Indoor football is back in Huntington.
Andrew Haines, co-founder of the Ultimate Indoor Football League, announced on Monday that the Big Sandy Superstore Arena is the host of the area's new football team, the Huntington Hammer.
The Hammer is not the city's first foray into indoor football. The Huntington Heroes folded in 2008 after two seasons of play, and the River Cities LocoMotives lasted for one season in 2001.
Haines dismissed the skepticism about the establishment of another new indoor team in Huntington. "We've got a lot more experience," said Haines, who was also a founder of the American Indoor Football Association, in which the Huntington Heroes played. Haines said that a better structure would contribute to the success of the league, citing salary caps for both coaches and players, more league support for the teams and better marketing as specific imrpovements.
Haines said he thinks members of the Huntington community will support the new team, adding that reasonable ticket prices make a Hammer game economical entertainment. "It's a seven dollar investment ... you can see a movie for the same price."
Haines isn't the only one happy about the reestablisment of a team in the city. "It's exciting to bring [indoor] football back to the area," said head coach Luke Salmons. "Huntington's always been a football town."
Two of the three coaches for the Huntington Hammer should be recognizable names to Thundering Herd fans: Salmons and defensive coordinator Michael "Kool-Aid" Owens both donned the green and white for Marshall football. Former head coach of the Huntington Heroes Garry McPeek will serve as offensive coordinator.
"I've been waiting for this," said Owens, who played for the Huntington Heroes. "Being an ex-player, I know what the game's about: it's exciting, it's fast and I'm excited about being here."
According to Owens, the Hammer will start assembling a team by November. "We're trying to get the foundation built," he said.
The team – and the league – is expected to begin play in February 2011. The season will consist of 14 regular season games: seven home games and seven away. The schedule will be released this November.
Ticket prices for individual games will range from $7 to $25. The price of season tickets will range from $35 to $150.
Sam Turley can be contacted at turley60@marshall.edu.
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