WS Chronicle

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY 

THE CHRONICLE

For the 2016 season, the Winston Wildcats indoor football team played its home games in the Winston-Salem fairgrounds Annex.  The Wildcats played four home games and averaged about 800 fans per game.  The team finished the year with a 3-5 record overall.

The Wildcats were a part of the American Indoor Football League, which had existed for nearly 20 years.  At the end of the season the league made the decision to cease operations for the 2017 season, leaving the Wildcats without a league.

According to team owner Roderick Hinton, it was a shock to him and all of the teams in the league.

So, without a league to play in, the team will be idle as the owners look for a new league that is suitable for them.

In the meantime, the team will play one exhibition game at the annex in 2017.  No definitive date has been set for the event.

Hinton said he wanted to have one exhibition game during the spring to make sure the fans know that they didn’t abandon them.

Hinton says he got involved with the formation of the Wildcats when a friend of his wanted to put a team in the city but he was unable to do so.  Hinton felt that if he could “tweek” his plan a little and speak to the right people, he just may be able to make it a reality.

“I got the chance to speak with some city officials and some local business owners and I was able to bring a product to Winston-Salem that looks good,” said Hinton.  “The greatest support has been the city of Winston-Salem and the use of the venue.”

The Wildcats play an Arena league style of indoor football similar to the Arena Football League that is shown on television.  Hinton says he owes much of this to the players and their dedication to the team and the sport.

When asked why people should come out and watch the Wildcats, he said, “Come out and enjoy how you’re able to be as close to the players as you are.  You’re able to actually touch a player sitting right next to the field, so people really like the player involvement.”

According to Hinton, the team has 30 players, with 21 dressing on game day. The Lady Wildcat dance team will be out in the community while the team is idle this season.

Hinton also wanted to thank the team sponsors that have helped the team along the way, such as Bojangles, 4 Brothers Convenience Stores, Enterprise Rental of Winston-Salem, Revamp Contemporary Dance Studio, FastMed Urgent Care, Health 1st Chiropractic and D1 Sports Training, to name a few.

Hinton says the heart of the team is the players, and he cares about the experience of the fans.

“The branding, the product is my signature, whether it’s good or bad, and I like to stay involved with the fans,” Hinton said.  “When a fan has a concern, they will reach out to the team and I’m the one who will answer it.  It tells me how I need to change the product because the product is a part of Winston-Salem.”

For more information of the Winston Wildcats contact them at winstonwildcats@gmail.com or proindoorfootball@gmail.com.