The ‘’NEW’’ Barnstormers Debut
Scott Reed
Tuesday April 3, 2001
Approximately 500 fans stood outside “the Barn” in anticipation of what things were going to be like. As they were let in they noticed a few ‘new’ things. The ‘new’ Barnstormer players, the ‘new’ cheerleaders, and the ‘new’ cockpit section which now is home to padded vs. bench-style seats. OK, only the cockpit section was REALLY new. The players were MOSTLY new and I KNEW only one cheerleader from last year. It was a stretch…I know.
General Manager, Jim Walden stood in the doorway greeting fans and passing out the day’s program flyers. With a smile on his face and enthusiasm in his voice he was heard saying, ‘Enjoy the show and have a great time!’. Head Coach Art Haege also mingled around a bit but was noticeably nervous about the crowd, the team, and especially his special kicking team.
You see, the first woman ever to wear an Arena Football uniform was about to take the field as the place holder for a guy who had kicked all of 6 times (practice) in his Arena Football ‘career’. Bonnie Lucas and Van Harden, radio personalities for AM 1040 WHO Radio, donned Barnstormer jerseys and took the field to convert an extra point.
The first attempt was no good but a flag on the play allowed another chance.
On the second attempt, the hike went behind Bonnie and she alertly picked up the football and ran towards the end zone for an attempt at two-points. There, waiting at the goal line, was none other than ‘ol 77, Gerry Howe. Now Gerry is 6’1’ 350 pounds and Bonnie is all of 135 pounds (unpublished stat…sorry if I am a little off Bonnie…trying to psych Gerry out). Yes…..she made it! Flattened Gerry like a pancake! As they fell towards the end zone I couldn’t help but think Gerry fell back on purpose. Sure hope scouts weren’t watching!
On the serious side…the Renken family from Parkersburg, Iowa drove 100 miles to Des Moines to check out the ‘new’ team. Jeff, Sherri, and Brittany have been season ticket holders to the AFL Barnstormers since the beginning, back in 1995. “I haven’t heard a whole lot about the af2 league”, daughter Brittany says with a shy look. “My favorite player was Larry Blue and I liked the fireworks.”
When mom was asked about her feelings of the Barnstormers moving to af2, Sherri said, “I watched the Arena Cup last year on TV and it looks like there is no difference.” “We listened to the Barnstormers last year on the radio when they were away, we just love football!”
Dad, Jeff, is upbeat as well. “Art (Haege) should do well recruiting. Overall I think the quality will be good. The seats are more affordable for those who may not have attended in past seasons.”. The Barnstormer front office hopes that is a contagious attitude. Season ticket sales seem to be hovering around the 2300+ sold mark, well below half what the 11,000+ capacity the arena holds.
The Walton’s (ok…ok…hold on) from nearby Granger, Iowa are just as upbeat. Their daughter, Gwen, had made all of the home games last year. “My favorite player is Gerry Howe. I ring my cowbell and I like to see lots of points on the scoreboard!”. She will get plenty of chances to see him again. Gerry decided to stay in Des Moines and continue his insurance business.
Her father, Greg Walton, enjoys the hitting done on the field. “These guys play for desire. With the money they are making per game the intense hitting will still be there.”.
Another key formula for the af2’s success will be the conference/division alignments. “We will now be able to go to away games.”, says Greg. “Unfortunately, there may be quite a bit of turnover each year like we see with the I-Cubs (Chicago’s Des Moines based Triple A farm club).”.
Kathy Walton follows on with, “I can hardly wait for the Quad City game here in Des Moines! The rivalry should be fun to watch.” Art’s son, Frank Haege, coaches the Quad City Steamwheelers, champions of the 2000 af2 Arena Cup. Talk about built-in rivalries!
All in all, the Black and Gold scrimmage was a chance for the ‘old’ fans to come and experience the ‘new’ team. There is a lot of healing going on in Des Moines since the AFL Barnstormers left, but by the comments of die-hard fans like the Renken’s and Walton’s, NEW IS GOOD!
Scott Reed was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2000 to 2002.
