Wenatchee Valley Venom Explained

Wenatchee Valley Venom
Founded:2009
Folded:2011
City:Town Toyota Center
in Wenatchee, Washington
Colors:Black, red, silver
Coach:Brian Smith
Owner:Daryn Klinginsmith
Rob Tidd
President:Kyle Skalisky
Cheerleaders:Wenatchee Valley Venom Dance Team
League:American Indoor Football Association (2010)
  • West Division (2010)

Indoor Football League

  • Intense Conference (2011)
    • Pacific Division (2011)
Team History:
  • Wenatchee Valley Venom (2010–2011)
No League Champs:0
No Conf Champs:0
No Div Champs:0
No Playoff Appearances:0
Arena Years:

The Wenatchee Valley Venom were a professional indoor football team based in Wenatchee, Washington. The team was most recently a member of the Pacific Division of the Intense Conference of the Indoor Football League (IFL). The Venom were founded in 2009 as an expansion member of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA). The Venom played their home games at Town Toyota Center.

History

On June 15, 2009, co-owner and general manager Mark Helm announced that the Wenatchee Valley Venom would become an expansion team of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) for the 2010 season.[1] The ownership named Keith Evans the franchise's first head coach and assistant general manager.[2] In January, 2010, the Venom adding Kyle Skalisky to the ownership group and named him team president.[3] After a 2–5 start, the team fired Keith Evans and named defensive coordinator Brian Smith as the team's interim head coach.[4] On May 28, 2010, ownership removed the interim tag from Smith and he took over as the full-time head coach.[5] Smith guided the Venom to a 6–1 record during the remainder of the season, but the team missed the playoffs.[6] The ownership group announced that the team would be returning for the 2011 season, but were unsure what league the franchise would play in.[7]

On September 11, 2010, the Venom joined the Indoor Football League (IFL) for the 2011 season.[8] The Venom won their IFL debut 45–37 over the Fairbanks Grizzlies.[9] The Venom started 2–0,[10] but followed with a seven-game losing streak.[11] Recently added rookie quarterback Charles Dowdell ended the Venom's losing streak by leading them to a 41–36 victory over the Wyoming Cavalry.[12] The Venom then lost the final four games of the season.[13]

On June 21, 2011 The Venom announced they had ceased operations citing low ticket sales since their debut season in 2010 despite the 8–6 season. Though they moved to the more financially stable IFL for the 2011 season, the team posted a 3–11 record and continued to have issues drawing fans.[14]

Season-by-season results

League championsConference championsDivision championsPlayoff berthLeague leader
SeasonLeagueConferenceDivisionRegular seasonPostseason results
Finish Wins Losses Ties
2010Western 3rd 8 6 0 Did not qualify
2011Intense Pacific 4th 3 11 0 Did not qualify
Totals11 17 0

Personnel

Final roster

All-IFL players

The following Venom players have been named to All-IFL Teams:

  • WR Timothy Simmons (1)

Head coaches

NameTermRegular seasonPlayoffsAwards
W L T Win% W L
Keith Evans 25000
Brian Smith 2010912000

2011 season

Team:Wenatchee Valley Venom
Year:2011
Record:3–11
Division Place:4th Pacific
Coach:Brian Smith
Owner:Daryn Klinginsmith
Rob Tidd
Stadium:Town Toyota Center
1300 Walla Walla Avenue
Wenatchee, WA 98802
Playoffs:Did not qualify
No Nextseason:true

Regular season

WeekDateOpponentResults
ScoreRecord
1 February 27 W 45–37 1–0
2 March 5 W 59–52 2–0
3 March 14 L 19–80 2–1
4 March 19 L 24–52 2–2
5 March 26 Fairbanks Grizzlies L 43–50 2–3
6 Bye
7 April 9 L 63–84 2–4
8 April 17 L 12–51 2–5
9 April 22 L 6–60 2–6
10 April 29 @Fairbanks Grizzlies L 33–78 2–7
11 May 7 W 41–36 3–7
12 May 14 @Tri-Cities Fever L 10–80 3–8
13 May 21 Seattle Timberwolves L 56–66 3–9
14 May 27 @Seattle Timberwolves L 45–61 3–10
15 June 4 Tri-Cities Fever L 52–58 3–11
16 Bye

Standings

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wenatchee gets indoor football team . June 15, 2009 . The Seattle Times . www.seattletimes.com . March 26, 2015.
  2. Web site: Venom coach gets his wide receiver . Brian Adamowsky . June 11, 2013 . The Wenatachee World . www.wenatcheeworld.com . March 26, 2015.
  3. Web site: Wenatchee Valley Venom Announce Addition of New Co-owner, Team President . January 14, 2010 . OurSports Central . www.oursportscentral.com . March 26, 2015.
  4. Web site: Venom Announce Brian Smith as Interim Head Coach . May 10, 2010 . OurSports Central . www.oursportscentral.com . March 26, 2015.
  5. Web site: Interim guy no longer . Brent Stecker . June 9, 2013 . The Wenatachee World . www.wenatcheeworld.com . March 26, 2015.
  6. Web site: Venom end first year on a good note . Brent Stecker . June 9, 2013 . The Wenatachee World . www.wenatcheeworld.com . March 26, 2015.
  7. Web site: Venom coming back for second season . Brent Stecker . June 9, 2013 . The Wenatachee World . www.wenatcheeworld.com . March 26, 2015.
  8. Web site: Venom officially make jump to Indoor Football League . Brian Adamowsky . September 11, 2010 . The Wenatachee World . www.wenatcheeworld.com . March 26, 2015.
  9. Web site: Grizzlies have costly turnovers in open loss to Wenatchee . Renee Thony . February 28, 2011 . Fairbanks Daily News-Miner . www.newsminer.com . March 26, 2015.
  10. Web site: Venom stuns Fever . March 6, 2011 . Tri-City Herald . www.tri-cityherald.com . March 26, 2015.
  11. Web site: Venom skid hits seven . Brent Stecker . June 8, 2013 . The Wenatachee World . www.wenatcheeworld.com . March 26, 2015.
  12. Web site: Venom finally snap seven-game skid . Brent Stecker . June 8, 2013 . The Wenatachee World . www.wenatcheeworld.com . March 26, 2015.
  13. Web site: A tough way to finish . Corey Voegele . June 8, 2013 . The Wenatachee World . www.wenatcheeworld.com . March 26, 2015.
  14. Web site: Venom to sit out 2012 season . Brent Stecker . June 8, 2013 . The Wenatchee World . www.wenatcheeworld.com . March 25, 2015.