Albany Panthers
 |
|
| Founded | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Folded | 2014 |
| League |
SIFL (2010-2011) PIFL (2012-2013) |
| Conference | Eastern (2011) |
| Division | South (2011) |
| Team history | Albany Panthers (2010-2013) |
| Based in | Albany, Georgia |
| Arena | James H. Gray Civic Center |
| Colors | Black, Purple, Gold |
| Owner(s) | Rod Chappell |
| Head coach | Lucious Davis |
| General Manager | Will Carter |
| Championships | (2) SIFL: 2011 PIFL: 2012 |
| Conference titles | (0) |
| Division titles | (3) SIFL: 2010, 2011 PIFL: 2012 |
| Playoff berths | (4) SIFL: 2010, 2011 PIFL: 2012, 2013 |
| Dancers | Felines |
| Mascot | Prowler |
| Website | www.AlbanyPanthers.net |
The Albany Panthers were an indoor football team based in Albany, Georgia. The team joined the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) during their inaugural season in 2010. When the SIFL folded, the team joined the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) in 2012. The Panthers' home games were played at the James H. Gray Civic Center until 2014.
The Panthers were the second indoor/arena team to play in Albany, following the af2's South Georgia Wildcats which played from 2005 until the league shut down after the 2009 season. In February 2014, the team was kicked out of their home arena by the city manager after claims they defaulted on their lease. The franchise is currently looking for a new home.
In November 2009, Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) Owner, Andre White, announced that he was in talks with the city of Albany to bring an indoor football team to town. In January 2010, the Panthers were announced as members of the SIFL. At their January 29, 2010 press conference, the team announced that Lucious Davis would be the team's first head coach. On April 3, 2010, the Panthers defeated the Columbus Lions 54-41, in the first game in franchise history. They would finish the season at 8-3 and as the #1 overall team in the league, clinching their first ever playoff appearance against the Louisiana Swashbucklers. They would lose however, 41-35, ending their first season at 8-4. The loss also was the first home loss for the franchise.
The Panthers returned to the SIFL, which had expanded from just five teams to sixteen during the offseason, for their second season. Finishing 9-2, they clinched their second playoff berth and the #2 seed. They hosted the 9-3 Erie Explosion in the first round of the playoffs, winning 68-43 and earning their first playoff win and berth in the eastern conference championship against the Columbus Lions. They would go on to win that game as well, and coupled with a Louisiana upset over the undefeated Houston Stallions, would play in and host their first ever championship game. On July 1, 2011, they beat the Louisiana Swashbucklers 69-48, to win their first ever championship.
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