Evansville BlueCats
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| Founded | 2003 |
|---|---|
| Folded | 2007 |
| League | UIF 2005-2007 |
| Team history | Evansville BlueCats 2003-2007 |
| Based in | Evansville, Indiana |
| Arena | Roberts Municipal Stadium |
| Colors | Blue & Orange |
| President | Ed, Ann, John & Tara Voliva |
| Head coach | John Hart |
| Championships | 0 |
| Division titles | 0 |
| Cheerleaders | Adults, Junior Blues, Baby Blues |
| Mascot | T.D. Fiddler |
The Evansville BlueCats were a professional indoor football team. They were a member of the United Indoor Football Association (UIF). 2007 was the fifth and final season for the Evansville BlueCats, based in Evansville, Indiana.
Evansville is located along the Ohio River in southwest Indiana. The BlueCats played their home games at Roberts Municipal Stadium. The stadium seating capacity when configured for Evansville BlueCats football is 11,310.
According to the team, the proper and official way to spell the team name, Evansville BlueCats, was with a capital "C" in the word BlueCats. Evansville is a river city and The BlueCat, part of the Catfish family, is the largest fish found in the Ohio River, often growing to over 100 pounds. Originally called the 'Rivertown Mudcats' (before being announced), the team's founder, Michael Arnold, changed the name to Evansville BlueCats to reflect that the BlueCat is particularly known for its strength and endurance. The BlueCats mascot, T. D. Fiddler, was a giant, walking, kid-friendly catfish that resembles the BlueCats logo.
In 2001, Michael Arnold received NIFL franchise rights to build a team in Evansville, and after months of site surveys and putting together a business plan, Arnold went to the city for approval. The city wanted to see samples from the league, so Arnold and SMG Director Sandy Aaron went before the Evansville Parks and Rec. with video samples and letters from the NIFL. Local media jumped all over the concept and the word was quickly published making front page news. In early 2002, Arnold and League President Carolyn Shiver spent hours in the league ownership meetings, in Denver, attempting to get a 'Short Field' variance for Roberts Stadium. They were successful and the Evansville Bluecats were due to kick off in March 2002, but Arnold and city officials felt that it was too quick as the funds had not been developed yet, so the kickoff was postponed until 2003. After months of working long hours and much planning, Arnold was able to secure a group of local investors and went to work on building the team. On March 23, 2003, the Evansville Bluecats kicked off indoor football in Roberts Stadium with a crowd of almost 9000 fans and 92 cheerleaders leading the chant "BlueCats"! In their inaugural season the Bluecats were led by Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Avery Atadero, Offensive Coordinator John Hart, Offensive Line Coach Tim Shipp, and Defensive Line Coach Greg Myers. The franchise, after a tough year of growing pains, was sold to new owners in 2004 and was closed after year five in 2007.
The Evansville BlueCats Booster Club, also known as the “FinHeads”, were a unique organization within the ranks of the United Indoor Football family. The “FinHeads” were more than just a fan group, they were the only UIF Booster Club in the league that was registered with the government and was classified as a 501c non-profit organization. The Booster Club had a written Mission Statement and Code of By Laws, as well as a Board of Directors with elected officers. The Club raised their funds through membership dues, Booster Club sponsorships, and half pot drawings at BlueCats home games.
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