The Harrisburg Stampede are back after a 10-year hiatus
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Indoor arena football will officially return to Harrisburg with the Harrisburg Stampede playing their first game in a decade on Saturday.
“I’m excited to be back,” said Stampede head coach Bernie Nowotarski. “I haven’t been a head coach since 2015. It’s been a while (and) to be back in a head position, it’s been great.”
The Stampede were one of the original teams in the American Indoor Football (AIF) league. The Stampede, who started in 2009, were originally with the American Indoor Football Association before moving to the Southern Indoor Football League. Over their tenure, before suspending operations on Dec. 30, 2014, they were also a part of the Professional Indoor Football League.
Last year Justin Coble, Stampede owner, decided it was time to bring arena football back to Central Pennsylvania. Coble had previously owned the Stampede in 2012 before selling it to Dynasty Group.
“This is not going to be a ‘success or failure year one’ and if we don’t succeed or we don’t hit all our goals we won’t be back,” Stampede owner Justin Coble previously told abc27 news. “We have a five-year plan; I have a business plan. We’re going to carry it out.”
Many of the players are new to arena football and are eager to hit the field.
“It’s my first year playing professional football (and) I’m ready for the challenge,” said wide receiver Patrick Gorman. “I’m excited to get started.”
Gorman is a new graduate of Stevenson University and has been working on adjusting to the difference between arena football and traditional football.
“As a receiver, it’s a lot different in the indoor game because in the outdoor game, you have a lot more time to make your routes work,” Gorman said. “(Arena football is) a lot more quick-hitting passes (and you) got to get in and out of the breaks fast.”
Defensive lineman Devin Thomas from the University of Southern Mississippi has also had to adjust his game as a first-time arena football player.
“The field is not as wide, things are quicker, shorter . . . very new, very exciting,” said Thomas.
Indoor arena football is returning to Harrisburg
The team is made of players from all over the United States, but Thomas and Gorman emphasized that they have been welcomed into the Harrisburg community.
“It feels almost like I’ve been here before — like people know me already,” Thomas said. “My first time this far away from home. . . (has) been a very warm welcome.”
Gorman seconded the feeling of being supported by the Central Pennsylvania community.
“A lot of people I’ll see (while) wearing a Stampede sweatshirt just walking around (will be) like, ‘Oh you play for the Stampede?’ (and) they say they’re excited for the season,” Gorman said. “It’s been cool to see a bunch of people come out and say they’re excited for the season even though they don’t know me.”
The Stampede has already started forming relationships within the Central Pennsylvania community. They have over 40 sponsors and have joined forces with many nonprofits.
The Stampede will welcome about 450 kids to their home games for a kid’s camp through a collaboration with a nonprofit.
“They’re going to have role models they can look up to,” Nowotarski said. “These are great young men to be around.”
Gorman knows first-hand what it’s like for a child to be impacted by the acknowledgment of an athlete.
“When I was younger I was a ball boy for the University of Richmond basketball team and seeing them when they were on the court and then they would remember me when I saw them outside the court, it was one of the coolest things ever,” Gorman said.
The whole team wants to make a positive impact on the community. They want to cultivate an atmosphere where fans know they are approachable, relatable people.
“We want to bring positive energy, bring positive perspectives,” Thomas said. “When you see us on the sidewalk. . . come up and say something to us. You’re more than welcome to sit down and have a conversation.”
They also want their games to be a place where people go to have fun.
“They’re going to see great football, but it’s going to be a fun atmosphere,” Nowotarski said.
The Harrisburg Stampede have goals of winning the championship in their inaugural season, but they subscribe to a “one day at a time” philosophy. Their main focus right now is their opening game on Saturday, April 6 at the PA Farm Show Complex against the Cedar Rapids River Kinds.
“You have to take it one game at a time,” Gorman said.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
