne for the FireHawks' playoff run. The FireHawks shutout the Chicago Cardinals 48–0. The FireHawks finished 6–4 during

1419-480: The next week. The FireHawks earned their first victory April 10, 2010, 44–28 against the Miami Valley Silverbacks , as new quarterback, Kota Carone-Colors, paced the team with seven touchdown passes. Throughout the season the team experienced many ups and downs, none lower than a 0–49 defeat at the hands of the Wisconsin Wolfpack . The FireHawks' showed no effects from the front office problems, as

1462-405: The season, Loomis tried to sell the team, but found no interested parties. Loomis had attempted to orchestrate a meeting with the CIFL owners and all team owners during the 2010 season in order to change the business model of the CIFL before the 2011 season, but the league owners rebuffed his efforts. Loomis failed to find investors for the team after the 2010 season. In December 2010, months after

1505-676: The team's head coach. The Blue Racers recovered from a down season in 2013, by winning the CIFL's new South Division title, clinching them homefield advantage in the South Division playoffs. The Blue Racers faced off against the Northern Kentucky River Monsters in the South Division title game and won 56–40. With the win over Northern Kentucky, the Blue Racers clinched their 2nd berth in the CIFL Championship Game . After 3 quarters of play,

1548-402: The team, John Christner, who was owed a similar amount of money that he had invested at various points of the recent history of the team. Christner originally promised to run the team as Loomis addressed the legal issues, but Christner was going through a difficult divorce involving small children, and Christner was unable to devote any time to the Freedom issues as a result. Loomis then took over

1591-742: The team, without success. The team sat out the 2011 season. Before the 2011 season ended, Loomis sought to reorganize the CIFL, but when those negotiations broke down, Loomis decided against rejoining the CIFL. There were media reports that the FireHawks, along with several members of the CIFL, were going to form the Stadius Football Association (SFA), to be based in Indianapolis. The SFA was a concept that Loomis originated, but he got no traction with other team owners in his effort to put it together. The new league did not materialize after two teams, Marion and Cincinnati , joined

1634-472: The team. The Blue Racers finished the season with a 7–4 record, earning the 3rd seed in the UIFL North playoff. The team traveled to play the second seeded Erie Explosion , where the game was played at a high school field, where the team had built walls for the playing field. It is the first time an indoor football game, has been played outdoors. The Explosion went on to defeat the Blue Racers 56–47, after

1677-417: The way that the former Freedom owners had treated Davis, firing Davis as he was about to board the team bus headed for an away game. On December 9, 2009, it was confirmed that Loomis and Christner would take over the entities that used to run the Freedom. Before the season started, the team announced they had signed Katie Hnida as the team's placekicker. Hnida is best known for becoming the first woman to score

1720-409: The week before the team's first game at the Marion Mayhem , Loomis stated that the team would continue to play despite its mounting financial struggles. The Mayhem, who were having financial problems of their own, forced the FireHawks next game back to June 12. The FireHawks would continue their season the following week against the undefeated Commandos, losing 49–46 after leading by 12 with 4:12 left in

1763-589: Was named the team's interim general manager while Coleman was coaching in Pittsburgh. On March 30, 2012, Styles resigned as the head coach of the Blue Racers after compiling a 3–1 record, citing personal reason as the reason for his resignation. Offensive Coordinator Marc Huddleston, took over as the team's head coach. The team remained a strong pipeline for the Pittsburgh Power, as both the team's kickers, Trey Kramer and Seth Burkholder , signed with

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1806-577: Was reported that the Marion Mayhem had been purchased by Cheyenne Sports Group and would return to Marion. On May 27, 2010 after starting the season 3-3 it was announced that the Marion Mayhem would forfeit the remaining games on their schedule due to financial issues. When the franchise folded, the players fled to other teams in the league. A majority of the players ended up with the Fort Wayne FireHawks , who would go on to lose to

1849-407: Was the third season in a row the Mayhem made the playoffs. Their opponent in the East Division Championship Game was the Fort Wayne Freedom (6-5). Coming into the game the Freedom had been experiencing money problems and up until three days before the East Division Championship Game the Freedom still were not sure they were going to show up in Marion. But when game time came the Freedom, whom brought

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