| Grand Rapids Rampage | |
| Helmet: | Grand Rapids Rampage Helmet Logo 2007-2008.png |
| Founded: | 1998 |
| Folded: | 2009 |
| City: | Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Uniform: | Image:AFL-Uniform-Current-GRD.PNG |
| Colors: | Red, black, silver, white |
| Coach: | Steve Thonn |
| Owner: | Dan DeVos |
| Mascot: | Blitz |
| League: | Arena Football League (–)
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| Team History: |
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| No Conf Champs: | 0 |
| Conf Champs: | Prior to 2005, the AFL did not have conference championship games |
| No Div Champs: | 1 |
| Div Champs: |
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| No League Champs: | 1 |
| League Champs: | |
| Playoff Appearances: |
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| No Playoff Appearances: | 6 |
| Arena Years: |
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The Grand Rapids Rampage was an arena football team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The team began play in 1998 in the Arena Football League as an expansion team. They were last coached by Steve Thonn. Their home arena was the Van Andel Arena.
In 1997, Dan DeVos was granted an expansion AFL franchise for the 1998 season, and was awarded the remains of the dormant Massachusetts Marauders franchise out of bankruptcy court. That team's first incarnation, the Detroit Drive, had been the league's first dynasty; the Drive had advanced to the ArenaBowl in all six years they played in Detroit, winning four times. They moved to Worcester, Massachusetts for the 1994 season before folding. Due to the four-year period of dormancy, the Rampage did not claim the Drive/Marauders' history as their own. Grand Rapids was the smallest market in which the AFL had a franchise at the times of its first/2009 disbanding.
The Rampage played in the Van Andel Arena, which is also the home of the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins. They competed 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 was 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.[2]
The Rampage also shared a rivalry with the Chicago Rush, known as the Amtrak Classic, after the Amtrak railway system which connects the two cities. On July 6, 2008, the Amtrak Classic added an interesting chapter as the Rampage, losers of their last six meetings with Chicago, defeated their heavily favored opponents on the road. Grand Rapids entered the game as a 6 seed, and upended the #1 seeded Rush 58–41, in a game of controversial penalties and brawls.
On March 5, 2010, it was announced that the Rampage were officially out of business and had no plans to return.[3]
The Rampage's logo was a red rhinoceros. Its end zone featured the team's secondary logo. However, it was changed to 'Arena Football' during the ArenaBowl in 2001.
See main article: List of Grand Rapids Rampage seasons.
| Grand Rapids Rampage Hall of Famers | |||||
| width=60px style="background: #000; color: white" | No. | Name | Year inducted | Position(s) | Years w/ Rampage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 2012 | 2001–2003 | |||
| 84 | 2002 | 1998 | |||
| Kicker of the Year | |||
| Season | Player | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Gowins | K | ||
| Most Inspirational Player of the Year | |||
| Season | Player | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| JoJo Polk | DB | ||
The following Rampage players were named to All-Arena Teams:
The following Rampage players were named to All-Ironman Teams:
The following Rampage players were named to All-Rookie Teams:
The Grand Rapids Rampage played in the Van Andel Arena, which is located in downtown Grand Rapids.
| Head coach | Tenure | Regular season record (W–L) | Postseason record (W–L) | Most recent coaching staff | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Trigg | 1998–2003 | 43–41[7] | 3–4 | AFL Coach of the year (2001). ArenaBowl XV winning head coach. Assistant coach: Will McClay (1998 - 1999) became head coach of the Philadelphia Soul (2004). | |
| Bob Cortese | 2004 | 1–10[8] | 0–0 | Let go during the season | |
| Rick Frazier | 2004 | 0–5[9] | 0–0 | Replaced Bob Cortese during the season. | |
| Sparky McEwen | 2005–2007 | 13–35[10] | 0–0 | Grand Rapids assistant coach (2001 - 2003). | |
| Steve Thonn | 2008 | 6–10 | 2–1 | DC / Director of Player Personnel: Ron Selesky Line coach: Darrin Kenney ST Coordinator and FB / LB coach: Paul Reinke Manager of Football Ops. / Assist. coach: Rod Miller | |