Arizona Sandsharks

Arizona Sandsharks
Founded 1992
Ground America West Arena
Phoenix, Arizona
Capacity 15,505
League Continental Indoor Soccer League

Arizona Sandsharks was a U.S. indoor soccer team that played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL). It was founded in 1992 and folded in 1997, along with the CISL.

Arizona Sandsharks

The Sandsharks were founded on August 3, 1992 under the ownership of Jerry Colangelo. They were a founding member of the Continental Indoor Soccer League. In 1995, a brawl broke out between the Sandsharks and the visiting Portland Pride. Franklin McIntosh of the Sandsharks continued the fight into the parking lot. When Jerry Colangelo attempted to break up the fight, McIntosh broke Colangelo’s nose. This event proved the breaking point for Colangelo who had suffered through financial losses and a consistently losing team. During the off-season, he sought to sell the team. In 1996, Kerry Dunne and Brian Weymouth purchased the franchise from Colangelo. However, the sale was completed just before the 1996 season so Dunne and Weymouth chose to suspend operations that season. The Sandsharks withdrew from the CISL following the 1997 season. During their four seasons in the CISL, the Sandsharks consistently finished at the bottom of the standings. They were reorganized and renamed the Arizona Thunder, entering the Premier Soccer Alliance in 1998 season.[1][2]

Year-by-year

YearRecordRegular SeasonPlayoffsAvg. Attendance
1993 6-22 6th Did not qualify 5,316
1994 11-17 7th Western Did not qualify 4,581
1995 11-17 4th Southern Did not qualify 5,673
1997 8-20 5th Western Did not qualify 6,153
4 36-76 - - 5,331

Coaches

Honors

First team All Star

Notable players

References

  1. ↑ Arizona Sandsharks
  2. ↑ Premier Soccer Alliance

External links