American Football Club Luzern Lions

Foundation history

The foundation history of the American Football Club Lucerne Lions is a typical history of a new founded team, with many ups and downs. In July 2007 a small group came together, with the goal to establish an American Football Club in Lucerne. The first step was taken on the 6th of September 2007, when the official foundation took place. Since the beginning they are trying to develop a solid infrastructure, do participate in the championship of the Swiss B League and do take the complicated sport serious. The most important tasks, for example putting together a competitive team, organizing training facilities and the preparations to participate in the championship were taken on by Dario Procopio and his comittee. Back then, the head coach was the only one who actually knew the game of American Football. But neither him, nor anybody else had any experience in founding a new team. Therefore it was a long learning process for this indeed very young team and a valuable experience for every single member.

Thanks to an article about the foundation, published in the popular newspaper "20 Minuten", the Lions didn't had to worry about having enough players. However, the first tackle training showed the approximately 40 beginners that American Football is a rough sport. As a result, half of these players quit and it became clear that this sport demands dedication.

During the first season, Dario Procopio chose to retire and Ari Bühlmann took over the job as president. A year after, due to underestimation of the financial and temporal commitments, a new committee had to be elected with Dr. Manfred Donné as its president. This new and highly motivated committee is ready to take on the challenge and clear the way for a successful and bright future.

The Lucerne Lions, do consider themselves as a social project. Which is the main reason, why they were able to convince the swiss-american Delmus Pinkston to become their head-coach. In Lucerne, and especially downstream of the river Reuss, do life many young citizens with a migration background. The Lions want to use their potential positively, integrate them into the club and into the society of Lucerne. What's more, they want to convey them appropriate behavior and a sense of fellowship. This isn't always that easy, but the team proved their unity, when they catched a moped-thief who unfortunatly chose to steal the moped of a member of the Lucerne Lions. The magazin „Schweizer Familie“ devoted a full page to this story. This unity is not only apparent during games, when the whole team wears the uniform. But also on road games, when everybody is dressed in black pants, a white shirt and a blue tie – our official colours.

The communication often fascinates outsiders, as it is a mix between high german, swiss german and (american) english.