Racine Raiders



The Racine Raiders American football club is a MidStates Football League team based in Racine, Wisconsin. Founded in 1953, they are the oldest Minor League Football team in Wisconsin (United States) that is still in existence. The team joined the MSFL for the 2010 season. The Raiders were the first minor league football team to gain 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit status from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Organization is composed entirely of Volunteers.
 * Helmet Design: Silver background with a cowboy bandit in black with a half and half bandanna of cardinal and black on a white circular background in a triple circular outline of silver, cardinal and black

President: Bob Milkie

VP - GM: Bob Marcado

Head Coach: Jordan Kopac

Summary
Wigs Konicek, a local restaurateur at the time, started the Racine Raiders in 1953. The team began in the Bi-States Football League (BSFL) and won their first league championship in 1954.

The team was able to sustain itself until 1975 when it disbanded. Athough the did not field a team for the 1976 and 1977 season, they remained organized for those seasons. New owners started the Racine Gladiators in 1978. They paid players and were successful on the field, winning three National Championships. Unfortunately, the team fell on hard times and disbanded in 1985.

In 1986, Bob Milkie, a retired bearing company executive, Joe Mooney, a police sergeant, Jess Levin, a local banker, and others rebuilt the team, this time as community-owned, non-profit organization.

Perhaps the biggest moment in the team's history, as well as that of minor league football, came in 1989 when the team traveled to Ottawa, Canada, to play in a World Championship game. While the team won the game in five degree weather and a blizzard, just playing the game was the important element. The team was now able to apply for, and received, 501(c)3 Not-For-Profit status from the Internal Revenue Service, setting the tone for dozens of minor league football teams since to be able to do the same.

The Raiders have won seven National Championships and have had nearly a dozen players with National Football League (NFL) experience. They also have 26 players, coaches or staff in the American Football Association (AFA) Hall of Fame, more than any other team.

Head Coach

 * Jordan Kopac - Head Coach

Offensive Coaches

 * Matt Nelson - Offensive Coordinator
 * Nick Aiello - Running Backs
 * Arnie Garber - Offensive Line

Defensive Coaches

 * Alex Powell - Defensive Coordinator
 * Wilbert Kennedy - Defensive Line
 * Pedro Trevino -Defensive Backs

Special Teams Coaches

 * Vacant - Special Teams Coordinator