Topeka Tropics
Current season
Established 2021
Play in Stormont Vail Events Center
in Topeka, Kansas
TopekaTropics.com
League/conference affiliations
Current uniform
Team colorsTeal, orange, and tan
     
Personnel
Owner(s)TCB Consulting LLC - Trevor Burdett, Chad Logan, Josh Barr
Head coachKerry Locklin
Team history
  • Topeka Tropics (2022–present)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (0)
Home arena(s)

The Topeka Tropics are a professional indoor football based in Topeka, Kansas, and play their home games at the Stormont Vail Events Center. The Tropics compete in the National Arena League (NAL). The team originally folded after its inaugural 2022 season, but was renewed under new ownership before the 2023 season. The Tropics are the third indoor football team to be based in Topeka following the Topeka Knights/Kings (1999–2000) and the Kansas Koyotes (2003–2014).

History

On August 9, 2021, Champions Indoor Football (CIF) announced an expansion team to be based in Topeka for the 2022 season with Sioux City Bandits' owner J. R. Bond serving as the team's owner.[1] After a name-the-team contest was held, the Tropics name, logo, and color scheme were unveiled on September 8. Although Topeka does not have a tropical climate and is roughly 790 miles from the closest sea (the Gulf of Mexico), Bond chose the unusual name to symbolize how unconventional the Tropics organization would be both on and off the field.[2] On October 5, the Tropics announced former Arena Football League player Tyus Jackson as its inaugural head coach.[3] The team did not win a regular season game, posting a record of 0–10 in their first season. On August 25, 2022, the Tropics announced that they would cease operations and not return for a second season;[4] however, this decision was reversed later that same year after new local ownership was found.[5][6]

In July 2023, the Tropics announced they were leaving the CIF for a new league along with the Omaha Beef and Sioux City Bandits.[7] The joined the National Arena League (NAL) for the 2024 season on September 14.[8] They also announced Kerry Locklin as their new head coach.[9]

Season-by-season results

League champions Playoff berth League leader
Season League Regular season Postseason results
FinishWinsLosses
2022 CIF 8th 0 10 Did not qualify
2023 CIF 7th 1 9 Did not qualify
2024 NAL 0 0
Totals 119All-time regular season record
00All-time postseason record
119All-time regular season and postseason record

Current roster

Topeka Tropics roster
Quarterbacks
  • -- Tevyn Harmon
  • -- Josh Hollins

Running backs

  • -- Jalen Conwell
  • -- Kamari Pleasant

Wide receivers

  • -- Gary Fuller
  • -- Isaiah Robinson
  • -- AJ Ryan
 Offensive linemen
  • -- Justin Gowan
  • -- Elyjah Lipscomb
  • -- Gavin Tobert

Defensive linemen

  • -- Raveon Hoston
  • -- Howard Newsome III
  • -- Jon'Mae Wafford
 Linebackers
  • -- Orlando Brown

Defensive backs

  • -- Marquis Adams
  • -- Carelle Hill
  • -- Tymon Locklin
  • -- Tad Onwu
  • -- Ky Von Smith

Special teams

  • -- Patrick Baki
 Reserve lists
  • Currently vacant
  • Rookies in italics
  • Roster updated January 3, 2024
  • 20 Active, 0 Inactive

→ More rosters

Staff

Topeka Tropics staff
Front office
  • Owner – Trevor Burdett
  • Owner – Josh Barr
  • Owner – Chad Logan
  • General manager – TBD

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

  • TBD
 Defensive coaches
  • TBD



Head coaches

Name Tenure Regular season Playoffs Awards
W L Win% W L
Tyus Jackson 2022–2023 1 19 .050 0 0
Kerry Locklin 2024–present 0 0 – 0 0

References

  1. ↑ "Champions Indoor Football League Adds New Team for 2022". August 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  2. ↑ Campbell, Marleah (September 8, 2021). "Topeka's new indoor football team reveals name". WIBW-TV. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Topeka Tropics Owner J.R. Bond has announced the hiring of Tyus Jackson as the team's inaugural head coach". Topeka Tropics Facebook. October 5, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Tropics not returning to Topeka for 2023 season". August 25, 2022.
  5. ↑ Lovergine, Vince (September 28, 2022). "Topeka Tropics to return in 2023". www.wibw.com. WIBW-TV. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  6. ↑ "TROPICS STAY IN TOPEKA". Topeka Tropics. February 2, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Sioux City Bandits leaving the Champions Indoor Football League". KTIV. July 26, 2023.
  8. ↑ "NATIONAL ARENA LEAGUE EXPANSION CONTINUES IN KANSAS". NAL. September 14, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Former NFL coach joins Topeka Tropics". KSNT. September 15, 2023.
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