Myrtle Beach Freedom

Last updated
Myrtle Beach Freedom
Established 2015
Folded 2016
Played in Myrtle Beach Convention Center
in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
MyrtleBeachFreedom.com
MyrtleBeachFreedom.png
League/conference affiliations
American Indoor Football (2016)
  • Southern Division (2016)
Current uniform
Team colorsNavy blue, red, silver, white
    
Personnel
Owner(s)Ronnie McCuin
General managerRonnie McCuin
Head coachRyan David (2016)
Terrance Foster (interim)
Team history
  • Myrtle Beach Freedom (2016)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (0)
Playoff appearances (1)
  • AIF: 2016
Home arena(s)

The Myrtle Beach Freedom were a professional indoor football team based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and played their home games at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. They were a member of American Indoor Football for one season until the league ceased operations in the summer of 2016.

Contents

The Freedom were the second indoor football team to call Myrtle Beach home, following the Myrtle Beach Stingrays of the National Indoor Football League, which only played part of the 2003 season in Myrtle Beach before moving to Florence, South Carolina, the following season.

History

The Freedom had originally joined X-League Indoor Football (X-League), but the Freedom were forced to choose a new league after the X-League ceased operations. The Freedom joined American Indoor Football (AIF) in October, 2015. [1]

On April 19, 2016, the Freedom replaced coach Ryan David with Terry Foster. [2] Coach David, along with two assistant coaches, resigned from the team in protest of what they considered dangerous conditions for their players. [3] Coach Foster came from the recently defunct travelling team, the Steel City Menace.

Following the conclusion of the 2016 season, the AIF announced that it was ceasing operations, thus leaving the Freedom without a league. The Freedom's assets ended up in the hands of the Myrtle Beach Sharks, who wore the Freedom's uniforms throughout their brief existence in Arena Pro Football.

In March 2017, the Freedom and the AIF were sued for providing unsafe field conditions during their May 23, 2016, home game against the Columbus Lions. Two of the Lions' players, Christopher Donnell Smith and David Toussaint, claim the turf came loose from the floor, which then caught their feet causing permanent damage to their knees and ending their careers. [3]

Final roster

2016 Myrtle Beach Freedom roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

  • vacant

Wide receivers

  • --Gerron Bryant
  • 89Ronnie Moses
  • 10Dontrelle Sanford
  •  3Edward Victorian
  •  9Ty Zimmerman
Offensive linemen
  • 52Mark Bechtel
  • --Dontre Brown
  • 47Torrance Buie
  • 56Tim Fowler

Defensive linemen

  • 60Henry Collao
  • 50Deangelio Davis
  • 99Nate Harris
  • 73Dyrell Porcha
  • 94Marco Vereen
Linebackers
  • --Gabe Ostrow

Defensive backs

  • 21Jason Booker
  • 13Vaughn Cross
  • 23Jeffery Kassoumis
  •  7Franklin King
  • 44Quincy Malloy
  • 25Shaq McAllister
  • --John Robertson
  •  4Lindsey Robertson
  • 14Shawn Sanders
  • --Jonathan Sharpe
  • 25Shaq McAllister
  • 24Jaa Valentine

Kickers

  • 18Victor Leventritt
Injured reserve
  • vacant

Exempt list

  • 14 Jason Livingston WR (Exempt)
  •  3 Demario Turner DB (Exempt)
  • rookies in italics
  • Roster updated May 25, 2016
  • 30 Active, 2 Inactive

Final staff

Myrtle Beach Freedom staff
Front office
  • Owner/General manager – Ronnie McCuin
  • Director of Marketing/Advertising - Patty Mungo
  • Director of merchandise – Vickie Gill
  • Director of ticket sales – Andre White
  • Director of game day operations – Chad Fryar
 

Head coach

  • Head coach/offensive coordinator – Terry Foster [4]

Assistant coaches

  • Defensive coordinator – Larry Green
  • Offensive/Defensive Linemen - Brian Bashaw
  • Strength and Conditioning -

Statistics and records

Season result

League championsDivision championsPlayoff berthLeague leader
Season League Division Regular season Postseason results
FinishWinsLossesTies
2016 AIF Southern3rd440Lost Northern Semifinals (Ironmen) 37–78
Totals450All-time record (2016)

Head coaches' records

NameTermRegular seasonPlayoffsAwards
WLTWin%WL
Ryan David 2016 220.500——
Terry Foster2016220.50001

2016 season

2016 Myrtle Beach Freedom season
OwnerRonnie McCuin
General managerRonnie McCuin
Head coachRyan David
Terry Foster (interim)
Home field Myrtle Beach Convention Center
Results
Record4–4
Division place3rd
Playoff finishLost Northern Semifinals (Ironmen) 37–78

Myrtle Beach Freedom

Key:   Win  Tie  Loss   Bye

Exhibition

All start times were local to home team

WeekDayDateKickoffOpponentResultsLocation
ScoreRecord
1SundayMarch 67:05pmCarolina DynastyW 49–22 [5] 1–0 Myrtle Beach Convention Center
2MondayMay 97:05pmSouth Carolina RavensW 43–202–0 Myrtle Beach Convention Center

Regular season

All start times were local to home team

WeekDayDateKickoffOpponentResultsLocation
ScoreRecord
1 BYE
2 BYE
3 BYE
4 BYE
5MondayMarch 287:05pm Savannah Steam W 34–33 [6] 1–0 Myrtle Beach Convention Center
6SaturdayApril 27:05pmat Central Florida Jaguars W 47–34 [7] 2–0 Lakeland Center
7MondayApril 117:05pm Georgia Firebirds L 20–49 [8] 2–1 Myrtle Beach Convention Center
8SaturdayApril 167:05pmat Columbus Lions L 15–65 [9] 2–2 Columbus Civic Center
9SaturdayApril 237:05pmat Georgia Firebirds L –56 [10] 2–3 Albany Civic Center
10SundayMay 17:05pmat Atlanta Vultures W 2–0 (by forfeit)3–3 Georgia International Convention Center
11 BYE
12MondayMay 167:05pm Atlanta Vultures Cancelled Myrtle Beach Convention Center
12MondayMay 167:05pmCarolina CommandosW 83–184–3 Myrtle Beach Convention Center
13MondayMay 237:05pm Columbus Lions L 15–52 [11] 4–4 Myrtle Beach Convention Center
14 BYE

Standings

2016 AIF Southern standings
TeamWLTPCTPFPAPF (Avg.)PA (Avg.)STK
Columbus Lions 8001.00059917474.921.8W8
Florida Tarpons 710.87548920261.125.3W4
Myrtle Beach Freedom 440.50025930732.438.4L1
Savannah Steam 350.37526433633.042.0L1
Georgia Firebirds 350.37523635029.543.8L2
Central Florida Jaguars 260.25021948327.460.4L1
Atlanta Vultures 150.1676714111.223.5L5

Playoffs

When the playoff schedule was initially announced, the Freedom were set to play the Southern Division's second-seeded Florida Tarpons. On May 30, the Freedom replaced the Northern Division's fourth-seeded Central Penn Capitals against the West Michigan Ironmen. The Freedom's former position was replaced by the Southern Division's fourth-seed, the Savannah Steam.

RoundDayDateKickoffOpponentScoreLocation
Div. SemifinalsSaturdayJune 47:05pmat West Michigan Ironmen L 37–78 [12] L. C. Walker Arena

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Indoor Football</span> Former professional indoor football league

American Indoor Football (AIF) was a professional indoor football league, one of the several regional professional indoor football leagues in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Columbus Lions</span> American indoor football team

The Columbus Lions are a professional indoor football team based in Columbus, Georgia and are a member of the American Indoor Football Alliance. The were a founding member of the National Arena League (NAL) for the 2017 season. The Lions were founded in 2006 as an expansion team of the World Indoor Football League (WIFL). After the WIFL went under in 2007, the Lions joined the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) where they played for two seasons. When the AIFA broke apart, the Lions joined the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL). The Lions joined the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) in 2012 when the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) teams split up into two new leagues. After the 2015 season, the PIFL broke apart, and the Lions joined American Indoor Football for 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saginaw Sting</span> American indoor football team

The Saginaw Sting was a professional Indoor Football team based in Saginaw, Michigan. The team was most recently a member of American Indoor Football (AIF). They began play in 2008 as an expansion team in the Continental Indoor Football League and then moved to the Indoor Football League for the 2009 season. They suspended operations for the 2010 season before becoming an inaugural member of the Ultimate Indoor Football League. The following season they were suspended by the UIFL and re-joined the CIFL under new ownership. The team has since moved to the AIF. The owners of the Sting were Stuart Schweigert, Rob Licht and Jim O'Brien. The Sting played their home games at The Dow Event Center in Saginaw, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgia Firebirds</span>

The Georgia Firebirds were a professional indoor football team based in Albany, Georgia, and played their home games at the Albany Civic Center. Previously, the Firebirds played as an outdoor football team in various semi-pro leagues before going indoor. The Firebirds joined American Indoor Football (AIF) for the 2016 season but the league folded after one season. The Firebirds then joined the new National Arena League (NAL) for the 2017 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lehigh Valley Steelhawks</span>

The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks were a professional indoor football team based in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The Steelhawks began play as an expansion team in the Indoor Football League (IFL) in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Penn Capitals</span> Former professional indoor football team in Pennsylvania, U.S.

The Central Penn Capitals were a professional indoor football team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Capitals played as members of American Indoor Football (AIF) from 2013 to 2016. The club was established in 2012 as an expansion team for the 2013 season when Jim Morris secured the rights to an AIF franchise in York, Pennsylvania at the York City Ice Arena. The team relocated to Harrisburg for the 2016 season with home games played at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center. The AIF ceased operations after the 2016 season and the Capitals did not join another league.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Blitz (indoor football)</span> Professional Indoor Football Team

The Chicago Blitz were a professional indoor football team based in Villa Park, Illinois. The Blitz were members of American Indoor Football (AIF) in 2015 and 2016 and the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) in 2014. They played their home games at the Odeum Expo Center. The Blitz briefly joined the regional Midwest Professional Indoor Football (MPIF) for the 2018 season, but ceased operations once again after three games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Steam</span> Indoor American football team

The Southern Steam are a professional indoor football team and currently a member of Elite Indoor Football (EIF) since 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlanta Vultures</span>

The Atlanta Vultures were a professional indoor football team and a member of American Indoor Football (AIF) that played part of the 2016 season. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the Vultures were to play their home games at the Georgia International Convention Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Florida Jaguars</span>

The Central Florida Jaguars, commonly known as the Jags, were a professional indoor football team based in Lakeland, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steel City Menace</span>

The Steel City Menace were a professional indoor football team and a member of American Indoor Football that played part of the 2016 season. Originally based in Pueblo, Colorado, the Menace were to play their home games at the Southwest Motors Events Center, however, they ended up playing at an outdoor field and the two regular season league games they played were on the road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Michigan Ironmen</span> Sports team

The West Michigan Ironmen are a professional indoor football team based in Muskegon, Michigan, the Ironmen play their home games at Trinity Health Arena. The team joined American Indoor Football (AIF) in 2016. The AIF ceased operations following the 2016 season, leaving the Ironmen without a league. They joined Champions Indoor Football for the 2017 season. For the 2018 season, the team was originally announced to have joined the Indoor Football League, however, the team was forced to sit out the 2018 Indoor Football League season. The team was then sold and played in the regional Midwest Professional Indoor Football for the 2018 season until they could rejoin the CIF in 2019. However, they were not among the list of members for the 2019 CIF season and instead joined the American Arena League.

The 2016 American Indoor Football season was the eleventh and final season of American Indoor Football (AIF). The regular season began February 27, 2016, and ended on May 23, 2016. Each team played a game schedule of varying lengths.

The 2016 River City Raiders season was the fourth season for the American indoor football franchise, and their first in American Indoor Football (AIF).

The 2016 West Michigan Ironmen season was the franchise's inaugural season and the city of Muskegon's first indoor football season since the West Michigan ThunderHawks folded following the 2009 season.

The 2016 Columbus Lions season was the tenth season for the indoor football franchise, and their first in American Indoor Football.

The 2016 Georgia Firebirds season was the first season for the American indoor football franchise, and their first in American Indoor Football.

The 2016 Florida Tarpons season was the fifth season for the American indoor football franchise, and their first in American Indoor Football.

The 2016 New Mexico Stars season was the fourth season for the indoor football franchise, and their first in American Indoor Football (AIF).

The 2016 Savannah Steam season was the third season for the indoor football franchise, and their second in American Indoor Football (AIF).

References

  1. ↑ "Myrtle Beach Freedom indoor football team switches leagues". www.myrtlebeachonline.com. Myrtle Beach Online. October 21, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Myrtle Beach Freedom hire new coach after ugly split with inaugural one". Myrtle Beach Online. April 19, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  3. 1 2 "After mangling their knees during indoor football games in Myrtle Beach, former players sue team, league". My Horry News. March 20, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Myrtle Beach Freedom hire new coach after ugly split with inaugural one". Myrtle Beach Online. April 19, 2016.
  5. ↑ Ryan Elswick (March 6, 2016). "Myrtle Beach Freedom top Carolina Dynasty in first-ever contest". www.myrtlebeachoneline.com. Myrtle Beach Online. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  6. ↑ Ryan Elswick (March 29, 2016). "Myrtle Beach Freedom rally late to win inaugural regular-season tilt". www.myrtlebeachoneline.com. Myrtle Beach Online. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  7. ↑ James Bennett Jr. (April 2, 2016). "Central Florida Jags fall 47-34 to Myrtle Beach Freedom". www.theledger.com. The Lakeland Ledger. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Georgia Firebirds win again". www.albanyhearald.com. Albany Herald. April 11, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  9. ↑ Dana Barker (April 9, 2016). "Lions remain undefeated with another rout". www.ledger-enquirer.com. Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  10. ↑ Nolan Imsande (April 23, 2016). "Change at QB leads Georgia Firebirds to victory". www.albanyhearald.com. Albany Herald. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Columbus Lions tuneup for playoffs with win over Myrtle Beach". www.ledger-enquirer.com. Ledger-Enquirer. May 24, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  12. ↑ Mark Opfermann (June 6, 2016). "Muskegon sports briefs: Ironmen, Mustangs win; Risers fall in soccer". www.mlive.com. MLive Media Group. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.