The term "semi-professional football" implies that the men who play it are being paid to play, but at a less-than-livable wage. This is misleading. In most semi-pro leagues, as is true here in the Empire Football League, it is against league rules to reimburse players – not for practicing, for playing, or in any other way. Thus, no one is making any money to play for the Ice Storm.

In fact, the opposite is the case. This team is made up of players who love the game of football so much that they pay to play. Each and every member of the Vermont Ice Storm has had to purchase their own equipment, contribute a player fee (in order to insure the purchase of the team's uniforms, field rental, and so forth), and pick up their own practice expenses. Over the course of the year, this financial burden can be substantial.

Why then the title "semi-pro?" A look at the history of this level of football tells us that some label was needed to differentiate this type of football from high school, college, and pro football. A hundred years ago, when it was in its infancy, semi-pro football was the precursor to pro football. A few itinerant players, wandering the country in search of games to play in, were paid small amounts (usually under the table) to make local, small town teams look better and win.

In fact, at the NFL's Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, there is reference made to the "Watertown Red and Black" football team being the "first pro football team in America. "This means that Watertown was the first city to officially pay players. Today, the Watertown Red and Black is a powerful semi-pro team, with a fine, illustrious history behind it. It is a member of our own Empire Football League, and is one of the opponents of our very own Ice Storm. (See 2008 Schedule)

So "semi-pro" football merely means "amateur football" in a real sense. It is played by adults, from the ages of 18 to "whatever," who love the game enough after their high school and/or college careers that they "haven't gotten it out of their systems yet!" Coaches, organizers, sponsors, cheerleaders, Stormy the Mascot – EVERYONE connected with the Vermont Ice Storm is a genuine volunteer!