Rocky Mountain Thunder

Indoor Professional Football League (1999)

Tombstone

Born: 1999
Folded: Postseason 1999

First Game: April 10, 1999 (W 38-37 @ Idaho Stallions)
Last Game: August 7, 1999 (L 35-28 @ Mississippi Fire Dogs)

IPFL Championships: None

Arena

Colorado Springs World Arena (7,500)¹
Opened: 1998

Marketing

Team Colors: Royal Blue, Silver & Black²

Ownership

Owners: Tom Schafer, Harvey Rothenberg, Dale Fritson & Don Bush

Background

The Rocky Mountain Thunder was an indoor football team based in Colorado Springs, Colorado that played one season in the Indoor Professional Football League (IPFL) during the summer of 1999. The IPFL was a small league of just six members that season, with other franchises in Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Players were primarily local guys and paychecks were modest at $200 per game.

The team played at the $59 million World Arena, which had opened just a year earlier.

One and Done

After a 4-1 start to the 1999 IPFL season, the Thunder dropped ten of their final eleven games to finish in last place with a 5-11 record.

Running back Darnell Brooks was a bright spot, leading the IPFL in rushing yards (651), touchdowns (24) and total scoring (148 points). Brooks, defensive back Bucky Logan and placekicker John Heffelfinger were named to the IPFL’s post-season All-Star team.

After playing their final game in August of 1999, the Thunder quietly disbanded during the offseason. The IPFL itself went out of business following the 2001 season.