Grand Rapids Rampage

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2008 Grand Rapids Rampage season
Grand Rapids Rampage
Grand Rapids Rampage
Conference American
Division Central
Year founded 1998
Home arena Van Andel Arena
City, State Grand Rapids, Michigan
Head Coach Steve Thonn
ArenaBowl championships 1:
2001
Conference titles 1:
2001
Division titles 1:
2001
Wild Card berths 4:
1999, 2000, 2002, 2003

The Grand Rapids Rampage is an Arena Football League team that began playing as a 1998 expansion team.

Contents

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[edit] History

The team as under its current name goes back to 1997. They began play as a professional team in 1998 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, when Dan DeVos purchased the Detroit Drive/Massachusetts Marauders franchise out of bankruptcy court. Grand Rapids is the smallest market in which the AFL currently has franchises. The Rampage began play in the Van Andel Arena, which is also the home of the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins. They compete in the Central Division of the American Conference.

The Grand Rapids Rampage started play in 1998 under coach Michael Trigg. In 2001, with notable players Clint Dolezel, and Terrill Shaw, the Rampage went on to win their first ArenaBowl. This game was broadcast live on the ABC Network

The Rampage's official mascot is a Rhinoceros named Blitz[1].

The Rampage had a rivalry with the Nashville Kats, one which dates back to the original Kats. This rivalry solidified with the Rampage's defeat of Nashville in ArenaBowl XV. The Rampage also share a rivalry with the Chicago Rush, known as the Amtrak Classic, due to the fact that the Amtrak railway system connects the two cities.

[edit] Logo

The Rampage's logo is a red rhinoceros. It's end zone is unique as being to only end zone that does not feature a team name or city. It simply says Arena Football in red with a black background.

[edit] Rampage Highlights

  • On Sunday, June 23, 2002, the Rampage hosted a game against the Georgia Force. After a low-scoring first quarter, the Rampage took a 28-15 halftime lead. However, the Force refused to go down, as they had a 41-35 lead with only 12 seconds left in the game. On one play, QB Clint Dolezel threw a game-winning 31-yd TD pass to OS Steve Smith (who hadn't played a down that game until the final play). The Rampage would win 42-41. On the AFL's 20 Greatest Highlights Countdown, this is ranked at #13.[2]
  • On Saturday, February 5, 2005, in a road game against their division-rival, the Colorado Crush, Rampage QB Michael Bishop became the very first Arena Football League player to run for 100 yards in a single game. It was only Bishop's third-ever start, yet he accomplished this amazing feat on just six attempts. Despite falling 72-56, Bishop's fancy feet helped set a bold new record. On the AFL's 20 Greatest Highlights Countdown, this is ranked at #12.[3]
  • In a pregame warm-up, QB Michael Bishop threw an incredible pass from one end zone, across the field, through the uprights, and into the stands. It displayed Bishop's amazing athletic talent. On the AFL's 20 Greatest Highlights Countdown, this is tied at #9.[4]

[edit] Season-by-season

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties

Season W L T Finish Playoff results
1998 3 11 0 4th AC Central --
1999 8 6 0 2nd AC Central Lost Week 1 (Albany)
2000 6 8 0 3rd AC Central Lost Week 1 (Nashville)
2001 11 3 0 1st AC Central Won Week 2 (Chicago)
Won Semifinals (Indiana)
Won ArenaBowl XV (Nashville)
2002 8 6 0 2nd AC Central Lost Week 1 (Carolina)
2003 8 8 0 2nd AC Central Lost Week 1 (Detroit)
2004 1 15 0 5th AC Central --
2005 4 12 0 4th AC Central --
2006 5 11 0 4th AC Central --
2007 4 12 0 5th AC Central --
*2008 3 10 0 3rd AC Central --
Totals 61 102 0 (including playoffs)

* = Current Standing

[edit] Notable Players, Past and Present

[edit] Venue location and front office

The Grand Rapids Rampage currently play in the Van Andel Arena, which is located in downtown Grand Rapids.

[edit] Rampage Coaches

  • Head coach: Steve Thonn
  • Defensive coordinator/Director of Player Personnel: Ron Selesky
  • Offensive/Defensive Line coach: Darrin Kenney
  • Special Teams Coach and Fullbacks/Linebackers coach: Paul Reinke
  • Football Operations Manager/Assistant coach: Rod Miller

[edit] External links


Grand Rapids Rampage seasons
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1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008
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