Omaha Beef - History

History

Omaha originally played in the Indoor Professional Football League in 2000 and 2001 as an expansion team before moving to the National Indoor Football League (NIFL) in 2002. The Beef then joined the newly formed United Indoor Football (UIF) in 2005 as a charter member. In 2008, the UIF merged with the Intense Football League to create the Indoor Football League.

Omaha has had some very heated battles in their times together with the Sioux City Bandits (now a member of the Champions Professional Indoor Football League) and Sioux Falls since the NIFL. The three cities have shown they value the I-29 rivalries that exist in that they have followed one another through multiple leagues to stay in competition. A new rivalry developed when the IFL expanded to Grand Island, NE in 2011 and the Nebraska Danger was formed. That is the I80 rivalry and both teams have played intense games over the past 2 years.

Also what makes the Beef organization different is they have the only male dance team, the Rumproasters, along with a female dance team, the Prime dancers. The Rumproasters, men of all different sizes, have been with the team since its inception. The Rumproasters perform routines from Grease all the way to hip hop, making them the Max Patkin of the organization. The Rumproasters are also considered the ambassadors of the organization due to such commitment and charitable events they participate in.

The Prime dancers have won several awards including the best dance team three times in the UIF and 2009 dance team of the year in the IFL. They are ambassadors for the Beef organization as well and perform in conjunction with the Rumproasters including a routine for the last regular-season home game which can include ballroom dancing. The Prime have been named Dance team of the Year once again for 2012.

The mascot for the Beef is an Angus bull named Sir Loin. He has won mascot of the year three times in UIF and was named 2009 mascot of the year in the IFL and is a fan favorite. He was named Mascot of the Year for 2011 and again in 2012

The Omaha Beef have worked in partnership with Omaha's ESPN Radio, 1620 AM, along with their sister station KKAR 1290. For two years, the majority of play-by-play commentary has been conducted by Nick Handley, with color mixed in from Unsportsmanlike Conduct's Mike'l Severe. Late in the 2007 season, aspiring broadcaster Matt SantaMaria helped shoulder the load over a six-week run that including Omaha's 43–40 win at Colorado and their eventual playoff loss at Billings, 62–27. Matt SantaMaria won best radio play-by-play award in the UIF for 2008.

Starting in 2008, the Omaha Beef away games could be watched at Indigo Joe's Sports Pub and Restaurant located at 7425 Dodge Street in Omaha. The games were broadcast via the Internet by B2 Networks and b.IT Consulting and displayed on monitors around the restaurant. For 2012 the viewing parties were at Goldeez's Sports bar and Lounge thru AmericaONE.

In 2009–2011 the organization went through several general manager and head coaching changes. Despite those changes, the team finished in the top tier of the league and continued their consecutive playoff appearances streak, which is currently at 12 years, which has been since the organization was established.

The organization entered their thirteenth year of existence and fourth year as a member of the IFL in 2012. Despite constant changes within the league of expansion and contraction, the Beef were a constant and competitive member. 2012 saw the addition of new GM Josh Roehr from the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League (UFL) and the hiring of Bruce Cowdrey as head coach. As the rest of the 2012 season unfolded, the ownership of the team was then taken over by the IFL due to the actual owner not paying the fees associated with being a member. The head coach was let go, the GM left for new employment, and several other changes to cut costs. Despite this, the Beef qualified for the playoffs with some key wins, but due to the financial situation the team was in, they were told they were not going to be in the playoffs. This resulted in the ending of a 12-year streak of making the playoffs. The Prime Dancers and Sir Loin (mascot) won league awards.

The Omaha Beef were not included on the 2013 IFL schedule released on October 22, 2012. Their position in the United Conference was taken by the Texas Revolution being realigned from the Intense Conference. This is due to current negotiations with the possible sale of the team or a new replacement team taking over the Beef's position. There is also current discussions that the team is changing leagues and moving into the Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL) as a more cost effective move.