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Mesquite Bandits

Mesquite Bandits
FoundedNovember 2011
FoldedJanuary 2012
LeagueLone Star Football League
Based inMesquite, Texas
ArenaResistol Arena
ColorsGreen, black, gray, white
       
OwnerDavid Hawkins
Head coachRodney Blackshear

The Mesquite Bandits indoor football club was a charter member of the Lone Star Football League (LSFL) that was scheduled to begin play for its 2012 inaugural season. Based in Mesquite, Texas, the Bandits would have played their home games at the Resistol Arena, home of the famous Mesquite Championship Rodeo. Citing financial and organizational issues, the LSFL revoked the team's franchise in January 2012.

History

The LSFL announced the Mesquite Bandits as the eighth franchise set to play in the league's inaugural season. Under the ownership of David Hawkins and leadership of general manager Steve Gander, the Bandits promised an "experienced coaching staff, great players, and a knowledgeable front office staff" as well as "family-oriented events that will be enjoyable for all ages".[1][2] On December 5, 2011, the team named former professional football player Louis Fite as its inaugural head coach.[3] The team also announced that player tryouts would be held on December 17, 2011.[3] In early January 2012, veteran coach Rodney Blackshear was named to replace Fite as head coach and Michelle Mitchell replaced Gander as general manager.

When the LSFL announced its 2012 regular season schedule on December 15, 2011, Mesquite was set to play 12 games over 14 weeks with home games against the Laredo Rattlesnakes, Amarillo Venom, Rio Grande Valley Magic, Corpus Christi Hammerheads, Abilene Bombers, Houston Stallions, and away games against Houston, Abilene, Laredo, Rio Grande Valley, Corpus Christi, and the West Texas Roughnecks.[4]

At the LSFL's league meetings in mid-January 2012, the league determined that the Mesquite franchise had "not established infrastructure to support the team for the entire 2012 season" and, after a brief investigation, revoked the team's membership in the league.[5] The LSFL had hoped to find a new ownership group to field a Mesquite franchise for the 2013 season but that search was later abandoned.

In January 2013, former Bandits owner David Hawkins was charged wire fraud and operating a Ponzi scheme by the United States Attorney for the District of Colorado.[6][7] He pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering and one count of wire fraud in March 2013.[8][9]

Schedule

Week Day Date Opponent[4] Location
1 Saturday March 31 Laredo Rattlesnakes Resistol Arena
2 Saturday April 7 Amarillo Venom Resistol Arena
3 Saturday April 14 at Houston Stallions Leonard E. Merrell Center
4 Saturday April 21 Rio Grande Valley Magic Resistol Arena
5 Saturday April 28 at Abilene Bombers Taylor County Expo Center
6 BYE
7 Saturday May 12 Corpus Christi Hammerheads Resistol Arena
8 Saturday May 19 at West Texas Roughnecks Ector County Coliseum
9 Sunday May 27 at Laredo Rattlesnakes Laredo Energy Arena
10 Monday June 4 at Rio Grande Valley Magic State Farm Arena
11 Monday June 11 Abilene Bombers Resistol Arena
12 Monday June 18 Houston Stallions Resistol Arena
13 Monday June 25 at Corpus Christi Hammerheads American Bank Center
14 BYE

References

  1. ^ "Mesquite Bandits Become Official Charter Member Of Lone Star Football League". Our Sports Central. November 16, 2011. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  2. ^ Mutasa, Tammy (December 6, 2011). "Mesquite Rodeo to Get Arena Football; Mesquite Bandits will call the rodeo home". Dallas, TX: KXAS-TV. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Mesquite Bandits Name Louis Fite Head Coach". Our Sports Central. December 5, 2011. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "LSFL Regular Season Schedule Announced". Our Sports Central. December 15, 2011. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  5. ^ "Mesquite Bandits Membership Revoked". Our Sports Central. January 30, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  6. ^ Heilman, Wayne (January 4, 2013). "Former El Paso County deputy charged in alleged Ponzi scheme". The Gazette. Colorado Springs, CO: Clarity Media Group. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  7. ^ "Danville indoor-football owner charged in Colorado over Ponzi scheme". The News-Gazette. Champaign, IL: Professional Impressions Media Group. January 5, 2013. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  8. ^ Harmon, Kenneth (March 20, 2013). "Former El Paso County Deputy Sheriff Pleads Guilty As Part Of Ponzi Scheme". Denver, CO: The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  9. ^ Harrison, Wayne (March 20, 2013). "Former El Paso County deputy pleads guilty in Ponzi scheme". Denver, CO: KMGH-TV. Archived from the original on October 13, 2013. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
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