Cincinnati Rockers

The Cincinnati Rockers were an arena football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They began play in 1992 as an expansion team in the Arena Football League and competed through the 1993 season before they suspended operations due to low attendance. The Rockers played their home games at the Riverfront Coliseum.

Cincinnati Rockers
Established 1992
Folded 1993
Played in Riverfront Coliseum
in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati Rockers logo
League/conference affiliations
Arena Football League (1992–1993)
Team colorsCal Poly Green, yellow, white
              
MascotRockerman
Personnel
Owner(s)Ted Gregory
PresidentTed Gregory
General managerTed Gregory
Head coachJoe Haering
Team history
  • Cleveland Rockers (1992–1993)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Prior to 2005, the AFL did not have conference championship games
Division championships (0)
Playoff appearances (1)
Home arena(s)
  • Riverfront Coliseum (1992–1993)

History

1992
Main article: 1992 Cincinnati Rockers season

The Rockers were announced in 1991 as successful restaurant owner Ted Gregory was granted the Arena league expansion the franchise. As one of four expansion teams for 1992, the Rockers sold 5,700 season tickets.[1] Led by Art Schlichter,[2] who had signed a one-year $40,000 contract,[3] the Rockers finished their first season in the league with a surprising 7–3 record, but lost in the first round of the playoffs 41–36 to the Tampa Bay Storm.

1993
Main article: 1993 Cincinnati Rockers season

The team ceased operations following a 2–10 season in 1993.[4] The team's attendance fell by almost 50%, leading to Tom Gregory's decision to drop out of the AFL for the 1994 season.[5] Gregory attempted to find additional sponsors to re-launch the team in 1995,[5] but he instead sold the franchise to the Hartford Sports & Entertainment Group, who moved the franchise to Hartford, Connecticut and became known as the Connecticut Coyotes.[6]

Season-by-season
Season records
SeasonWLTFinishPlayoff results
19927302nd NorthernLost Week 1 (Tampa Bay 41-36)
199321005th Am. Conf.– n/a –
Totals9140 (including playoffs)

Logos & uniform

The team color scheme incorporated bright yellow and green.

Notable players

Final roster
Cincinnati Rockers roster
Quarterbacks

Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs

 Fullbacks/Linebackers
  • -- John Clark
  • 32 Mel Mills
  • 34 Dan Sellers

Offensive Linemen/Defensive Linemen

  • -- Kevin Allen
  • -- Joe Brunson
  • -- Kevin Carroll
  • -- Lamar Davis
  • -- John Dixon
  • -- David Edeen
  • -- Cecil Fletcher
  • -- Steve Houghton
  • -- Jerry Renners
  • -- Mick Roessler
  • -- Craig Schlichting
  • -- Steve Slay
 Wide Receiver/Linebackers
  • -- Falanda Newton

Kickers

Rookies in italics
Roster updated July 15, 2013
29 Active, 0 Inactive, 0 PS

→ More rosters

Arena Football Hall of Famers
Cincinnati Rockers Hall of Famers
No. Name Year Inducted Position(s) Years w/ Rockers
1Gary Mullen[7]1998WR/DB1993

Other players
  • Chris Barber, Defensive specialist 1992
  • Tony Collins, Fullback/linebacker 1992
  • Art Schlichter, Quarterback 1992
  • David Smith, Fullback/linebacker 1992
  • Jackie Walker, Offensive/defensive lineman 1992
  • Vince Hale, Offensive/defensive lineman 1992

Notable coaches

Head coaches

Note: Statistics are correct through the end of the 1993 Arena Football League season.

Name Term Regular Season Playoffs Awards Reference
W L T Win% W L
Fran Curci 1992 7 3 0 .700 0 1 [8]
Joe Haering 1993 2 10 0 .167 0 0 [9]

Notes

References
  1. Jason Blanton (May 12, 1992). "Couch playing Arena Football". Harlan Daily Enterprise. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  2. "Rockers bail out Schlichter". The Daily Sentinel. July 20, 1992. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  3. "Schlichter may end grid career". Toledo Blade. October 23, 1992. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  4. Ryan Ernst (March 23, 2003). "Following in footsteps of defunct Rockers". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  5. "ROCKERS TO LEAVE ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE". Dayton Daily News. October 30, 1993. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  6. "Arena grid team sold to Hellcats". Record=Journal. June 23, 1994. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  7. "Arena Football League Hall of Fame". www.arenafootball.com. Arena Football League. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  8. "ArenaFan Online: AFL Coaches: Fran Curci". www.arenafan.com. ArenaFan.com. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
  9. "ArenaFan Online: AFL Coaches: Joe Haering". www.arenafan.com. ArenaFan.com. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
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