Lincoln Haymakers
The Lincoln Haymakers were a professional indoor football team based in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. The Haymakers played their 2013–2014 home games at the Pershing Center. The Haymakers were last coached by Cory Ross. The team was founded as the Iowa Blackhawks in 2004, and their home stadium was Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. They were originally a part of the American Professional Football League. The team later changed their name to the Council Bluffs Express in 2012. In 2013, the team moved to Lincoln, Nebraska and their home stadium was changed to the former Pershing Center.
Later in 2013, head coach Dave Brumagen was suspended for the season after pushing an Omaha Beef player to the ground after the player had scored a touchdown. Brumagen was replaced by Trever Whiting on July 22, 2013, as the Haymakers Head Coach. Three months later, Whiting was dismissed from the organization. On October 28, 2013, former Husker Cory Ross was officially announced by the team as the new head coach for the second season of play.
After playing in the Champions Professional Indoor Football League for two seasons, the league merged with the Lone Star Football League to create Champions Indoor Football for the 2015 season, Lincoln was left out of the league.
History
The Lincoln Haymakers were founded as the Iowa Blackhawks in 2004. They were founded as members of the American Professional Football League, and opened their first season at Mid-America Center. In 2007, the Iowa Blackhawks renewed their agreement to stay at Mid-America Center. In 2008, the Iowa Blackhawks announced an extension of their broadcasting deal with CyaNet Sports. That same year, the Blackhawks announced that they would be replacing their former general manager Jake Hifferman with Jeremy Poore.In October 2011, it was announced that the Iowa Blackhawks would be sold to different owners and would change their name to the Council Bluffs Express. The new owners also announced that the team would stay in Council Bluffs. In 2012, it was announced that the Council Bluffs express would be moving to Lincoln, Nebraska and would change their name to the Lincoln Haymakers. Their home stadium would become the former Pershing Center.
In 2013, following the dissolution of the American Professional Football League, the Lincoln Haymakers transferred to the Champions Professional Indoor Football League. That same year, their coach, Dave Brumagen, was suspended for shoving an Omaha Beef player to the ground. He was replaced by Trever Whiting in July 2013. Whiting himself was replaced by former Husker Cory Ross in October. The Lincoln Haymakers ceased operations after the 2014 season.