Mississippi Mudcats
 |
|
| Founded | 2007 |
|---|---|
| League | American Indoor Football Association |
| Team history | Mississippi Mudcats 2007 |
| Based in | Tupelo, Mississippi |
| Arena | BancorpSouth Arena |
| Colors |
Green, Gold, White, Silver |
| Owner(s) | Jim Waide |
| Head coach | William McCarthy |
| Championships | 0 |
| Division titles | 1 (2008) |
| Dancers | MudCat Dancers |
| Mascot | Muddy |
Green, Gold, White, Silver
The Mississippi MudCats was a team of the American Indoor Football Association. They played their home games at BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, Mississippi.
The team was announced on June 20, 2006, the same day as the team now known as the Danville Demolition. One month later, it was announced that Todd Ellis, former Georgia Tech Football Player, would be the team owner and president.
A name-the team contest was held, and despite Ellis' preference of "Tupelo Kings" (which would have been in honor of Elvis Presley-the "King of Rock 'n' Roll" was born in Tupelo), the team was christened the Mississippi MudCats (honoring the state's catfish industry), the same day they would announce Brian Brents as their head coach.
In 2007 the Mudcats had a great first season and averaged over 3,200 fans per game more than any other team in the AIFA. At the end of the 2007 season, civil rights attorney Jim Waide bought the team from Todd Ellis the founder of the team.
After another great start, the MudCats won their final two games and the Division Playoff game against the Columbus Lions, ending their season with only 2 losses, the best record in the AIFA for 2008.
Tupelo had previously hosted another indoor football team, the Tupelo FireAnts, who played in the NIFL and United Indoor Football from 2002 until 2005.
In late 2008, owner Jim Waide has said he will not field a team in 2009 due to financial reasons and failure to find new owners. He has not ruled out a return in the future for the team.
Through Mr. Waide's and Ellis' efforts in the community the Mudcats team was beloved by the fans. In their community efforts they supported the Boys and Girls Clubs as well as other youth organizations near and around the Tupelo area.
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