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For current information on this topic, see 2008 Chicago Rush season |
| Chicago Rush | ||
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| Conference | American | |
| Division | Central | |
| Year founded | 2001 | |
| Home arena | Allstate Arena | |
| City, State | Rosemont, Illinois | |
| Head Coach | Mike Hohensee | |
| ArenaBowl championships | 1: 2006 |
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| Conference titles | 1: 2006 |
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| Division titles | 4: 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008 |
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| Wild Card berths | 4: 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006 |
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The Chicago Rush is a team in the Arena Football League. The 2008 Chicago Rush season is the eighth season for the franchise The Central Division is one of four divisions that make up the Arena Football League. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. The Allstate Arena is a Sports Arena in Rosemont Illinois, which is home to the Chicago Wolves hockey club DePaul University See also the Rosemont Convention Center Rosemont is a village in Cook County Illinois, that is a suburb of Chicago and is in the midst of a huge metropolitan Mike Hohensee (born 1961-02-22) is an American Arena Football League coach for the Chicago Rush and has been since the team's inception The ArenaBowl is the Arena Football League 's championship game The Arena Football League (AFL was founded in 1987 as an American football indoor league. They began play as a 2001 expansion team.
Contents |
History
The team made its AFL debut in 2001. Although their administrative offices are based in Des Plaines, Illinois, northwest of Chicago and near O'Hare International Airport, the team plays its home games in neighboring Rosemont, Illinois at Allstate Arena (formerly known as the Rosemont Horizon), the same venue previously used by the Chicago Bruisers, one of the four original Arena Football League teams. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. See also the Rosemont Convention Center Rosemont is a village in Cook County Illinois, that is a suburb of Chicago and is in the midst of a huge metropolitan The Allstate Arena is a Sports Arena in Rosemont Illinois, which is home to the Chicago Wolves hockey club DePaul University The Chicago Bruisers were a charter member of the Arena Football League, playing in the four-team "demonstration season" of 1987. The Rush compete in the Central Division of the American Conference. Former Chicago Bears coach and player Mike Ditka is a co-owner of the team. The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. Michael Keller Ditka Jr (born October 18, 1939, in Carnegie Pennsylvania) also known as Iron Mike Ditka or Da Coach, is a former
The Rush have made the playoffs every year in the franchise's short history, and so far, they have made one ArenaBowl appearance. The ArenaBowl is the Arena Football League 's championship game In their inaugural year (2001), the Rush won their very first playoff game, beating the Orlando Predators 41-26, but lost to the eventual ArenaBowl XV champion Grand Rapids Rampage 53-21. The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando Florida that was founded in 1991 ArenaBowl XV was the 2001 edition of the Arena Football League 's championship game pairing the Grand Rapids Rampage of the Central Division with the The Grand Rapids Rampage is an Arena Football League team that began playing as a 1998 expansion team In 2002, the Rush won the Central division and received a bye in the playoffs. They defeated the Dallas Desperados 60-47, but fell in the semifinals to the Arizona Rattlers 46-35. The Dallas Desperados are a professional Arena Football team in the Eastern Division of the Arena Football League. The Arizona Rattlers are an Arena Football League team based in Phoenix Arizona, that began play as a 1992 Expansion team. In 2003, the Rush had a . 500 regular season, yet got into the playoffs. They fell in Round 1 to the New York Dragons 48-45. The New York Dragons are an Arena Football League team who were formed in 1995 as the Iowa Barnstormers. In 2004, the Rush won the Central division with an 11-5 record. They won their first round game 59-49 over the Orlando Predators, but they fell in the semifinals to the eventual ArenaBowl XVIII champion San Jose SaberCats 49-35. The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando Florida that was founded in 1991 ArenaBowl XVIII saw the San Jose SaberCats and Arizona Rattlers competing for the 2004 Arena Football League championship The San Jose SaberCats are an Arena Football League team that began play as a 1995 expansion team In 2005, they went to the AFL playoffs as the #3 seed in the American Conference. They won the conference semifinal over the Los Angeles Avengers 52-45, but ended up losing the American Conference Championship Game to the eventual ArenaBowl XIX Champion Colorado Crush in overtime, with a final score of 49-43. The Los Angeles Avengers is an Arena Football League (AFL team based in Los Angeles California and they began play as a 2000 expansion team ArenaBowl XIX was the 2005 championship game of the Arena Football League, and was played at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Nevada Colorado Crush is an Arena Football League team that began play as a 2003 expansion team That game became known as the "Confetti Game", due to an arena employee firing a confetti cannon prematurely, when the game was extended due to a defensive penalty on the final play. After a ten minute delay to clean the confetti, the Rush were able to tie the game on the untimed down, forcing the overtime period.
In 2006, despite their first losing record of 7-9, the Rush got into the playoffs, receiving the #5 seed in the American Conference. In the playoffs, the Rush managed to pull off key upsets. In the Wild Card Round, the Rush defeated the fourth-seeded Nashville Kats 55-47. This page is for the second Nashville Kats franchise which began play in the Arena Football League in 2005 In the Divisional Round, Chicago managed to pull off a huge upset by taking down the defending champion Colorado Crush, 63-46. Colorado Crush is an Arena Football League team that began play as a 2003 expansion team In the Conference Championship they upset the second-seeded San Jose SaberCats 59-56, giving the Rush their very first ArenaBowl appearance in franchise history. The San Jose SaberCats are an Arena Football League team that began play as a 1995 expansion team
In ArenaBowl XX, the Rush defeated the Orlando Predators, 69-61, to give Chicago their first Arena Bowl title. ArenaBowl XX, held on Sunday June 11, 2006, was played to determine the Championship of the 2006 season of the Arena Football League The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando Florida that was founded in 1991 Quarterback Matt D'Orazio was Offensive Player of the Game, wide receiver/defensive back Dennison Robinson took Defensive Player of the Game honors, and fullback/linebacker Bob McMillen was named the Ironman of the Game. With the win, the Rush became the first team with a losing regular-season record to win a championship in any sport since the 1937-38 Chicago Blackhawks.
In 2007 they won the American Conference Central Division with a record of 12-4. They defeated the L. A. Avengers on June 9th, 2007 in the divisional finals. They then played the San Jose SaberCats for the conference final, yet they came up short losing 61-49. The San Jose SaberCats are an Arena Football League team that began play as a 1995 expansion team
In 2008, the Rush launched a black jersey in an game against the Los Angeles Avengers. The Los Angeles Avengers is an Arena Football League (AFL team based in Los Angeles California and they began play as a 2000 expansion team The Rush won the game 72-28. The game was televised on ESPN2. ESPN2 debuted on October 1, 1993, as a sister station of ESPN.
Miscellaneous
- The Rush's official mascot is a friendly construction worker named Grabowski[1], a reference to Chicago's blue collar [2] background, which was coined by Mike Ditka in January of 1986. Construction workers are employed in the Construction industry and work predominately on Construction sites and are typically engaged in aspects of the industry Michael Keller Ditka Jr (born October 18, 1939, in Carnegie Pennsylvania) also known as Iron Mike Ditka or Da Coach, is a former
- Before ultimately choosing the nickname Rush, the team was going to be called the Chicago Paytons, to honor the late Bears' great, Walter Payton, who, along with Ditka, was to be part owner of the team. Walter Jerry Payton (July 25 1954 – November 1 1999 was an American football player who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League
- The Rush currently share the Allstate Arena with the DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball team and the Chicago Wolves hockey team. DePaul University is a private institution of Higher education and Research in Chicago, Illinois, U The Chicago Wolves are a professional hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. In addition to pro sports, the Horizon is often used for Icecapades and professional wrestling.
Season-by-season
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties
| Season | W | L | T | Finish | Playoff results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 4th AC Central | Won Week 1 (Orlando) Lost Week 2 (Grand Rapids) |
| 2002 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 1st AC Central | Won Week 2 (Dallas) Lost Week 3 (Arizona) |
| 2003 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 3rd AC Central | Lost Week 1 (New York) |
| 2004 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 1st AC Central | Won Week 1 (Orlando) Lost Week 2 (San Jose) |
| 2005 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2nd AC Central | Won Week 1 (Los Angeles) Lost AC Championship (Colorado) |
| 2006 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 3rd AC Central | Won Wild Card (Nashville) Won Divisional (Colorado) Won AC Championship (San Jose) Won ArenaBowl XX (Orlando) |
| 2007 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 1st AC Central | Won Divisional (Los Angeles) Lost AC Championship (San Jose) |
| *2008 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 1st AC Central | -- |
| Totals | 79 | 53 | 0 | (including playoffs) | |
* = Current Standing
Coaches
Head Coach: Mike Hohensee 2001-Present
Defensive Coordinator/Line Coach: Walt Housman 2001-Present
Wide Receivers Coach/Special Teams Coordinator: Ryan Leonard 2005-Present
Fullbacks/Linebackers Coach: Bob McMillen 2008-Present
Asst. The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando Florida that was founded in 1991 The Grand Rapids Rampage is an Arena Football League team that began playing as a 1998 expansion team The Dallas Desperados are a professional Arena Football team in the Eastern Division of the Arena Football League. The Arizona Rattlers are an Arena Football League team based in Phoenix Arizona, that began play as a 1992 Expansion team. The New York Dragons are an Arena Football League team who were formed in 1995 as the Iowa Barnstormers. The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando Florida that was founded in 1991 The San Jose SaberCats are an Arena Football League team that began play as a 1995 expansion team The Los Angeles Avengers is an Arena Football League (AFL team based in Los Angeles California and they began play as a 2000 expansion team Colorado Crush is an Arena Football League team that began play as a 2003 expansion team This page is for the second Nashville Kats franchise which began play in the Arena Football League in 2005 Colorado Crush is an Arena Football League team that began play as a 2003 expansion team The San Jose SaberCats are an Arena Football League team that began play as a 1995 expansion team ArenaBowl XX, held on Sunday June 11, 2006, was played to determine the Championship of the 2006 season of the Arena Football League The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando Florida that was founded in 1991 The 2007 Chicago Rush season is the seventh season for the franchise The Los Angeles Avengers is an Arena Football League (AFL team based in Los Angeles California and they began play as a 2000 expansion team The San Jose SaberCats are an Arena Football League team that began play as a 1995 expansion team Mike Hohensee (born 1961-02-22) is an American Arena Football League coach for the Chicago Rush and has been since the team's inception Head Coach/Defensive Backs Coach: Brian Schwartze 2003-Present
Team Roster
| Uniform # | Player | Position | Height | Weight (lb) | AFL Experience(yrs) | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | Dan Alexander | FB/LB | 6'0" | 265 | 3 | Nebraska |
| 23 | DeJuan Alfonzo | WR/LB | 6'0" | 205 | 6 | Indiana St. |
| 45 | Erik Arevalo | FB | 6'4" | 285 | 0 | Azusa Pacific |
| 13 | Sherdrick Bonner | QB | 6'4" | 245 | 14 | Cal-State Northridge |
| 94 | Robert Boss | OL/DL | 6'5" | 296 | 0 | N. Michigan |
| 9 | Ryan Dennard | WR | 6'3" | 215 | 2 | Arizona St. |
| 56 | Beau Elliot | OL | 6'3" | 320 | 0 | Indiana (PA) |
| 4 | Dan Frantz | K | 6'1" | 200 | 4 | Portland St. |
| 80 | Reggie Gray | WR | 5'11" | 170 | 0 | W. Illinois |
| 1 | Damian Harrell | WR | 6'3" | 182 | 9 | Florida St. |
| 19 | Carlos Hendricks | DB | 5'11" | 190 | 0 | UAB |
| 25 | Matt Kinsigner | FB | 6'1" | 262 | 7 | Slippery Rock |
| 88 | Travis LaTendresse | WR | 6'1" | 200 | 1 | Utah |
| 11 | Rob Mager | WR | 6'3" | 205 | 1 | Indianapolis |
| 90 | Ben McCombs | DL | 6'3" | 260 | 0 | Mid-America Nazarene |
| 8 | Russ Michna | QB | 6'2" | 220 | 1 | W. Illinois |
| 2 | Donovan Morgan | WR | 6'2" | 195 | 0 | Louisiana-Lafayette |
| 99 | John Moyer | OL/DL | 6'3" | 265 | 9 | E. Illinois |
| 20 | Jonathan Ordway | DB | 5'10" | 178 | 5 | Boston College |
| 93 | Joe Peters | OL/DL | 6'5" | 275 | 2 | Concordia |
| 21 | Dennison Robinson | WR/DB | 6'0" | 195 | 6 | W. Georgia |
| 7 | James Sadler | WR/DB | 6'0" | 205 | 1 | SW Oklahoma |
| 98 | John Sikora | OL/DL | 6'4" | 280 | 8 | Slippery Rock |
| 58 | Khreem Smith | OL/DL | 6'4" | 270 | 1 | Oklahoma St. |
| 10 | Clinton Solomon | WR | 6'4" | 217 | 0 | Iowa |
| 37 | Jeremy Unertl | WR/DB | 6'2" | 220 | 3 | WI-Lacrosse |
| 97 | Demetrios Walker | DL | 6'3" | 260 | 0 | M. Tenn. St. |
| 3 | Talib Wise | DB | 5'10" | 200 | 1 | Nevada |
| 75 | Nick Zeck | DL | 6'4" | 290 | 0 | Lakeland College |
Awards and Records
This section contains all records, awards, and honors acquired by Rush players in individual seasons. Robert Daniel Alexander (born June 17, 1955 in Houston Texas) was a tackle and guard who played thirteen seasons in the The University of Nebraska is the public University system in the state of Nebraska, USA. DeJuan R Alfonzo (born January 12, 1977 in Indianapolis Indiana) is an American football Wide receiver / Linebacker Indiana State University ( ISU) is a Public university that is located in Terre Haute Indiana, United States. Azusa Pacific University is a private non-denominational evangelical Christian university located near Los Angeles in suburban Azusa, Sherdrick Bonner (born October 19, 1968) is an Arena football Quarterback who is currently a Free agent in the Arena Football California State University Northridge (also known as CSUN, Cal State Northridge) is a public university in the San Fernando Valley, within the city limits Robert L Boss (born October 19, 1983 in Charlevoix Michigan) is an American football Offensive lineman / Defensive lineman Northern Michigan University is a four-year Public university established in 1899 located in Marquette, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Arizona State University ( ASU) is the largest public Research university in the United States under a single administration with total student Indiana University of Pennsylvania (or IUP) is a public university located in the Borough of Indiana, Pennsylvania, USA, northeast Daniel Lee Frantz (born July 9, 1977 in Vancouver Washington) is a former American football kicker for the Chicago Rush Portland State University (PSU is a public state Urban university located in downtown Portland Oregon, United States. Reggie Gray (born April 29, 1984 in Chicago Illinois) is an American football Wide receiver for the Chicago Rush. Western Illinois University is a public university founded in 1899 as Western Illinois State Normal School Damian Deron Harrell (born September 1, 1975 in Miami, Florida) is an Arena football Wide receiver who is currently a Florida State University (commonly referred to as Florida State or FSU) is a public Research University located in Tallahassee Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (also known as The Rock or SRU) is a public master's-level University that offers some doctoral programs in cooperation The University of Utah (referred to locally as ' The U' or ' the U of U') is a publicly funded Research university in Salt Lake The University of Indianapolis is a University located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Ben McCombs (born October 2, 1977) former guitarist for the rock group Outside, and singer songwriter guitarist mandolinist and keyboardist for MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU is a Christian Liberal arts college in Olathe, Kansas. Russell Walter Michna (born February 3, 1981 in Elk Grove Village Illinois) is an American football Quarterback for the Western Illinois University is a public university founded in 1899 as Western Illinois State Normal School Donovan Morgan (born July 29, 1982 in New Orleans, Louisiana) is an American football Wide receiver for the Chicago History Timeline 1898 - State approved the creation of an "industrial institute and academy Eastern Illinois University is a state University located in Charleston, Illinois. Jonathan David Ordway (born October 19, 1978 in Seffner Florida) is an American football Defensive back for the Chicago For similarly-named academic institutions see Education in Boston MA. Concordia University St Paul is a Liberal arts university located in Saint Paul Minnesota. Marquette Dennison Robinson (born September 7, 1978 in Monroe Louisiana) is an American football Defensive back for the The University of West Georgia is a comprehensive residential State University located in Carrollton Georgia, approximately 50 miles (80 km West of Atlanta Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (also known as The Rock or SRU) is a public master's-level University that offers some doctoral programs in cooperation Khreem Smith (born July 7, 1979 in St James Jamaica) is an American football Defensive end who is currently activated by the The University of Iowa, is a major teaching service and Research university located on a campus in Iowa City Iowa, on the banks of the Iowa River Jeremy Dale Unertl (born September 15, 1978 in Hartford Wisconsin) is an American football Defensive back for the Chicago Rush The University of Wisconsin–La Crosse (also known as UW–La Crosse, Wisconsin-La Crosse, or UW-L) is a Public university located in La Middle Tennessee State University (founded September 11, 1911, and commonly abbreviated as MTSU) is an American University located Lakeland College amy refer to Lakeland College (Wisconsin, a college in Sheboygan County Wisconsin Lakeland College (Alberta, a community Career records weren't included as not all players spent career with Rush
- Chicago Rush
- 2004
- Commissioner's Award
- 2007
- Commissioner's Award
- 2004
- DeJuan Alfonzo
- 2006
- All-Ironman Team WR/LB
- 2007
- Assists Season Leaders, 49
- Fumble Returns Season Leaders, 5
- Interception Yards Season Leaders, 147
- Interception TDs Season Leaders, 3
- First Team All-Arena JLB
- All-Ironman Team WR/LB
- 2006
- James Baron
- 2002
- First Team All-Arena OL/DL
- 2002
- Antonio Chatman
- 2002
- All-Rookie Team OS
- 2003
- Kick Returns Season Leaders, 84
- Kick Return Yards Season Leaders, 2062
- Kick Return TDs Season Leaders, 7
- Second Team All-Arena OS
- 2002
- Matt D'Orazio
- 2006
- Completion Percentage Season Leaders (min. DeJuan R Alfonzo (born January 12, 1977 in Indianapolis Indiana) is an American football Wide receiver / Linebacker James Baron (born June 8, 1973 in Hammond Indiana) is an Arena football Defensive lineman who is currently a Free agent Antonio Tavaras Chatman (born February 12, 1979 in Jackson Alabama) is an American football Wide receiver and Punt returner Matthew "Matt" Louis D’Orazio (born October 1, 1976 in Elyria Ohio) is an Arena football Quarterback who currently 150 Attempts), 70. 3%
- ArenaBowl XX Offensive Player of the Game
- 2007
- QB Rating Season Leaders (min. 150 Attempts), 126. 24
- Completion Percentage Season Leaders (min. 150 Attempts), 69. 1%
- 2006
- Dan Frantz
- 2007
- Extra Points (1 pt) Season Leaders, 104
- 2007
- Keith Gispert
- 2003
- All-Rookie Team K
- 2005
- FG Percentage Season Leaders (min. Daniel Lee Frantz (born July 9, 1977 in Vancouver Washington) is a former American football kicker for the Chicago Rush 15 Attempts), 61. 1%
- 2003
- Jamie McGourty
- 2002
- TD/Rush Pct. Season Leaders (min. 25 rushes), 34. 5
- 2002
- Bob McMillen
- 2004
- Rushes Season Leaders, 79
- Rushing Yards Season Leaders, 285
- Rushing TDs Season Leaders, 22
- All-Ironman Team FB/LB
- 2006
- ArenaBowl XX Ironman of the Game
- 2004
- Etu Molden
- 2004
- All-Rookie Team WR/LB
- 2005
- All-Ironman Team WR/LB
- 2004
- John Moyer
- 2002
- Second Team All-Arena OL/DL
- 2003
- Sacks Season Leaders, 9. Robert Earl "Bob" McMillen (born March 5, 1928) was an American athlete who competed mainly in the 1500 metres Etu Baraka Molden (born January 18, 1979 in Sacramento California) is an Arena Football League Wide receiver / Linebacker 0
- First Team All-Arena OL/DL
- All-Ironman Team OL/DL
- 2004
- Sacks Season Leaders, 9. 0
- Blocked Kicks Season Leaders, 3
- First Team All-Arena OL/DL
- All-Ironman Team OL/DL
- Lineman of the Year
- 2005
- Blocked Kicks Season Leaders, 3
- Second Team All-Arena OL/DL
- 2002
- Raymond Philyaw
- 2004
- TD/Rush Pct. Raymond Philyaw (born July 30, 1974 in Shreveport Louisiana) is an Arena football Quarterback who currently plays for the Cleveland Season Leaders (min. 25 rushes), 32. 4
- 2004
- Dameon Porter
- 2001
- Yards/Reception Season Leaders (min. Dameon Porter (born 1975-05-21) is a former Wide receiver / Defensive back in the Arena Football League. 40 receptions), 16. 3
- Interceptions Season Leaders, 12
- First Team All-Arena WR/DB
- All-Ironman Team WR/DB
- Breakout Player of the Year
- Ironman of the Year
- 2002
- Interceptions Season Leaders, 10
- First Team All-Arena WR/DB
- All-Ironman Team WR/DB
- 2001
- Dennison Robinson
- 2006
- ArenaBowl XX Defensive Player of the Game
- 2007
- Tackles Season Leaders, 95
- 2006
- Bobby Sippio
- 2007
- Receiving Yards Season Leaders, 1742
- Receiving TDs Season Leaders, 53 TDs
- TD/Reception Pct. Marquette Dennison Robinson (born September 7, 1978 in Monroe Louisiana) is an American football Defensive back for the Robert Lee Sippio Jr (born December 4, 1980 in) is an American football Wide receiver who is currently a Free agent. Season Leaders (min. 40 receptions), 42. 4
- First Team All-Arena WR
- 2007
- Khreem Smith
- 2006
- Forced Fumbles Season Leaders, 5
- Second Team All-Arena OL/DL
- All-Rookie Team OL/DL
- 2006
- Jeremy Unertl
- 2007
- Second Team All-Arena DB
- 2007
External links
- Chicago Rush Official Website
- Rush Arena Bowl Story in Arizona's S&E News
- Chicago Rush at ArenaFan.com
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Chicago Rush seasons
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| 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
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