Denver Dynamite (arena football)
Encyclopedia
This article is about the former Arena Football League franchise. For the Professional Arena Soccer League
(PASL-Pro) soccer club, see Denver Dynamite (soccer)
.
The Denver Dynamite were a charter member of the Arena Football League. They played their home games at McNichols Sports Arena
. They were last coached by Vito "Babe" Parilli
. The teams's logo
was a bundle of dynamite
sticks with a burning fuse.
and winning the first
ArenaBowl
that year. However, it did not return for the league's second season. The franchise was restarted in 1989
, however, and operated for three subsequent seasons, ceasing operation after the 1991
campaign. The team played all of its home games at the McNichols Sports Arena
.
The owners retained the rights to operate an Arena Football
franchise, however, which they sold in 1996
to a Nashville, Tennessee
-based group which started the Nashville Kats (later the Georgia Force
) the next year.
Denver would receive a new arena football team in 2003
, when the Colorado Crush
, owned by Pat Bowlen
and John Elway
, was established. The Crush played their home games at the Pepsi Center
from 2003-2008.
Professional Arena Soccer League
The Professional Arena Soccer League is an North American indoor soccer league recognized by FIFRA ....
(PASL-Pro) soccer club, see Denver Dynamite (soccer)
Denver Dynamite (soccer)
The Denver Dynamite are an American Arena soccer team, founded in 2008.The team is a charter member of the Professional Arena Soccer League , the first division of arena soccer in North America....
.
The Denver Dynamite were a charter member of the Arena Football League. They played their home games at McNichols Sports Arena
McNichols Sports Arena
McNichols Sports Arena was an indoor arena, in Denver, Colorado, USA, adjacent to Mile High Stadium. Completed in 1975, at a cost of $10 million, it seated 16,061, for hockey games, 17,171, for basketball games and contained 27 luxury suites, which were installed as part of the 1986 renovation. It...
. They were last coached by Vito "Babe" Parilli
Babe Parilli
-Biography:Parilli was born in the Pittsburgh industrial suburb of Rochester, Pennsylvania. He attended the University of Kentucky as an All-American starting quarterback for the Wildcats under Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant....
. The teams's logo
Logo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
was a bundle of dynamite
Dynamite
Dynamite is an explosive material based on nitroglycerin, initially using diatomaceous earth , or another absorbent substance such as powdered shells, clay, sawdust, or wood pulp. Dynamites using organic materials such as sawdust are less stable and such use has been generally discontinued...
sticks with a burning fuse.
History
The franchise played in the inaugural four-team "demonstration" season of 19871987 Arena Football League season
The 1987 Arena Football League season was the 1st season, also known as the "demonstration season", of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Denver Dynamite, who defeated the Pittsburgh Gladiators in ArenaBowl I.- Events :...
and winning the first
ArenaBowl I
Arena Bowl '87 was the Arena Football League's very first Arena Bowl. In this match-up, it pitted the #2 Denver Dynamite against the #1 Pittsburgh Gladiators...
ArenaBowl
ArenaBowl
The ArenaBowl is the Arena Football League's championship game. From 1987 to 2004, the ArenaBowl was hosted by either the team with the better regular-season record or the higher seeding in the playoffs. From ArenaBowl XIX in 2005 until ArenaBowl XXII in 2008, the game was played at a neutral site...
that year. However, it did not return for the league's second season. The franchise was restarted in 1989
1989 Arena Football League season
The 1989 Arena Football League season was the 3rd season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Detroit Drive, who defeated the Pittsburgh Gladiators in ArenaBowl III.-Standings:* Green indicates clinched playoff berth...
, however, and operated for three subsequent seasons, ceasing operation after the 1991
1991 Arena Football League season
The 1991 Arena Football League season was the 5th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Tampa Bay Storm, who defeated the Detroit Drive in ArenaBowl V.-Standings:* Green indicates clinched playoff berth...
campaign. The team played all of its home games at the McNichols Sports Arena
McNichols Sports Arena
McNichols Sports Arena was an indoor arena, in Denver, Colorado, USA, adjacent to Mile High Stadium. Completed in 1975, at a cost of $10 million, it seated 16,061, for hockey games, 17,171, for basketball games and contained 27 luxury suites, which were installed as part of the 1986 renovation. It...
.
The owners retained the rights to operate an Arena Football
Arena football
Arena football is a variety of gridiron football played by the Arena Football League . It is a proprietary game, the rights to which are owned by Gridiron Enterprises, and is played indoors on a smaller field than American or Canadian outdoor football, resulting in a faster and higher-scoring game....
franchise, however, which they sold in 1996
1996 Arena Football League season
The 1996 Arena Football League season was the 10th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Tampa Bay Storm, who defeated the Iowa Barnstormers in ArenaBowl X. The AFL finally stabilized its scheduled number of games. It expanded to a 14-game season, which would remain...
to a Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
-based group which started the Nashville Kats (later the Georgia Force
Georgia Force
The Georgia Force are an Arena Football League team based in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States that plays in the South Division of the American Conference. The team is owned by Doug MacGregor and Donn Jennings...
) the next year.
Denver would receive a new arena football team in 2003
2003 Arena Football League season
The 2003 Arena Football League season was the 17th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Tampa Bay Storm, who defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVII. The AFL expanded its season to a 16-game schedule...
, when the Colorado Crush
Colorado Crush
Colorado Crush were an Arena Football League team that began play as a 2003 expansion team. The Crush played in the Central Division of the American Conference until the Arena Football League suspended operations in 2009...
, owned by Pat Bowlen
Pat Bowlen
Patrick Dennis Bowlen is the Majority Owner, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Denver Broncos. The Bowlen Family, including his two brothers and sister, purchased the team from Edgar Kaiser in 1984 and saved the team from possible bankruptcy.-Biography:Pat's father, Paul D...
and John Elway
John Elway
John Albert Elway, Jr. is a former American football quarterback and currently is the executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He played college football at Stanford and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos...
, was established. The Crush played their home games at the Pepsi Center
Pepsi Center
Pepsi Center is a multi-purpose arena in Denver, Colorado, United States. The building is home to the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association, the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League, and the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League...
from 2003-2008.
AFL Hall of Famers
- Tim Marcum, Head CoachHead coachA head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
- Gary MullenGary MullenOne Night of Queen is a touring two-hour stage show, paying tribute to the stage theatrics and music of Queen. It is performed by Gary Mullen and The Works, a five piece band headed by Stars in Their Eyes winner and Freddie Mercury sound-alike Gary Mullen on vocals, with Davie Brockett on Guitar,...
, Wide ReceiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
/ Defensive backDefensive backIn American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
Players
- Chris Brewer - First Team All-Arena Team (1987)
- Patrick Cain - Second Team All-Arena Team (1987)
- Wayne Coffey - First Team All-Arena Team (1991)
- Rusty Fricke - Kicker of the Year (1991), 1st Team All-Arena Team (1991)
- Gary Gussman - First Team All-Arena Team (1989)
- Kelly Kirchbaum - Second Team All-Arena Team (1987)
- Quinton Knight - First Team All-Arena Team (1989, 1990)
- Joe March - First Team All-Arena Team (1991)
- Gary Mullen - First Team All-Arena Team (1987)
- Durell Taylor - Second Team All-Arena Team (1987)
- Whit TaylorWhit TaylorWhit Taylor , an assistant principal and athletic director at a Tennessee high school, is most widely known for his college and professional football careers. He was an all-Southeastern Conference quarterback for the Vanderbilt from 1979–1982, a period which included a trip to the 1982 Hall of Fame...
- Second Team All-Arena Team (1987) - Alvin Williams - Second Team All-Arena Team (1991)
- Mitch Young - Second Team All-Arena Team (1990)
Coaches
- Tim Marcum - Coach of the Year (1987)
- Babe ParilliBabe Parilli-Biography:Parilli was born in the Pittsburgh industrial suburb of Rochester, Pennsylvania. He attended the University of Kentucky as an All-American starting quarterback for the Wildcats under Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant....
- Coach of the Year (1989)
Notable players
- Marty MornhinwegMarty MornhinwegMarty Mornhinweg is the offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles, having joined the Eagles in 2003 as the assistant head coach. He was named offensive coordinator on January 6, 2006, after the Eagles previous offensive coordinator Brad Childress was hired as the head coach of the...
, QuarterbackQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
(1987) - Gary MullenGary MullenOne Night of Queen is a touring two-hour stage show, paying tribute to the stage theatrics and music of Queen. It is performed by Gary Mullen and The Works, a five piece band headed by Stars in Their Eyes winner and Freddie Mercury sound-alike Gary Mullen on vocals, with Davie Brockett on Guitar,...
, Wide ReceiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
/ Defensive backDefensive backIn American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
(1987) - Durell Taylor, Fullback / Linebacker (1987)
- Whit Taylor, Quarterback (1987)