Wade Koehl, All-American? Well, not exactly. But Koehl, the former UH linebacker, will be at today's SuperCombine, working out for the new All American Football League. Scouts are looking to stock Team Texas, which will be coached by former UH coach John Jenkins. The AAFL's SuperCombine will be at Rice Stadium today and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. "It's a new spring league, and their idea is that it's going to be more of an extension of college football rather than competing with the NFL," Koehl said. "NFL Europe got shut down, so their (AAFL organizers) argument is that there are plenty of players out there who aren't making NFL rosters but still are good enough to play (professional football)." Among those spearheading the formation of the AAFL is former NCAA president Cedric W. Dempsey, so it has some weight behind it. It's being funded by Marcus Katz, an entrepreneur from San Diego who made a fortune in the student-loan business. "It looks like a good idea," Koehl said. "They show good market research. "There's going to be a 10-game schedule, and it will end in June, so if anybody plays well enough to get a look from the NFL, they'll be able to (go to an NFL camp). "I just want to get out on the field and have some fun." The league will consist of teams from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, Tennessee and Texas, with each team forming an affiliation with the local university. For example, the Alabama team will wear the Tide's crimson and white and will be stocked largely with players from the Bama program. "They have not set where the Texas team is going to play," Koehl said, "but if it's anywhere close to Houston, I'm hoping they'll put some of us Houston boys on it." http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/college/houston/5240194.html
I don't think its against the law to use colors. If they used the logo, that's one thing. If it is against the law, them cowboys are going to sue me for buying a navy blue comforter.
I kept hearing ads about the AAFL on sports talk radio. Glad to finally know what it's all about. Sounds interesting.
Bringing up an old thread, indeed, however wanted to know if anyone had heard anything new or intriguing about this league lately. I'm looking for plans post grad in May and somehow managed to get contacted from the organizers of this league seeing when I would be available if I was interested in a job/"externship." Anyone think this will be a disaster or somewhat successful? Thoughts?
Remember the Regional Football League? That was around while Houston was still trying to get a franchise; and our team, the Outlaws, played in the first championship. I remember listening to one of their games on KBME, I think. In any case, the league was shut down in 1999, due to the threat of competition from ... the XFL. Although, in all honesty, I can't imagine there are a whole lot of entry-level sports marketing jobs out there (relative to the number of applicants), so I would actually go ahead and take this opportunity if I were just finishing school like you are. Because it's probably a smaller organization, you may be able to take more of a leadership on planning role here than if you were working with the Rockets or something; and some of your bosses might actually end up working for major league franchises in the future, so it'd be great to have them as a reference out of the gate.
I've seen commercials on TV for the local team in Arkansas. They're going to be playing at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, AR. I think the league will be a disaster and might not even finish out its first season. The Arkansas team is loading up on former U of Arkansas players and the "star" player is former NFL and Arena Football washout Clint Stoerner.
I sat at the far end of the bench during Stoerner's senior year at Baytown Lee back in '95-96. Good to see him still getting once last chance to play ball, even if it's probably temporary.
