Professional football is back in Milwaukee. In a state that breathes football for over half the year, they now can do it the entire year thanks to the return of indoor football compliments of the Milwaukee Bonecrushers, coached by none other than former Packer Gilbert “The Gravedigger” Brown. The Bonecrushers, a member of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL), bring an exciting, fast-paced brand of football where offense is at a premium and the defense gets numerous opportunities to unleash bone crushing hits on hung-out-to-dry receivers and lead-footed quarterbacks.

The CIFL consists of 15 teams, with the Flint Phantoms and Fort Wayne Freedom joining Milwaukee as expansion teams, with two conferences and two divisions in each conference. The CIFL exists right below the Arena Football League (AFL) and features a similar style of football – seven players per side, with lineman eligible as pass receivers, playing on a 50-by-25 yard field, no punting and four 15-minute quarters with a running clock. Scoring remains parallel to the NFL except for drop-kick field goals count for four points rather than the customary three.

The Bonecrushers themselves come into the league with high expectations as they acquired top-level talent from various teams in the CIFL. Offering a high-profile market in a football-dominated state provides an inviting venue for players normally accustomed to playing in smaller-market locations such as Kalamazoo, Michigan or Marion, Ohio. Former Wisconsin Badgers Antonio Freeman and Booker Stanley add to the hometown feel and look to generate excitement in the Milwaukee area.

The team also sports a dance team, not to be mistaken for cheerleaders, cleverly named The Crush. All beautiful girls, they will provide pre-game and halftime entertainment, further establishing the Bonecrushers not only as a professional football franchise, but also as fun and entertaining.

The Milwaukee Bonecrushers will play their home games at the U.S. Cellular Arena, a convenient fact for UWM students as anyone with a UPASS possesses easy and free transportation. Furthermore, tickets start for as little as $9 a game, with the best seats going for 37. On Feb. 17th, the team is holding Family Night which will contain live music, giveaways, and pictures and autographs with the team. The evening will culminate with an intra-squad scrimmage to provide a glimpse of how exciting indoor football really can be. The regular season starts on Mar. 21st and goes until the first week of June, with six home games and 12 games total. Further information can be found by calling their office at 414-755-2410.

As indoor football is naturally exciting, primarily due to the heavy emphasis on offense and vicious hits, the Milwaukee Bonecrushers appear ready to embark on their first inaugural season. With a plethora of talent, hometown flavor, and reasonably priced tickets, all the team needs is a constant crowd presence on game day, something that can be easily accomplished. After all, this is Milwaukee’s only professional football team.

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