2010 was a year of “firsts” for the Nighthawks. First professional football team in Omaha, first expansion team for the United Football League, first sell out in UFL history and the first full season sell out streak. 2011 is gearing up to be an even better year with more firsts and more innovations and here is a look at what your Omaha Nighthawks have in store for this season.
New Head Coach and Coaching Staff
In January Joe Moglia was named Head Coach and team President of the Omaha Nighthawks. Moglia brings a wealth of experience from both the football and financial world to the team. And while his entire coaching staff is also new this year, they are not lacking in experience. There is an estimated 320 years of combined experience amongst the staff covering all levels of football from high school to NFL.
New Players
While there are many returning favorites from last season like Maurice Clarett, Shaud Williams and Stu Schweigert, 2011 will bring many rookies and first time UFL players to the team such as Jamie Cumbie, D.J. Jones and Reynaldo Hill. Many of these players were added during the UFL’s draft on May 2, which was conducted entirely on Twitter.
New Stadium
It was announced on May 25 that the team signed their lease with MECA to play in the newly built TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Highlights of the new stadium include open concourses, extended leg room between rows, self-dimming lights and a quick draining field. The stadium seats 24,000 people and is currently the newest and most advanced stadium in the UFL.
While the stadium is brand new, Nighthawk fans will still be able to have the same action packed experience as last year. Parking lots will open three hours before kick-off for tailgating and will remain open for 90 minutes after the game is over. The UFL Experience, an area with activities for children will be adjacent to the stadium in parking Lot C. Also located in Lot C will be the VIP Parking Area with memberships available for purchase on a single game or season basis.
Pregame and half time entertainment will also be making a return, this year pulling from local and regional talent.
Tickets remain affordable, making a Nighthawks game the perfect outing for everyone. Individual game tickets start at just $15, or $60 for the entire season.
For tickets or more information on any of these items please call the Nighthawks ticket office at 402-403-3776.
First Game on a Sunday
The Nighthawks open their season on the road against Sacramento on August 14. This will be the first Sunday game in UFL history. Their first two games at home will also be played on Sundays, August 21 and September 18. The remaining home games will be Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 15.
Continued Traditions
The UFL is a league of opportunities and accessibility and that also applies to the fans. Practices are always open to the public, with times and locations posted daily for training camp and in season. Many players, coaches and staff members are on Twitter, giving fans an inside look at everything from meals with the team to shots from the sidelines during a game. Contests are held on the team’s Facebook and Twitter accounts with innovative prizes such as a chance to have dinner with General Manager Rick Mueller or joining the entire team at the team’s practice facility, the Kroc Center for lunch.
You can follow the team on Twitter at http://twitter.com/OmahaNighthawks and become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/OmahaNighthawks.
Continued on from last year is the Salvation Army Kroc Center serving as the home of the Omaha Nighthawks. The players practice, eat and have their meetings at the facility. New this year is a freshly laid turf field and a newly constructed locker room.
The Nighthawks continue to give back to the community. More important this year than ever with the continued threat of flooding to Omaha and it’s surrounding communities. The team has aided the Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army’s fundraising efforts and recently helped the with city’s sandbagging efforts at Levi Carter Park.
An important part of any sports team is a good radio partnership and the Nighthawks are excited to continue that relationship with 1620 The Zone. They will be the team’s flagship radio station this year, broadcasting all games as well as a weekly show.
And most importantly, there are the fans. Omaha embraced the Nighthawks as their team last year, and this year is proving to be no different. Nighthawks fans are the loudest, proudest fans in the UFL. Whether it is a fan wearing Nighthawks gear at a concert or the over 20 thousand fans on Facebook, Nighthawks Nation is holding strong.
New Mission
The Nighthawks are not just about winning games. The entire organization is dedicated to being the most physical and poised team out there. They will be the epitome of what a sports franchise should be. And, above all else, they will make Omaha proud.
Contact the Omaha Nighthawks at 402.403.3776, online at www.omahanighthawks.com, facebook at http://www.facebook.com/OmahaNighthawks and/or on twitter at http://twitter.com/OmahaNighthawks.