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Wichita fans get ready... this is indoor football like you've never seen before! While indoor pro football has been around for awhile, the Wichita Wild feel like they are starting over with a new era. A new era that includes a new coach, a new arena and lots of new faces on the field.  

“Wink Hartman (owner) has done everything he can do to improve our team, our situation and increase our chances of winning,” said longtime General Manager Mike McCoy. “Building Hartman Arena was huge, and then getting Ken Matous (pronounced may-tosh), an arena football veteran as our head coach, he’s got lots of experience in indoor football, as well as major college experience.”

The Wichita Wild kick-off their home schedule on April 4 against the Sioux Falls Storm at 7:05 p.m. This will give fans their first glimpse of the new arena and a new football roster.

“We’ve rebuilt this football team from last year,” said Matous, who is excited to be back home in Kansas. The Hutchinson native has criss-crossed the country coaching various teams over the last 26 years before making his way back to Wichita. His first task was playing architect in order to rebuild a roster that could compete and win. “They didn’t have much success and we brought in kids from all over and established a new identity for this football team.”  

That combined with a new stadium will create a new look and feel for this year’s Wichita Wild. And, they are ready for Wichita fans to take notice, even those who aren’t familiar with the sport.

McCoy believes that arena football takes all the great things the outdoor game has to offer and condenses it indoors. Creating the fast dynamics of arena football is the 50 yard-long field which creates high scoring games and big-time hits. “The hits and collisions are phenomenal. In an indoor game, there is no place to hide,” said McCoy, who also expects to lose about 35 footballs in the stand, because fans are so close to the action. “We say if you catch a football, you get to keep it, but if you catch a player, you have to throw him back,” laughed McCoy.

Not only is indoor football fast-paced and entertaining, but the entertainment value for the entire night starts from the moment fans walk into the stadium.   From the in-game promotions to the rock-and-roll music and the dance team on the field, it is an atmosphere that will keep fans entertained from start to finish. “I like to say if you look at your shoes at some point, you will miss something because there is always something going on,” said McCoy. “The excitement is incredible.”  

After spending time meticulously putting this team together, Matous is also ready to see what this team can do. His goal is simple, to win everything and compete for a championship. “There are a lot of building blocks and stumbling blocks that you have to go over,” he said.  “I hope they (the fans) see an exciting brand of football.” And if it is up to Matous, that is exactly what the fans will see this year.

The Wild are scheduled to host seven home games this season, ending their season on July 3rd against the Alaska Wild at home.  Season tickets start at $98 and individual tickets range from $10 to $25.  Group rates are available.

In McCoy’s ten years in the front office, he has been with four different teams and four different leagues, but he believes this is the best it can be. “We’ve hired the best coach and the best players.”  Combined with a new arena and fresh excitement surrounding the Wichita Wild, it is the place to be.  “It’s a new everything,” exclaims McCoy.