It's one of the fondest memories of growing up that I have.  My family started going to Wings soccer games in 1979.  After that, we were hooked.  We held season tickets from 1980 until the day they folded.  At the time, the Wichita Wings were the longest-running professional indoor soccer franchise in all of North America.  They were in business for 22 years.

Here's a trivia question:  Whoever emails me first with the current longest-running professional indoor soccer franchise in North America, I'll give you a "Jay said it would" umbrella.  jared.cerullo@kake.com

My dad, a guy who hates lines and hates having to walk to get ANYWHERE, would walk a mile to get to his seat.  And, quite honestly, I would have, too.  In the early days, we would often visit the after-game parties at The Hatch.  Does anyone else remember that?

One funny memory I have was that I never really aspired to be one of the players when I was a kid.  The man down by the field that was my idol was a guy by the name of JB Johnson.  He was the public address announcer for the Wings for many years.  That was the guy I wanted to be.  And it was a huge joy for me when I became the backup PA announcer in the late 90's after JB left and Don Hall took over.  Don would probably laugh, but I would highlight all of the nights on my calendar when there would be a Wings game and a Shocker basketball game on the same night.  Don's allegiance was with the Shockers, so that meant I would be working the microphone for the Wings.

While I worked in radio, I always jumped at the chance to cover a Wings game.  I mean, how much better can it get to be paid to go to a game of the sport you love, the team you love, and be able to interview the players?

Those were the good ol' days.  I'll always remember them.  I'll never understand why a community that often complains of a lack of things to do quit supporting the team.

UPDATE:  I've had a lot of guesses to my trivia question above already, but none are correct.  So keep looking!  Several people are claiming that the answer is the Kansas City Comets, but they can't be considered "longest-running" because the team folded in 1991.  Then the Atlanta Attack, an already established organization, moved to Kansas City to play in the NPSL the next year, eventually revisiting the Comets nickname in 2001 and folding for good in 2005.

UPDATE #2:  Congratulations to Brad Remington, of Wichita, for coming up with the correct answer.  The Milwaukee Wave is the oldest continuously running professional indoor soccer organization in North America.  They began playing in the American Indoor Soccer League in 1984, eventually joining the National Professional Soccer League, and now playing the Major Indoor Soccer League.  This is their 24th consecutive year in operation.