Юта Блейз: история команды арена-футбола из Солт-Лейк-Сити. Выступления в AFL, домашняя арена EnergySolutions Arena и причины прекращения существования.
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Содержание
Введение
Команда по аренному футболу
Arena football team
«Юта Блейз» — профессиональная команда по аренному футболу, базировавшаяся в Солт-Лейк-Сити, штат Юта, и выступавшая в Западном дивизионе Аренной футбольной лиги. Домашние матчи проводились на «ЭнерджиСолюшнс Арена». В 2013 году команда не предоставила необходимые документы для продолжения участия в AFL, и весь состав игроков был перераспределен в другие команды лиги.
The Utah Blaze was a professional arena football team based in Salt Lake City, Utah and competed in the West Division of the Arena Football League. Home games were played at the EnergySolutions Arena. In 2013, the team did not submit proper documentation to remain in the AFL and the entire roster was reassigned to other teams in the league.
Оригинальный Utah Blaze (2006 08)
В сентябре 2004 года комиссар С. Дэвид Бейкер объявил, что Солт-Лейк-Сити, штат Юта, получил франшизу Арены Футбольной Лиги (АФЛ) на сезон 2006 года. «Юта Блейз» начали выступления 28 января 2006 года в гостях против «Сан-Хосе СэйберКэтс». Команду тренировал опытный тренер «Аризоны Рэтлерс» Дэнни Уайт, а домашние матчи проходили на EnergySolutions Arena в Солт-Лейк-Сити, арене, где выступала команда «Юта Джаз» из Национальной баскетбольной ассоциации. Владельцами команды были автомобильные предприниматели Джон Гарфф, Роберт Гарфф и Брет Хопкинс. В свой первый сезон «Блейз» имели самую высокую среднюю посещаемость в АФЛ – 15 498 зрителей за игру, лишь немного опередив «Филадельфию» (15 463). Перед началом сезона 2006 года «Блейз» заявляли, что EnergySolutions Arena вмещает 13 000 зрителей из-за плохой видимости на большей части арены. После того как на домашний матч открытия пришли 16 705 зрителей, эта цифра была скорректирована почти до 15 000. «Блейз» выиграли 5 из 8 игр в свой первый сезон. Возглашали нападение квотербек Джо Джермейн и звездный ресивер Сиаха Берли. В субботу, 11 февраля 2006 года, «Блейз» уступили «Нью-Йорк Драгонз» со счетом 84–81 в матче, который стал вторым по результативности в истории АФЛ. Результат «Блейз» также стал вторым по величине среди проигравших команд за 20-летнюю историю АФЛ. Несмотря на отрицательный баланс (7–9), «Блейз» попали в плей-офф как Wild Card AC (шестой номер посева в конференции). К сожалению, новообразованная команда «Блейз» выбыла из борьбы, проиграв «Аризоне Рэтлерс» со счетом 57–34. В 2007 году Берли установил рекорд лиги по количеству приемов (166) и ярдов, набранных приемами (2129) за один сезон, а также завершил сезон с 49 тачдаунами, заняв второе место в лиге по этому показателю. За свои достижения он был назван Нападающим года Арены. Джермейн продолжил демонстрировать сильную игру на позиции квотербека, отдав 5033 ярда передачами. Команда завершила сезон с балансом 8–8 и проиграла «Лос-Анджелес Эвенджерс» со счетом 64–42 в матче Wild Card. Талисманом команды был далматинец по имени «Чиф». «Блейз» стали обладателями «Награды комиссара» в 2006 году и выиграли «Премию лучшему штату поддержки» в двух сезонах подряд (2006–2007) – награды, которая вручается лучшему тренировочному и обслуживающему персоналу лиги. В первый сезон ее возглавляли Хаген Федерстоун и Кевин Симанс, а в 2007 году – Кевин Симанс и Дарин Федерстоун. В сезоне 2008 года «Блейз» стали первой и единственной профессиональной футбольной командой, у которой в одном сезоне три ресивера набрали более 1500 ярдов: Хьюи Уиттакер, Джей Джей МакКелви и Аарон Бун. Это также был первый случай, когда три игрока набрали 120 и более приемов в одном сезоне.
In September 2004, Commissioner C. David Baker announced that Salt Lake City, Utah was awarded an Arena Football League (AFL) franchise for the 2006 season. The Utah Blaze began play on January 28, 2006, on the road against the San Jose SaberCats. The team was coached by longtime Arizona Rattlers coach Danny White and played its home games at the EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, home of the National Basketball Association's Utah Jazz. The team was owned by automobile businessmen John Garff, Robert Garff, and Brett Hopkins. In their first season, the Blaze had the highest average attendance in the Arena Football League, with 15,498 fans per game. They narrowly edged out Philadelphia's 15,463. Prior to the 2006 season, the Blaze had said EnergySolutions Arena held 13,000 fans due to poor sight lines in most of the building. After 16,705 people attended the home opener, that figure was changed to near 15,000. The Blaze topped that figure 5 of the 8 games their first season. The offense was led by quarterback Joe Germaine and star wide receiver Siaha Burley. On Saturday, February 11, 2006, the Blaze lost to the New York Dragons 84–81 in the second highest scoring game in the history of the Arena Football League. The Blaze's performance was also the second highest score for a losing team in the AFL's 20 year history. Despite a losing record of 7–9, the Blaze got into the playoffs as an AC Wildcard (the conference's No. 6 seed). Unfortunately, the newly formed Blaze were given the boot as they lost to the Arizona Rattlers with a final score of 57–34. In 2007, Burley set league records for most receptions (166) and receiving yards (2,129) in a single season, and also finished with 49 touchdown receptions, second in the league that year. For his efforts, he was named the Arena League's Offensive Player of the Year. Germaine continued his strong play at QB, passing for 5,033 yards. The team finished with a record of 8 8, and lost to the Los Angeles Avengers 64 42 in the wildcard playoff game. The team's mascot was a dalmatian named "Chief". The Blaze were winners of the league"Commissioners Award" in 2006 and won the "Support Staff of the Year Award" in back to back seasons (2006–2007), an award that goes to the league's best training and equipment staff, which was headed by Hagen Featherstone and Kevin Seamans in the inaugural season and Kevin Seamans and Darin Featherstone in 2007. During the 2008 season the Blaze became the first, and only, professional football team to record three 1,500 yard receivers in the same season, with Huey Whittaker, J. J. McKelvey, and Aaron Boone. This also marks the first time three players each caught 120 or more passes in the same season. Name Rec Yards TDs Huey Whittaker 126 1,541 32 J. J. McKelvey 121 1,529 38 Aaron Boone 135 1,527 23
Upon the AFL's suspension of operations, the Blaze did so for the same time period.
In September 2004, Commissioner C. David Baker announced that Salt Lake City, Utah was awarded an Arena Football League (AFL) franchise for the 2006 season. The Utah Blaze began play on January 28, 2006, on the road against the San Jose SaberCats. The team was coached by longtime Arizona Rattlers coach Danny White and played its home games at the EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, home of the National Basketball Association's Utah Jazz. The team was owned by automobile businessmen John Garff, Robert Garff, and Brett Hopkins. In their first season, the Blaze had the highest average attendance in the Arena Football League, with 15,498 fans per game. They narrowly edged out Philadelphia's 15,463. Prior to the 2006 season, the Blaze had said EnergySolutions Arena held 13,000 fans due to poor sight lines in most of the building. After 16,705 people attended the home opener, that figure was changed to near 15,000. The Blaze topped that figure 5 of the 8 games their first season. The offense was led by quarterback Joe Germaine and star wide receiver Siaha Burley. On Saturday, February 11, 2006, the Blaze lost to the New York Dragons 84–81 in the second highest scoring game in the history of the Arena Football League. The Blaze's performance was also the second highest score for a losing team in the AFL's 20 year history. Despite a losing record of 7–9, the Blaze got into the playoffs as an AC Wildcard (the conference's No. 6 seed). Unfortunately, the newly formed Blaze were given the boot as they lost to the Arizona Rattlers with a final score of 57–34. In 2007, Burley set league records for most receptions (166) and receiving yards (2,129) in a single season, and also finished with 49 touchdown receptions, second in the league that year. For his efforts, he was named the Arena League's Offensive Player of the Year. Germaine continued his strong play at QB, passing for 5,033 yards. The team finished with a record of 8 8, and lost to the Los Angeles Avengers 64 42 in the wildcard playoff game. The team's mascot was a dalmatian named "Chief". The Blaze were winners of the league"Commissioners Award" in 2006 and won the "Support Staff of the Year Award" in back to back seasons (2006–2007), an award that goes to the league's best training and equipment staff, which was headed by Hagen Featherstone and Kevin Seamans in the inaugural season and Kevin Seamans and Darin Featherstone in 2007. During the 2008 season the Blaze became the first, and only, professional football team to record three 1,500 yard receivers in the same season, with Huey Whittaker, J. J. McKelvey, and Aaron Boone. This also marks the first time three players each caught 120 or more passes in the same season. Name Rec Yards TDs Huey Whittaker 126 1,541 32 J. J. McKelvey 121 1,529 38 Aaron Boone 135 1,527 23
Upon the AFL's suspension of operations, the Blaze did so for the same time period.
После приостановки деятельности АФЛ, «Блейз» также приостановили свою деятельность на тот же период.
In September 2004, Commissioner C. David Baker announced that Salt Lake City, Utah was awarded an Arena Football League (AFL) franchise for the 2006 season. The Utah Blaze began play on January 28, 2006, on the road against the San Jose SaberCats. The team was coached by longtime Arizona Rattlers coach Danny White and played its home games at the EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, home of the National Basketball Association's Utah Jazz. The team was owned by automobile businessmen John Garff, Robert Garff, and Brett Hopkins. In their first season, the Blaze had the highest average attendance in the Arena Football League, with 15,498 fans per game. They narrowly edged out Philadelphia's 15,463. Prior to the 2006 season, the Blaze had said EnergySolutions Arena held 13,000 fans due to poor sight lines in most of the building. After 16,705 people attended the home opener, that figure was changed to near 15,000. The Blaze topped that figure 5 of the 8 games their first season. The offense was led by quarterback Joe Germaine and star wide receiver Siaha Burley. On Saturday, February 11, 2006, the Blaze lost to the New York Dragons 84–81 in the second highest scoring game in the history of the Arena Football League. The Blaze's performance was also the second highest score for a losing team in the AFL's 20 year history. Despite a losing record of 7–9, the Blaze got into the playoffs as an AC Wildcard (the conference's No. 6 seed). Unfortunately, the newly formed Blaze were given the boot as they lost to the Arizona Rattlers with a final score of 57–34. In 2007, Burley set league records for most receptions (166) and receiving yards (2,129) in a single season, and also finished with 49 touchdown receptions, second in the league that year. For his efforts, he was named the Arena League's Offensive Player of the Year. Germaine continued his strong play at QB, passing for 5,033 yards. The team finished with a record of 8 8, and lost to the Los Angeles Avengers 64 42 in the wildcard playoff game. The team's mascot was a dalmatian named "Chief". The Blaze were winners of the league"Commissioners Award" in 2006 and won the "Support Staff of the Year Award" in back to back seasons (2006–2007), an award that goes to the league's best training and equipment staff, which was headed by Hagen Featherstone and Kevin Seamans in the inaugural season and Kevin Seamans and Darin Featherstone in 2007. During the 2008 season the Blaze became the first, and only, professional football team to record three 1,500 yard receivers in the same season, with Huey Whittaker, J. J. McKelvey, and Aaron Boone. This also marks the first time three players each caught 120 or more passes in the same season. Name Rec Yards TDs Huey Whittaker 126 1,541 32 J. J. McKelvey 121 1,529 38 Aaron Boone 135 1,527 23
Upon the AFL's suspension of operations, the Blaze did so for the same time period.
Складывание AFL и AIFA (2009)
Вторая организация Utah Blaze изначально называлась Utah Valley Thunder и являлась членом Американской ассоциации футбола в помещении в течение сезона 2009 года. В свой единственный сезон в AIFA команда базировалась в Ореме, штат Юта, и проводила домашние матчи в McKay Events Center. Они завершили сезон с результатом 11 побед и 3 поражения, заняв второе место в Западном дивизионе и получив право участвовать в плей-офф, где уступили Wyoming Cavalry в матче плей-офф Западного дивизиона.
The second Utah Blaze organization was originally the Utah Valley Thunder, a member of the American Indoor Football Association during the 2009 season. During their lone season in the AIFA, they were based in Orem, Utah, and played their home games at the McKay Events Center. They finished at a respectable 11–3, finishing second in the Western Division and qualifying for a playoff berth before losing to the Wyoming Cavalry in the Western Divisional playoff.
Возрождение AFL и возвращение Blaze (20102013)
28 сентября 2009 года команда "Тандер" объявила о намерении присоединиться к лиге Arena Football 1 на сезон 2010 года и последующие сезоны, а также о переезде в E Center (ныне Maverik Center) в городе Вест-Вэлли-Сити. Более чем через два месяца, 8 декабря, AF1 получила активы оригинальной AFL после того, как предложила наивысшую ставку на аукционе в суде по делам о банкротстве. Командам AF1 было предоставлено право использовать названия бывших команд AFL, но изначально "Юта" решила использовать бренд "Юта Тандер". Предыдущий владелец "Blaze" попытался заявить права на логотип "Blaze", но не преуспел в этом. Наконец, 26 января 2010 года команда объявила, что все же будет использовать название и логотип "Blaze". Менее чем через месяц AF1 объявила о возвращении к прежнему названию Arena Football League. 25 января 2011 года команда сообщила в пресс-релизе о возвращении на арену EnergySolutions Arena. Квотербек Томми Грейди установил рекорд по количеству тачдаунов за сезон, сделав свой 118-й пас против "Georgia Force" 23 июня 2012 года. В сезоне 2012 года "Blaze" также одержали свой первый победный сезон в истории франшизы. В сезоне 2012 года защитная линия "Blaze" получила прозвище "Sack Lake City" из-за огромного давления, которое она оказывала на квотербеков соперника, и большого количества сэков. В игре против "Iowa Barnstormers" "Blaze" установили рекорд лиги, совершив 11 сэков за одну игру, лидерами в этом стали Цезарь Рэйфорд и Майк Льюис, сделавшие по 3,5 сэка каждый. За два сезона в составе "Юта Блейз" этот дуэт завоевал 3 награды All-Pro и в сумме совершил 40 сэков. В марте 2013 года совладелица Кристин Мёрдок продала свою контрольную долю в команде бизнесвумен из Солт-Лейк-Сити Ким Браун. В сентябре 2013 года Arena Football League объявила, что "Юта Блейз" не предоставила документы, подтверждающие участие в сезонах 2014 и 2015 годов. В результате "Blaze" (наряду с "Chicago Rush") были исключены из лиги, а комиссар Джерри Курц заявил: "Мы полностью рассчитываем на возвращение как "Чикаго", так и "Юты" в семью AFL в ближайшем будущем".
On September 28, 2009, the Thunder announced their intention to join Arena Football 1 for the 2010 season and beyond, also announcing relocation to the E Center (now Maverik Center) in West Valley City. Over two months later, on December 8, AF1 was awarded the original AFL's assets after they submitted the highest bid in a bankruptcy court auction. Current AF1 teams were given the right to adopt the former AFL teams' identities, but initially, Utah chose to brand as the "Utah Thunder." The Blaze's previous owner attempted to claim the Blaze logo as his own, but was unsuccessful in doing so. Finally, on January 26, 2010, the team announced it would indeed be using the Blaze name and logo. Less than a month later, the AF1 announced it was going back to the former Arena Football League moniker. On January 25, 2011, the team announced in a press release that they would be moving back to the EnergySolutions Arena. Quarterback Tommy Grady set the single season touchdown record throwing his 118th against the Georgia Force, on June 23, 2012. The Blaze also clinched their first winning season in franchise history during the 2012 season. For the 2012 season the Blaze's defensive line was coined "Sack Lake City" due to their tremendous amount of pressure and quarterback sacks. In a game against the Iowa Barnstormers the Blaze recorded a league record 11 sacks in one game. Led by the combination of Caesar Rayford and Mike Lewis with 3.5 sacks each. In 2 seasons with the Utah Blaze the pair have recorded 3 All Pro Honors, along with 40 sacks combined. In March 2013, Co Owner Kristin Murdock sold her majority ownership share of the team to Salt Lake City businesswoman, Kim Brown. In September 2013, the Arena Football League announced that the Utah Blaze had not submitted paperwork to the league committing for both the 2014 and 2015 seasons. As a result, the Blaze (along with the Chicago Rush) were removed from the league, with Commissioner Jerry Kurz stating, "We fully expect both Chicago and Utah to return to become members of the AFL family again in the near future".
Оставленные номера
Юта Блейз вывели из обращения номера№ИгрокПозицияСезоныСсылка 3 Джастин Скаггс WR/LB 2006–2007
Зал славы «Юта Блейз». № Имя Год введения в Зал славы Позиция(и) Годы в составе «Блейз» – Дэнни Уайт 2002 Главный тренер 2006–2008
Utah Blaze Hall of FamersNo. NameYear inductedPosition(s)Years w/ Blaze – Danny White 2002 Head Coach 2006–2008
Тренеры
Главный тренерСрок пребывания в должностиРекорд регулярного сезона (В–П)Рекорд в плей-офф (В–П)Последний тренерский штабПримечанияДэнни Уайт2006–200821–270–3Тренер DL / LB: Линдси ХасселлГлавный тренер защиты / Директор по работе с игроками: Рон ДжеймсСпециальный тренер / Директор по футбольной деятельности: Скотт ЛиберБывший квотербек команды «Даллас Ковбойс».Тренер года 1993Участник Матча всех звезд 1993 – тренерЗал славы Арена Футбольной лигиПосвящен в 2002 году.Чад ДеГрениер200911–30–1Сезон был сыгран в Американской ассоциации футбола в помещении.Эрнесто Пернсли20101–60–0Нападающий тренер: Генеральный менеджер / Главный тренер защиты: Специальный тренер / Директор по футбольной деятельности: Заменен Роном Джеймсом в течение сезона 2010Рон Джеймс2010–201329–321–1Нападающий тренер: Мэтью СаукГлавный тренер защиты: Роб КифМенеджер оборудования: Рори КраучГлавный тренер защиты / Директор по работе с игроками (2007–2008).Президент / Владелец (2012)Тренер года AFL (2012)
Head coachTenureRegular seasonrecord (W–L)Post seasonrecord (W–L)Most recent coaching staffNotesDanny White2006–200821–270–3DL / LB Coach: Lindsay HassellDC / Dir. Player Personnel: Ron JamesST coordinator / Dir. Football Ops. : Scott LieberFormer Dallas Cowboys quarterback.1993 Coach of the Year1993 All Star game – coachArena Football League Hall of FameClass of 2002. Chad DeGrenier200911–30–1Season was played in the American Indoor Football Association. Ernesto Purnsley20101–60–0OC: GM / DC: ST coordinator / Dir. Football Ops. : Replaced By Ron James during the 2010 SeasonRon James2010–201329–321–1OC: Matthew SaukDC: Rob KeefeEquipment manager: Rory CrouchDC / Director ofPlayer Personnel (2007–2008). President / Owner (2012)AFL Coach of the Year (2012)