Wichita B-52s

The Wichita B-52s was an American professional indoor soccer team based in Wichita, Kansas. Founded in July 2013, the team made its debut in the Professional Arena Soccer League with the 2013–14 season under head coach Larry Inlow. After beginning the 2014–15 season under Jeff Kraft, Kim Roentved was named head coach in December 2014.[2] The team played its home games at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kansas.[3] In August 2015, the team announced it would not be participating in the 2015–16 MASL season.

Wichita B-52s
Founded2013
GroundHartman Arena
Wichita, Kansas
Capacity5,000
Owner/PresidentJoseph Pindell[1]
Head CoachKim Roentved[2]
LeagueMajor Arena Soccer League
2014–154th, Central Division
Playoffs: DNQ
WebsiteClub website

History

In June 2013, the Wichita Wings of the MISL folded but a successor corporation named FC Wichita LLC announced their intention to join the PASL for the 2013–14 season.[4] The name and home arena for the Wichita, Kansas, based team were not immediately announced.[5][6] On July 10, the team announced that it secured a lease at Hartman Arena but now planned to delay joining the PASL until the 2014–15 season.[7][8]

On July 23, the PASL announced that a different ownership group had secured a Hartman Arena lease and the franchise to play in Wichita for the 2013–14 season.[9][10] On August 22, team owner Joseph Pindell announced that it will play as the "Wichita B-52s" to honor the city's aviation heritage.[1][11] (More than 700 Boeing B-52 Stratofortress aircraft were built in Wichita.) The team's blue and orange official colors reflect the colors of the original Wichita Wings.[12][13] Indoor soccer veteran Jeff Kraft served as head coach for the first five games of the 2014–15 season.[3][8][11] He was replaced on an interim basis by former assistant coach Darin Smith.[14]

Kim Roentved, former professional soccer player and former head coach of the Missouri Comets indoor soccer team, was named in October 2014 to be the Director of Operations for the Wichita B-52s. Roentved was also a fan favorite player when he played for the Wichita Wings. On December 2, 2014, the team elevated him to head coach.[2]

In May 2015, local media reported that some players and staff had worked the previous season without pay, some checks written by the team to vendors had bounced, and that the team owed Hartman Arena approximately $2,000.[15] Team owner Joey Pindell told KWCH-DT that the "B-52's are experiencing some struggles" but that he was working with MASL officials to resolve their issues.[16] In August 2015, the team it would not be participating in the 2015–16 MASL season.

Year-by-year
League champions Runners-up Division champions* Playoff berth
Year League Reg. season GF GA Pct Finish Playoffs Avg. attendance
2013–14PASL7–991113.4384th, CentralDid not qualify1,650
2014–15MASL10–10135144.5004th, CentralDid not qualify1,463

References
  1. Bates, Jenn (August 22, 2013). "New professional soccer team coming to Wichita". Wichita, KS: KWCH-TV. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  2. Seminoff, Kirk (December 2, 2014). "Kim Roentved returns to sideline to coach B-52s indoor soccer team". The Wichita Eagle. Wichita, KS: The McClatchy Company. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  3. Lutz, Jeffrey (November 1, 2013). "Wichita's new soccer team deep with local ties". The Wichita Eagle. Wichita, KS: The McClatchy Company. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  4. "Local Business Owner Unveils Plans to Keep Professional Soccer in Wichita". Our Sports Central. June 4, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  5. Lutz, Jeffrey (June 3, 2013). "New pro soccer team could come in Professional Arena Soccer League". The Wichita Eagle. Wichita, KS: The McClatchy Company. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  6. Cerullo, Jared (June 3, 2013). "Professional Indoor Soccer To Continue In Wichita". Wichita, KS: KAKE. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  7. "FC Wichita – July 10 at 9:53pm". Facebook. July 10, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  8. Chadwick, Joanna (August 22, 2013). "Indoor soccer team will be called the B-52s". The Wichita Eagle. Wichita, KS: The McClatchy Company. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  9. "PASL Secures Deal to Keep Wichita Indoor Soccer at Hartman Arena This Winter". Our Sports Central. July 23, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  10. Schnabel, Mark (July 24, 2013). "New indoor soccer team coming to Wichita". The Newton Kansan. Newton, KS: GateHouse Media. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  11. "Wichita's New Soccer Team To Be Called The B-52s". Wichita, KS: KAKE-TV. August 22, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  12. "New soccer team takes off in Wichita". KSNW. August 22, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  13. "Wichita B-52s Take Off for PASL". Our Sports Central. August 22, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  14. "B-52s Look to Rebuild" (Press release). Wichita, KS: Wichita B-52s. November 26, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  15. Seabrook, Lauren (May 21, 2015). "FF12: Passion trumps profit for B-52 soccer players". Wichita, KS: KWCH-DT. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  16. Seabrook, Lauren (May 20, 2015). "FF12: B-52 soccer team not paying players, staff, vendors". Wichita, KS: KWCH-DT. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
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