‘This is going to be a Nebraska team’ Grand Island brings back Arena Football

GRAND ISLAND, Neb.— Arena football is returning to Grand Island and will be using a name the state hasn't seen before. 

 

Nebraska Siege will be the new name of the franchise in The Arena League. The logo featuring a Sandhill Crane wearing an aviation cap.

 

The committee that brought back Arena Football in Grand Island chose the name based on what they believed the people of Grand Island represented. 

 

"The brand that we selected was what the community wanted and it encapsulates this area, the trust that's here in this community, the excitement around this community and the heritage," said General Manager Matthew Caward. "It represents all of those things and one of the hardest working communities in Nebraska and one of the hardest working states in the country. 

 

Matthew Caward was also announced as General Manager at Thursday's event. Caward will be in charge of hiring the Siege’s head coach and overseeing activity. 

 

While this isn’t the first Arena Football league in Grand Island, league owner and CEO Jeff Holmes, is excited to see this combination of sports take on Grand Island once again. 

 

"It's hockey, football and all-star wrestling mixed into one sport, said Holmes. "It's very entertaining and we're very excited to get it going."

 

The team had also created an interactive fan contest to guess the team name prior to the event with a hint from a riddle. Only one person guessed the name correctly and won tickets to a home game. 

 

The Siege’s home field will be in the Heartland Events Center and their first game will be on May 30 against Memphis.