California Cougars

Last updated
California Cougars
Smcougars.png
Full nameCalifornia Cougars
Founded2004
Dissolved2011
Ground Stockton Arena
Capacity10,050
Managing PartnersArt Pulido/Nanci Adinolfi

The California Cougars were an indoor soccer team, founded in 2004. The team was a charter member of the Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL-Pro), the first division of arena (indoor) soccer in North America.

Contents

They played their home matches at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, California. Their team colors were red, gold and black. The team's head coach was Antonio Sutton.

History

In February 2004, John Thomas, a real estate developer, purchased an expansion team in the Major Indoor Soccer League for Stockton, California. The team was named the California Cougars so that it would represent all of northern California as a regional team.

The first general manager was Dennis Lukens, a former "A" League GM who oversaw the start up operation. He was succeeded by Emily Ballus, a former executive with the WUSA. Because it is only 40 miles south of Sacramento, the team hoped to draw fans of the old Sacramento Knights of the CISL and WISL. The team began play in the 2005–2006 season after the construction of its arena. In August 2006, the team was purchased by Rick and Greg Toy and their brother in-law Jim Rachels.

In May 2008, the team announced that it was joining the Professional Arena Soccer League and would be renamed the Stockton Cougars. [1] In April 2009, local businessman Fred Walke purchased majority interest in the franchise. For the 2009–2010 season Stockton Cougars went back to calling itself California Cougars. [2]

Year-by-year

YearLeagueLogoReg. SeasonPlayoffsAvg. attendance
2005–2006MISL II Smcougars.png 6th MISL, 10–20Did not qualify3,170
2006–2007MISL II Smcougars.png 6th MISL, 7–23Did not qualify3,612
2007–2008MISL II Smcougars.png 8th MISL, 11–19Did not qualify5,095
2008–2009PASL-Pro StocktonCougarslogo.jpg 1st Western,12–4Won Championship2,358
2009–2010PASL-Pro Smcougars.png 2nd Western, 12–4Lost Semifinal942
2010–2011PASL-Pro Smcougars.png 4th Western, 5–10Did not qualify721

Playoff record

YearWinLossGFGAGD
2008–20092023149
2009–2010111314−1
Total3136288

Coaches

Head coaches

Assistant coaches

Arenas

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References

  1. PASL
  2. 1 2 Dhillon, Jagdip (July 26, 2009). "New Cougars owner has one goal in mind". The Record . Stockton, CA: Dow Jones Local Media Group . Retrieved September 7, 2013.