By JOSH STEIN
2006 GLIFL Director of Communications

The Continental Indoor Football League began play in 2006 as the Great Lakes Indoor Football League (GLIFL). Over 150 players played in the GLIFL in 2006, and over 75000 fans were in attendance for the league's 33 inaugural season games, an average of over 2200 fans per game.

However, that wasn't the real story. The GLIFL went against the history of the sport and introduced a new, exciting brand of indoor football. The league's seven-on-seven concept was designed to allow fans to experience the best of both worlds.

It's a 50 yard field; teams can score on any play from anywhere. A dominant defense can also shut an offense down on any given night. Never before in the sport was defense a focal point.

Not until 2006, that is.

Defense was on display early in the GLIFL, for a week two matchup between the Rochester Raiders and Port Huron Pirates. Only 61 points were scored (the Pirates won 32-29), but that brought even more excitement to the league than expected.

Defense was in play and that would be the theme of the GLIFL season, and the CIFL after that. All six GLIFL teams recorded at least two defensive touchdowns, something never before seen in the sport.

However, that isn't what the league is about.

The GLIFL brought professional indoor football to markets that otherwise would never have been able to enjoy the great sport. The Marion Mayhem, three years later, still draw thousands of fans to games in central Ohio and have created perhaps the most loyal fan base in indoor football.

The Pirates introduced the world to Robert Height, who would go on to win the 2007 Vincent Cleveland Memorial Trophy awarded to the league’s most valuable player.

Rochester introduced the indoor football world to Matt Cottengim, who won the league’s MVP award in year one.

Lehigh Valley introduced a then-league record 5000 fans to their opening-night game.

New Jersey showed everyone that even a traveling team can be professional (and this close, despite an 0-10 record, to making a shocking playoff appearance if just a few things went right).

And, Battle Creek introduced the game to a number of the players that made the CIFL Indoor Championship Game in 2008 with Kalamazoo.

The GLIFL was the beginning of what hopes to be an exciting present and future for the Continental Indoor Football League. The 2006 season provided over 75000 fans affordable family entertainment and exciting professional indoor football, all culminating in a 40-34 Port Huron win over Rochester in Great Lakes Bowl I.

Seven-on-seven indoor football is a success, and it will be a success for years to come.