Arena football blazes trail back to Utah

After a two-year hiatus, the Utah Blaze are back in town.

On Jan. 26 it was announced the Blaze would be part of the newly created 16-team Arena Football One league, which will include teams from the defunct Arena Football League (to which the Blaze had previously belonged) and the AF2 (Arena Football 2).

"This has been a long, arduous road for some of us," Blaze owner Dave Affleck said. "We're going to work to do our best to be everything that the Blaze stood for."

Following the 2008 AFL season, league officials decided to cancel the entire 2009 season due to lack of profitability. Unable to come up with a viable long-term economic model, league officials filed for bankruptcy, effectively suspending league operations indefinitely.

That's when Affleck and others stepped in.

By last December, Affleck and other owners from former AFL and AF2 teams had met and agreed to purchase the trademarks and logos from the AFL, paving the way for Arena Football One.

"It's been a long time coming," Blaze General Manager Steve Videtich said. "I know this game is a great game and a great product. It's nonstop entertainment for three hours."

The Blaze will play their games in West Valley City's E Center. The team's first game is at home on April 9 against Spokane at 7 p.m.

"We're happy to be playing at the E Center," Videtich said. "We couldn't have asked for a better place. It's the premier arena in Utah to showcase our game to the fans. There's not a bad seat in this place."

Among the players to suit up for the Blaze this spring will be original Blaze member Aaron Boone. Several local players will also be on the squad, including Utah State alums Mike Affleck, Aaron LeSue and Brian Soi, former Weber State wide receiver Akamu Aki and former University of Utah standouts Jason Boone and Derrek Richards. Ernesto Purnsley, who has 10 years of arena football coaching experience, was hired as the team's first coach.

"We'd love to bring a championship to Utah," Purnsley said. "This is the community's team. We have to give back to them."

West Valley City officials, including Mayor Mike Winder and members of the city council, were on hand at a press conference at the team's name unveiling. Winder said the team's return is positive for the city.

"What an exciting day for West Valley City to welcome back Arena Football," he said. "We welcome the team with open arms. We want the Blaze to be a team partner with the E Center and with West Valley City."

For more information about the team, visit www.utblaze.com.