East Iowa Storm Ready For Inaugural Season [Audio]

The Cedar Valley's newest football team is preparing to start its inaugural season on May 30, 2015.

The East Iowa Storm is a semi-professional club that will play six home games at Leinbaugh Field, the high school stadium in Independence. The Storm features a roster of 40 players, half of whom are from Waterloo. Most of the other players are from Cedar Falls, Denver, Dike, Dysart, Evansdale, Independence and Nashua.

Team officials are giving the public a chance meet the players and learn more about the Storm. East Iowa is hosting a meet-and-greet event at Leinbaugh Field from 3 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, along with an hour-long scrimmage afterward. There is no charge to attend the event.

Storm players and coaches will be on hand to meet fans, explain what semi-pro football is all about, and talk about East Iowa's goals for the first season. T-Shirts, hats and game tickets will be available for purchase at the event.

Saturday's event comes one week before the Storm kick-off their inaugural season on May 30 with a road game against the Omaha Outlaws in Ralston, Neb. East Iowa's home opener is scheduled for June 6 at 6 p.m. against the Midwest Titans of North Kansas City, Mo.

The Storm will play a 12-game regular-season schedule in the Midwest Football League, a two-division circuit made up 14 teams stretching from Iowa to Oklahoma. With the exception of July 4, East Iowa will play games on consecutive Saturday's through Aug. 22. Post-season playoff games, including the league championship, are scheduled in September.

For tickets, team schedule and other information, click on the Storm's website at www.eastiowastorm.com.

Find out more about the East Iowa Storm from Head Coach Tim Cummings and Business Manager Ryan Richmond by listening to the audio below: