Massachusetts Marauders
Encyclopedia
The Massachusetts Marauders was a professional arena football
team that played in the Arena Football League in 1994.
team playing as an Arena Football League team from 1988–1993. They were in six consecutive championship ArenaBowls, one for each season of the team's Detroit existence, winning four of them, making them the dominant team of the League's early period. In 1992 they played in the Northern Division
.
Their home games were played at the Joe Louis Arena
, also home to the Detroit Red Wings
of the National Hockey League
.
The Drive won the ArenaBowl
in 1988
, 1989
, 1990
and 1992
.
The Drive had, arguably, the best management team in the league. Owner Mike Ilitch, General Manager Gary Vitto, and Head Coach Tim Marcum are all in the AFL Hall of Fame. Following the 1992 season, Ilitch purchased the Detroit Tigers
of Major League Baseball
and Vitto was transferred to the Tigers front office. Marcum assumed GM duties for 1993 and led the team to its final Arena Bowl.
Mike Ilitch sold the Drive so that they would not compete with the Tigers for attendance. Shortly after his purchase of them, the Tigers began their worst drought in team history, posting a losing record in every season from 1994 to 2005. Ilitch still claims that he only kept the Drive because they were constant contenders.
sold the team following his purchase of the Detroit Tigers in 1993. The team competed in 1994 as the Massachusetts Marauders at the DCU Center
in Worcester, MA, but folded after going 9-5 in their first and only season. Where as the Drive averaged over 14,000 fans a game during their 6 seasons in Detroit, the Marauders averaged less than 7,400 a game.
Nearly three years after the Marauders folded, Dan DeVos purchased the franchise out of bankruptcy court, and in 1998 they became the Grand Rapids Rampage
, who played until 2008.
Detroit later received a second Arena Football team, the Detroit Fury
. The Fury played from 2001 to 2004 in The Palace of Auburn Hills
and were co-owned by William Davidson
, owner of the Detroit Pistons
and William Clay Ford, Jr.
, son of the owner of the Detroit Lions
. The Fury were never as successful as the Drive, compiling a 22-41 record and averaging 8,152 fans per game before they folded in 2004.
While the Drive's history may have been short, they have an unforgettable legacy to Arena Football fans, with ArenaBowl
trips every year of their existence, and creating the first dynasty in the Arena Football League.
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....
team that played in the Arena Football League in 1994.
Detroit Drive (1988–1993)
The Detroit Drive was a professional arena footballArena 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....
team playing as an Arena Football League team from 1988–1993. They were in six consecutive championship ArenaBowls, one for each season of the team's Detroit existence, winning four of them, making them the dominant team of the League's early period. In 1992 they played in the Northern Division
Northern Division (AFL)
The Northern Division of the Arena Football League was formed for the 1992 season and was disbanded after the end of the season. It consisted of the Albany Firebirds, Cincinnati Rockers, Cleveland Thunderbolts, and Detroit Drive. The Drive won the division in its only year of existence...
.
Their home games were played at the Joe Louis Arena
Joe Louis Arena
Joe Louis Arena, nicknamed The Joe and JLA is a hockey arena located at 600 Civic Center Drive in Detroit, Michigan. It is the home of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. Completed in 1979 at a cost of $57 million, Joe Louis Arena is named after boxer and former heavyweight...
, also home to the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
.
The Drive won the 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...
in 1988
ArenaBowl II
Arena Bowl '88 was the Arena Football League's second-ever championship game. The game featured the #2 Detroit Drive against the #1 Chicago Bruisers .-Game summary:...
, 1989
ArenaBowl III
Arena Bowl '89 was the Arena Football League's third Arena Bowl. The game featured the #2 Pittsburgh Gladiators against the #1 Detroit Drive...
, 1990
ArenaBowl IV
Arena Bowl '90 was the Arena Football League's fourth Arena Bowl. The game featured the #2 Dallas Texans against the #1 Detroit Drive...
and 1992
ArenaBowl VI
ArenaBowl '92 was the Arena Football League's sixth Arena Bowl. The game featured the #2 Detroit Drive against the #1 Orlando Predators...
.
The Drive had, arguably, the best management team in the league. Owner Mike Ilitch, General Manager Gary Vitto, and Head Coach Tim Marcum are all in the AFL Hall of Fame. Following the 1992 season, Ilitch purchased the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
and Vitto was transferred to the Tigers front office. Marcum assumed GM duties for 1993 and led the team to its final Arena Bowl.
Mike Ilitch sold the Drive so that they would not compete with the Tigers for attendance. Shortly after his purchase of them, the Tigers began their worst drought in team history, posting a losing record in every season from 1994 to 2005. Ilitch still claims that he only kept the Drive because they were constant contenders.
Massachusetts Marauders (1994)
The team's on-field success did not mean equivalent business success; although the team was the most profitable in the AFL, setting attendance records, owner Mike IlitchMike Ilitch
Michael "Mike" Ilitch Sr. is an American entrepreneur and owner of the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers. In addition to his sports ownerships, he is the founder and owner of Little Caesars Pizza since 1959, which has become an international fast food franchise...
sold the team following his purchase of the Detroit Tigers in 1993. The team competed in 1994 as the Massachusetts Marauders at the DCU Center
DCU Center
The DCU Center is an indoor arena and convention center complex, located in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts....
in Worcester, MA, but folded after going 9-5 in their first and only season. Where as the Drive averaged over 14,000 fans a game during their 6 seasons in Detroit, the Marauders averaged less than 7,400 a game.
Nearly three years after the Marauders folded, Dan DeVos purchased the franchise out of bankruptcy court, and in 1998 they became the Grand Rapids Rampage
Grand Rapids Rampage
The Grand Rapids Rampage was an Arena Football League team that began playing as a 1998 expansion team. They were coached by Steve Thonn.-History:...
, who played until 2008.
Detroit later received a second Arena Football team, the Detroit Fury
Detroit Fury
The Detroit Fury were an Arena Football League team. The team began play in 2001 and was based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, at The Palace of Auburn Hills, also the home of the NBA's Detroit Pistons. The team was co-owned by William Davidson, who owned the Pistons, along with...
. The Fury played from 2001 to 2004 in The Palace of Auburn Hills
The Palace of Auburn Hills
The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
and were co-owned by William Davidson
William Davidson
William Morse "Bill" Davidson, J. D. was an American businessman who was President, Chairman and CEO of Guardian Industries, one of the world's largest manufacturers of architectural and automotive glass...
, owner of the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
and William Clay Ford, Jr.
William Clay Ford, Jr.
William Clay "Bill" Ford Jr. , is the great-grandson of Henry Ford, and serves as the executive chairman of Ford Motor Company, Ford also served as the President, CEO, and COO until turning over those roles to former Boeing executive Alan Mulally in September 2006...
, son of the owner of the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
. The Fury were never as successful as the Drive, compiling a 22-41 record and averaging 8,152 fans per game before they folded in 2004.
While the Drive's history may have been short, they have an unforgettable legacy to Arena Football fans, with 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...
trips every year of their existence, and creating the first dynasty in the Arena Football League.
Video games
The Drive and Marauders both appeared on the game EA Sports Arena Football as hidden bonus teams.Notable players
- Novo BojovicNovo BojovicNovo Bojovic is a former placekicker. Bojovic played college football at Central Michigan before embarking on a career in professional football which lasted nine years. Bojovic began his career in pro football with the United States Football League's Michigan Panthers in 1983...
, K 1988–92 - Lynn Bradford, FB/LB 1989–90
- Tony Burse, FB/LB 1993–94
- Dwayne DixonDwayne DixonDwayne Keith Dixon is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League and Arena Football League...
, WR/LB 1988–91 - David Evans, WR/DB 1988–91
- Walter Holman, FB/LB 1988
- Rich IngoldRich IngoldRichard Ingold is a former Arena Football League quarterback who played with the Washington Commandos, and the Detroit Drive. He holds the all-time record for most career head coaching wins in af2 history, coaching the Quad City Steamwheelers and, more recently, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton...
, QB 1988 - George LaFranceGeorge LaFranceGeorge Herbert LaFrance III is a former Arena Football League Offensive Specialist. In a playing career lasting twelve years, he played for the Detroit Drive , the Tampa Bay Storm , and the New Jersey Red Dogs...
, OS/KR 1988–89, 1991–93 - Reggie Mathis, OL/DLine 1988–90
- Mike PagelMike PagelMike John Pagel , was a former professional American football player who was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 4th round of the 1982 NFL Draft. A 6'2", . quarterback from Arizona State, Pagel played in 12 NFL seasons from 1982-1993...
, QB 1994 - Gilbert RenfroeGilbert RenfroeGilbert Renfroe is a former professional football quarterback.Renfroe played college football at Tennessee State University from 1982-1985. With the Tigers, he finished fourth all time in total offensive yards and passing yards...
, QB 1992–93 - Alvin Rettig, FB/LB 1988–93
- Art SchlichterArt SchlichterArthur Ernest Schlichter is a retired college and professional American football quarterback, sometimes known for his compulsive gambling and the legal problems especially gambling that arose from it...
, QB 1990–91
AFL Hall of Famers
- 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,...
- George LaFranceGeorge LaFranceGeorge Herbert LaFrance III is a former Arena Football League Offensive Specialist. In a playing career lasting twelve years, he played for the Detroit Drive , the Tampa Bay Storm , and the New Jersey Red Dogs...
- Dwayne Dixon
- Alvin Rettig
- Tim Marcum
- Mike IlitchMike IlitchMichael "Mike" Ilitch Sr. is an American entrepreneur and owner of the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers. In addition to his sports ownerships, he is the founder and owner of Little Caesars Pizza since 1959, which has become an international fast food franchise...
(owner) - Jon Roehlk
- Perry MossPerry Moss-External links:...
- John CorkerJohn CorkerJohn Corker is a former American football linebacker who played four seasons in the National Football League, mainly for the Houston Oilers....
- Tate RandleTate RandleTate Randle is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League and the Arena Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the eight round of the 1982 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Tech.Randle also played for the Houston Oilers, Baltimore /...
- Gary Vitto (General Manager)