Team: Columbus Destroyers
Nationwide
Championships:
Headcoach: Doug Kay
The Columbus Destroyers, an Arena Football League team was founded in Buffalo, New York in 1999 and, since 2004 they play in Columbus, Ohio. The Destroyers compete in the Eastern Division of the AFL. ... (more)
The Columbus Destroyers, an Arena Football League team was founded in Buffalo, New York in 1999 and, since 2004 they play in Columbus, Ohio. The Destroyers compete in the Eastern Division of the AFL.
They play their home games in the downtown Nationwide Arena, which also is home for National Hockey League's Columbus Blue Jackets.
Buffalo Sports Enterprises, Inc. was founded by Chairman and CEO Mark E. Hamister in August, 1997. Later the enterprise was awarded an expansion franchise by the Arena Football League Board of Directors. The Buffalo Destroyers began play during the 1999 AFL season, playing their home games at HSBC Arena. The name "destroyer" came from a naming contest and referred to the naval ship of the same name. Initially the Destroyers were successful in regards to high attendance, but gradually attendance declined and the team never recovered from it. In the second season the team scored 1-17 which led to dismissal of the first head coach Dave Whinham. Ray Bentley, former Bills player was selected as the head coach. Ray remains the most successful coach till date. Unfortunately, he couldn't lead the team in the winning season. Ray resigned abruptly in 2002 and was replaced by Ron Selesky, a respected personnel man. Selesky's record, however, was a lackluster 5-11. The team relocated in September 2003 in Columbus, Ohio for the 2004 season. The Destroyers had lost USD 5 million over 5 years and low attendance that reflected a lack of support for the team. Jim Renacci and John H. McConnell, majority owner of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, partner to form a local ownership group for the franchise would eventually include Steve Germain and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Joey Galloway. Moreover, legendary coach Earle Bruce was named as the team’s first head coach and general manager after a two-year absence from the Arena Football League. In October 2003, NFL great and The Ohio State University legend Chris Spielman joined the Columbus Destroyers organization as the team’s Director of Football Operations. Also, the Destroyers announced inaugural season schedule, featuring eight home games to be played at the Nationwide Arena.
The Columbus Destroyers, over their first two years, often marketed people with the team who are also associated with the Ohio State football program, rather than the team itself. In the 2004 season, there were lot of expectations from Earle Bruce and front office worker Chris Spielman. In the next season Speilman was appointed the head coach of the team. With 2006 season approaching the team seemed to have stooped marketing Ohio State personalities, instead it started promoting the Destroyers playing "Fast-forward football". After 2 seasons the team has been better received in Columbus than in Buffalo. The attendance remains one of the highest in the AFL even though they have not been very successful.
The Columbus Destroyers have recently acquired quarterback Matt Nagy from the Georgia Force in exchange for offensive/defensive lineman Mike Sutton. Nagy will be entering his sixth season in the AFL in 2007. In 2006, he set Force franchise-passing records for yardage (7,268), attempts (960), completions (632) and touchdowns. The Columbus Destroyers also recently introduced the new coach and choreographer for the Bombshells dance team, Shane Carpenter. Shane is responsible for the high-energy, captivating production numbers for which the Bombshells perform, both during games and throughout the community when making public appearances.
Let not your dream of watching the team play live be destroyed! Book your tickets in advance through your online ticket vendor. For purchasing the tickets click the link.
The Columbus Destroyers, an Arena Football League team was founded in Buffalo, New York in 1999 and, since 2004 they play in Columbus, Ohio. The Destroyers compete in the Eastern Division of the AFL.
They play their home games in the downtown Nationwide Arena, which also is home for National Hockey League's Columbus Blue Jackets.
Buffalo Sports Enterprises, Inc. was founded by Chairman and CEO Mark E. Hamister in August, 1997. Later the enterprise was awarded an expansion franchise by the Arena Football League Board of Directors. The Buffalo Destroyers began play during the 1999 AFL season, playing their home games at HSBC Arena. The name "destroyer" came from a naming contest and referred to the naval ship of the same name. Initially the Destroyers were successful in regards to high attendance, but gradually attendance declined and the team never recovered from it. In the second season the team scored 1-17 which led to dismissal of the first head coach Dave Whinham. Ray Bentley, former Bills player was selected as the head coach. Ray remains the most successful coach till date. Unfortunately, he couldn't lead the team in the winning season. Ray resigned abruptly in 2002 and was replaced by Ron Selesky, a respected personnel man. Selesky's record, however, was a lackluster 5-11. The team relocated in September 2003 in Columbus, Ohio for the 2004 season. The Destroyers had lost USD 5 million over 5 years and low attendance that reflected a lack of support for the team. Jim Renacci and John H. McConnell, majority owner of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, partner to form a local ownership group for the franchise would eventually include Steve Germain and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Joey Galloway. Moreover, legendary coach Earle Bruce was named as the team’s first head coach and general manager after a two-year absence from the Arena Football League. In October 2003, NFL great and The Ohio State University legend Chris Spielman joined the Columbus Destroyers organization as the team’s Director of Football Operations. Also, the Destroyers announced inaugural season schedule, featuring eight home games to be played at the Nationwide Arena.
The Columbus Destroyers, over their first two years, often marketed people with the team who are also associated with the Ohio State football program, rather than the team itself. In the 2004 season, there were lot of expectations from Earle Bruce and front office worker Chris Spielman. In the next season Speilman was appointed the head coach of the team. With 2006 season approaching the team seemed to have stooped marketing Ohio State personalities, instead it started promoting the Destroyers playing "Fast-forward football". After 2 seasons the team has been better received in Columbus than in Buffalo. The attendance remains one of the highest in the AFL even though they have not been very successful.
The Columbus Destroyers have recently acquired quarterback Matt Nagy from the Georgia Force in exchange for offensive/defensive lineman Mike Sutton. Nagy will be entering his sixth season in the AFL in 2007. In 2006, he set Force franchise-passing records for yardage (7,268), attempts (960), completions (632) and touchdowns. The Columbus Destroyers also recently introduced the new coach and choreographer for the Bombshells dance team, Shane Carpenter. Shane is responsible for the high-energy, captivating production numbers for which the Bombshells perform, both during games and throughout the community when making public appearances.
Let not your dream of watching the team play live be destroyed! Book your tickets in advance through your online ticket vendor. For purchasing the tickets click the link.
