Football has been called " America 's Passion" by National Football League (NFL) Hall of Famer Howie Long.  The NFL and Arena Football League (AFL) continue to expand its fan base year after year. Semi-pro football is known as a recreational league throughout the country but there are many out to prove the critics wrong.

The Madison Mustangs, of Madison , Wisconsin , are a part of the Ironman Football League.  The Ironman Football League (IFL) was founded in 1996 by Chris Chudada of Pewaukee , Wisconsin . The IFL is comprised of 13 teams, 11 in Wisconsin and two in northern Illinois , and is a Triple A semi-pro football league. 

The Mustangs are a revival of the former team that played from 1964 to 1974 as part of the Central States Football League.  The league was comprised of 10 teams.  The Mustangs were owned by Joe Cerniglia and John Fox. The Mustangs hooked Madison right off the bat getting 6,000 to attend their first ever game at Warner Park.  They ended their 11-year run with an overall record of 105 wins, 33 losses, 3 ties, including playoff games, and 3 Central States Football League Championships.    

The current Madison Mustangs were taken over by Robert Gingras of Madison in 2006 when the team was known as the Verona Trojans. After the 2006 season Gingras decided to rename them the Madison Mustangs to bring back the old days of semi-pro football in Madison .

Attendance at the games has been a bit of a hard sell with it being a summer league and competing with a cross town minor league baseball team, the Madison Mallards.  Gingras was hoping to draw around a 1,000 people a game but so far they have only been drawing about 400.  For a football crazy town with the University of Wisconsin Badgers in its backyard, it has been disappointing to say the least.

Semi-pro football sometimes has the impression around the country as a "beer league", or a bunch of "Saturday morning warriors", but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Most of the Mustangs roster is comprised of guys who played college football and the IFL as a whole has grown in size and competition level with players from local colleges. The competition level at the Mustangs tryouts this year was so good 12 players from last year's team were cut. 

Adam Smith, Director of Football Operations for the Mustangs, has been able to sign five former University of Wisconsin football players, and the Mustangs have had three players sign professional contracts: WR Reggie Davis (Milwaukee Bonecrushers - CIFL), QB Luke Zetazate (Tulsa Talons - AFL2), and DE Brenden Osuocha (Green Bay Blizzards - AFL2).  

Gingras and Smith gave me the opportunity to meet with them and attend their home games.  Before one of the games, I met with a few of the players.  Center Cory Geise, a former Fond du Lac Crusaders (IFL) All-conference player, played college football at Mesabi College and currently works as a Cheesemaker and coaches football in small town team near Fond du Lac .  Geise, who drives from Fond du Lac to Madison to play, said that it used to be true ironman football, nine on nine and playing on both sides of the ball, but that has all changed in the years he has played. 

Wide receiver Reggie Davis played his high school football in Madison and collegiately at UW-Platteville.  He loves football and being able to play in front of his hometown and friends.  Another thing he enjoys is playing along-side his younger brother, Chris, who is eight years younger and a wide receiver.  They never had the opportunity to play growing up and it's brought them closer together.  Chris, 19, is one of the youngest on the Mustangs, and also attends a local technical college where he is also a member of the basketball team.

Strong safety Zak "Flash" Gordon personifies his nickname.  Zak is known through the IFL as one of the hardest hitting safeties and a great return man.  He joined the team to play with his friends.  Defensive tackle Clint Ripp is a landscaper who spent six and a half years in the Marine Corps.  He writes five initials on his forehead before every game in remembrance of the five members of his infantry unit who lost their lives in battle for our freedom overseas.     

Free safety Jackson Clerveaux has been with the Mustangs for five years and has had tryouts with the New Orleans Voodoo of the AFL and New Orleans Saints of the NFL.  A native of Florida , he played his college ball at two small state colleges in Wisconsin and still dreams of playing professionally.

Going into the last game of the year, the Mustangs are undefeated with a record of 8-0.  They have been defeating their opponents by an average of 50 points a game.  With their win this past week, 91-0 over the New Berlin Panthers, they tied an IFL record for points scored in a game and set a new record for margin of victory. The Mustangs have their eyes on the prize, the Ironbowl XII Trophy.  With their great combination of administration, coaches, players, sponsors, and support off the field, it looks like the Mustangs have a great chance to accomplish their goal.

As you can see the Madison Mustangs have their share of stories, most like any other semi-pro team in America, which makes the entire spectacle that much more enticing. At this level of football you're able to get closer to the players. You're able to touch them, talk to them, and have a greater sense of connection because you know when they go home like you they have to go to their "real job" the next day. Most of the players are from the local area so you may have been able to watch them grow up or even played against them. It is everything that the NFL isn't-there's no barrier between you and the team you support and cheer for. You don't have to pay for parking or those outrageous prices at the concession stands. Semi-pro football, including the Madison Mustangs, is a great, cost-effective family outing. You can find out the latest news, updates, contact information, or just follow the Mustangs and the rest of the IFL at www.madisonmustangsfootball.com or www.ironmanfootballleague.com

A special "thank you" to Adam Smith, Director of Football Operations, for all his help on this article.