Arizona Sandsharks
Encyclopedia
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.
. 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
. Dave Macintosh of the Sandsharks continued the fight into the parking lot. When Jerry Colangelo attempted to break up the fight, Macintosh 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.
Indoor soccer
Indoor soccer or arena soccer, or six-a-side football in the United Kingdom, is a game derived from association football adapted for play in an indoor arena such as a turf-covered hockey arena or skating rink. The most important difference in play is that the indoor field is surrounded by a wall...
team that played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League
Continental Indoor Soccer League
The Continental Indoor Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that played from 1993 to 1997.-History:When the Major Soccer League folded in the summer of 1992, two of its former teams joined a group of hockey and basketball arena owners led by Ron Weinstein who wanted to create a league to...
(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 ColangeloJerry Colangelo
Jerry Colangelo , is an American businessman and sports executive.He formerly owned the Phoenix Suns of the NBA, the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA, the Arizona Sandsharks of the Continental Indoor Soccer League, the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League and the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major...
. They were a founding member of the Continental Indoor Soccer League
Continental Indoor Soccer League
The Continental Indoor Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that played from 1993 to 1997.-History:When the Major Soccer League folded in the summer of 1992, two of its former teams joined a group of hockey and basketball arena owners led by Ron Weinstein who wanted to create a league to...
. In 1995, a brawl broke out between the Sandsharks and the visiting Portland Pride
Portland Pride
The Portland Pride are a defunct indoor soccer team that played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League from 1993 to 1997.-History:In 1993, a new league, the Continental Indoor Soccer League began its first season. Traditionally, indoor soccer has been a winter sport, but the CISL decided to...
. Dave Macintosh of the Sandsharks continued the fight into the parking lot. When Jerry Colangelo attempted to break up the fight, Macintosh 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
Arizona Thunder
The Arizona Thunder was a professional indoor soccer team based in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1997, the team was a member of the Premier Soccer Alliance. In 1998, the alliance, with some additional teams, reconstituted itself as the World Indoor Soccer League . The Thunder continued to play in the...
, entering the Premier Soccer Alliance in 1998 season.
Year-by-year
| Year | Record | Regular Season | Playoffs | Avg. 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
- Peter Duh 1993-1994
- Ron NewmanRon Newman (footballer)Ronald Vernon Newman is a former association football player and coach. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame....
1995 - Luis Dabo & Peter Barlich 1997
Notable players
- Mirko CastilloMirko CastilloMirko Castillo was a Peruvian soccer forward who spent his entire professional career in the United States. He played two seasons in the American Soccer League, tying Ricardo Alonso as the 1990 league leading scorer...
- Mark KerlinMark KerlinMark Kerlin is a retired U.S. soccer forward who spent most of his career in indoor leagues. He also played one season in the Western Soccer League and two in the American Professional Soccer League....
- Bojan VuckovicBojan Vuckovic (soccer player)Bojan "Bo" Vučković is a Serbian footballer, who currently owns and plays for Vermont Voltage in the USL Premier Development League.-Youth and College:...
- Wes WadeWes WadeWes Wade is a retired U.S. soccer player who spent two seasons playing outdoor soccer and fifteen playing indoor soccer. He was a six-time All Star and won five championships with two teams.-Player:...
- David Cameron
- Aaron Susi