Duluth Harbor Monsters

Last updated
Duluth Harbor Monsters
AmericanFootball current event.svg Current season
Established 2023
Play in Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth Harbor Monsters Logo.png
League/conference affiliations
Current uniform
Team colorsDark Blue, Light Blue, Gold, Grey
    
MascotRipp (#24)
CheerleadersHarbor Monsters Cheer
Personnel
Owner(s)Brent LaBrie
Troy Geary
General managerSteven Walters
Head coach Tony O'Neil
Team history
  • Duluth Harbor Monsters (2024–present)
Championships
League championships (1)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (0)
Home arena(s)
Kramer Service Group Field at DECC Arena (2024–present)

The Duluth Harbor Monsters are an Arena football team based in Duluth, Minnesota. They were announced as one of the four inaugural teams of The Arena League on April 5, 2023. [1] This is the second professional arena/indoor football team to the Duluth area, the first being the Duluth-Superior Lumberjacks of the IFL. [2] The team plays their games at the DECC Arena.

Contents

History

Duluth was announced as the second team on April 5, 2023, to be a part of the inaugural season of The Arena League. The announcement was made at a press conference at the Garden Event Center in Duluth and included notable figures including the city mayor, Emily Larson and the league commissioner, Tim Brown. [3]

The DECC Arena agreed to a 3-year lease to be the home field for the team. [4]

Team name and logos

On July 27, 2023 team owner, Brent LaBrie, announced the four finalists for the team name: Sasquatch, Norsemen, Harbor Monsters, and Lakers. [5] [6] The represented city name was also narrowed down to four finalists: Twin Ports, Minnesota, Lake Superior, and Duluth.

The team name and logo was announced August 24, 2023 at a press conference held at the DECC. The team is called the Duluth Harbor Monsters. [7]

The Duluth Harbor Monsters were named after receiving nearly 2,000 entries in a "Name-the-Team" contest, which was followed by a vote of the most popular four names for the city moniker and team name. The fan voting ended in nearly a three-way tie between Sasquatch, Norsemen, and Harbor Monsters.

Sparked by the historical Mishipeshu legend of the underwater panther, or monster, in Lake Superior, the logo features a character that is aimed to be tough and gritty like the people of the Twin Ports. The colors of blue and gold were incorporated to pay homage to the Minnesota state colors.

Ryan Foose of Foose Sports designed a series of alternate marks to accompany the primary logo including one specific for the team's helmets and another for the end zone on the field. An alternate logo also features a second call back to the city's history with a "Zenith" star.

The winner of the Name-The-Team contest was Minnesota resident, Ian Thorpe.

Roster

On December 18, 2023 the Harbor Monsters signed Ja’Vonte Johnson, the franchise's first player. [8]

The Harbor Monsters' first open tryouts were held on January 6, 2024. The team's second open tryouts were held on February 2, 2024.

On May 14, 2024, Terrance Wenzel was signed. [9] Wenzel previously played for the Minnesota Myth of the Arena Football League.

Duluth Harbor Monsters roster
Players
  • 1Ja’Vonte Johnson QB
  • 2Moe Strong WR
  • 3KJ Felder, Jr. WR/KR
  • 5Joshua Murray DB
  • 6Ledarian McAllister WR
  • 7Lovell Spruce LB
  • 9Vontrez Phelps DB
  • 12Dejonte Skie WR
  • 13Isaiah Essien WR
  • 14 Terrance Wenzel DB/KR
  • 19Nathan Chromy WR
  • 21Willie McCalebb LB
  • 24Emmanuel Prather DB
  • 26Trevor Kerr LB
  • 44Travis Whitlock FB
Reserve lists
  • 0Henry G. Pigeé DB
  • 2Malik Davison -
  • 3Kyaire Bynum LB
  • 4Derek Daniels, Jr. RB
  • 5Keon Singleton LB
  • 6Jacob Husnik OL
  • 8Rashawn Gant DB
  • 9Jontiere Terry-Thomas WR
  • 9Clarence Taylor DB
  • 13Austin Gray RB
  • 26Savion Johnson -
  • 26Nathan Raggs -
  • 69Casey Pallagas OL
  • -De'Ron Maxwell DB
  • - Hassan Brockman ATH
  • - Richy Anderson ATH
  • Rookies in italics
  • updated July 6, 2024
  • 15 Active, 16 Inactive

Season-by-season

SeasonGPRecordPFPAFinishPlayoffs
202485-33903542nd of 4 TALW 50-18 vs. Ozarks Lunkers
W 46-44 vs. Iowa Woo
ARENAMANIA 1 CHAMPIONS

Staff

Duluth Harbor Monsters staff
Front office
  • Owner- Brent LaBrie
  • General manager – Steve Walters
  • Assistant general manager – Eric Elwood
  • Director of player personnel – Jaysen "Yogi" Howard
 Head coaches
  • Head coach – Tony O'Neil
  • Assistant coach – Robert Meeks

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive coordinator – Junior Gregory

Defensive coaches

  • Defensive coordinator – TBA

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams coordinator – Jaysen "Yogi" Howard

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning coach – D'Andre Sherill

Athletic trainer

  • Betty Pollock

Management

On July 27, 2023 Kramer Sports and Entertainment was announced as the owner of the team, led by Brent LaBrie, Dan Manor, Becca Ress, and Candyce Sorensen were announced as the team operations managers. [6] LaBrie is the CEO of Hi-Tec Finishing and Kramer Service Group; his companies have sponsored NHRA drag racing, including racer Del Worsham. [10]

On October 2, 2023 Steven Walters was named as the team's general manager. [11]

Tony O'Neil was announced as the team's inaugural head coach on October 16, 2023. O'Neil previously was an assistant coach at Duluth Denfeld and also played professional arena football for three years. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duluth, Minnesota</span> City in Minnesota, U.S.

Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of St. Louis County. Located on Lake Superior in Minnesota's Arrowhead Region, the city is a hub for cargo shipping. The population was 86,697 at the 2020 census, making it Minnesota's fifth-largest city. Duluth forms a metropolitan area with neighboring Superior, Wisconsin, called the Twin Ports. It is south of the Iron Range and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It is named after Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut, the area's first known European explorer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ironwood, Michigan</span> City in Michigan, United States

Ironwood is a city in Gogebic County in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan, about 18 miles (29 km) south of Lake Superior. The city is on US Highway 2 across the Montreal River from Hurley, Wisconsin. It is the westernmost city in Michigan, situated on the same line of longitude as Clinton, Iowa and St. Louis, Missouri. The population was 5,045 at the 2020 census, down from 5,387 at the 2010 census. The city is bordered by Ironwood Township to the north, but the two are administered autonomously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virginia, Minnesota</span> City in Minnesota, United States

Virginia is a city in St. Louis County, Minnesota, United States, on the Mesabi Iron Range. With an economy heavily reliant on large-scale iron ore mining, Virginia is considered the Mesabi Range's commercial center. The population was 8,423 people at the 2020 census. Virginia is a part of the Duluth metropolitan area, and U.S. Highway 53 runs through town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Target Center</span> Arena in Minnesota, United States

Target Center is a multi-purpose arena located in Minneapolis that opened in 1990. It hosts major family shows, concerts, sporting events, graduations and private events. Target Corporation, founded and headquartered in Minneapolis since 1902, has held the naming rights to the arena since its opening.

WDIO-DT is a television station in Duluth, Minnesota, United States, affiliated with ABC and owned by Hubbard Broadcasting. The station's studios and transmitter are located on Observation Road in Duluth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duluth Entertainment Convention Center</span> Arena & convention center in Duluth, MN

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) is a multi-purpose arena and convention center complex located in Duluth, Minnesota. It was home to the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's hockey team from 1966-2010. The DECC is located on the waterfront near Duluth's famous Aerial Lift Bridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marshall School</span> Private, independent school in Duluth, Minnesota, , United States

Marshall School is an independent, coeducational, day school in Duluth, Minnesota for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Marshall School is sometimes referred to as Duluth Marshall at Minnesota State High School League athletic tournaments.

KDLH is a television station in Duluth, Minnesota, United States, affiliated with The CW Plus. It is owned by Gray Television alongside Superior, Wisconsin–licensed dual NBC/CBS affiliate KBJR-TV, channel 6. The two stations share studios on South Lake Avenue in Canal Park, downtown Duluth; KDLH's transmitter is located west of downtown in Hilltop Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KBJR-TV</span> NBC/CBS/MyNetworkTV affiliate in Superior, Wisconsin–Duluth, Minnesota

KBJR-TV is a television station licensed to Superior, Wisconsin, United States, serving the Duluth, Minnesota, area as an affiliate of NBC and CBS. It is owned by Gray Television alongside CW+ affiliate KDLH. The two stations share studios on South Lake Avenue in Canal Park, downtown Duluth; KBJR-TV's transmitter is located west of downtown in Hilltop Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KQDS-TV</span> Fox affiliate in Duluth, Minnesota

KQDS-TV is a television station in Duluth, Minnesota, United States, affiliated with the Fox network. Owned by Coastal Television Broadcasting Company, the station has studios on London Road in Duluth, and its transmitter is located west of downtown in Hilltop Park. Master control and some internal operations are based out of the studio facilities of sister station and fellow Fox affiliate KVRR on South 40th Street and South 9th Avenue in Fargo, North Dakota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roger Reinert</span> American politician

Roger Jonathon Reinert is an American politician, mayor of Duluth, Minnesota, and member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL). He served in the Minnesota House from 2009 to 2011 and the Minnesota Senate from 2011 to 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saara Niemi</span> Finnish ice hockey player and coach

Saara Elisa Nieminée Tuominen is a Finnish ice hockey coach and former player. She has served as head coach of IFK Helsinki in the Auroraliiga since 2018, and as an assistant coach to the Finnish national team since 2021. At the 2006 Torino Olympics, Tuominen competed for Finland. scoring one goal and four assists. She was an alternate captain for Finland's women's ice hockey team at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver where the Finns won the bronze medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs</span> Athletic teams of the University of Minnesota Duluth

The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs are the athletic teams that represent the University of Minnesota Duluth. They were first named Bulldogs in 1933. Their colors are maroon and gold. The school competes in the NCAA's Division II and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference in all sports except ice hockey. The men's team competes in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, and the women's hockey program compete in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Both hockey conferences are Division I. They are also known for having a strong club sports program, especially in ultimate frisbee, lacrosse, rugby, alpine skiing and ice hockey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AMSOIL Arena</span>

AMSOIL Arena is a multipurpose arena in Duluth, Minnesota, home to the UMD Men's and UMD Women's hockey teams. It opened in 2010, replacing the DECC Arena on the waterfront near Duluth's landmark Aerial Lift Bridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harbor City Roller Derby</span> Roller derby league

Harbor City Roller Derby (HCRD) is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Duluth, Minnesota. Founded in 2007, the league consists of two teams, which compete against teams from other leagues. Harbor City is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Arena League</span> Professional American arena football league

The Arena League is a six-on-six indoor American football league in the United States. The league launched in 2024 with four teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kansas City Goats</span> Arena football team

The Kansas City Goats are a professional indoor football team based in Kansas City, Missouri in the United States. They are currently members of The Arena League (TAL). They play their home games at Municipal Auditorium.

The 2024 Arena League season was the inaugural season of The Arena League (TAL). The regular season began on June 1, 2024 and ended on July 27, 2024.

Antonio Mauricio O'Neil is an American football coach. He is currently an assistant coach at Denfeld High School and the inaugural head coach of the Duluth Harbor Monsters in The Arena League (TAL), which began in 2024. O'Neil is also a former arena football player.

Koi Perich is an American football safety for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

References

  1. ↑ Malcomb, Jamey (6 April 2023). "NFL Hall of Famer Tim Brown announces Duluth to receive Arena League team". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  2. ↑ Lawler, Christa (5 April 2023). "Duluth to get 'in your face' arena football team in 2024". Star Trubune. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  3. ↑ Monroe, Shalon (6 April 2023). "The city of Duluth is now the new professional football home of the Duluth Arena League". WDIO. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  4. ↑ Vierzba, Neil (5 April 2023). "The Arena League Awards Duluth with New Indoor Football Team". FOX21. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  5. ↑ McConico, Matt (21 July 2023). "Owner of new Duluth arena football team to be announced". Northern News Now. KBJR. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  6. 1 2 Raatsi, Hayley. "EXCLUSIVE: The Arena League announces Duluth team owner". Northern News Now. KBJR. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  7. ↑ "The Arena League Unveils Duluth Harbor Monsters as Team Name". FOX 21. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  8. ↑ Pierce, Spencer. "Duluth Harbor Monsters sign first player in franchise history". No. 18 December 2023. WDIO. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  9. ↑ Vierzba, Neil (15 May 2024). "Harbor Monsters Add Duluth Native Terrance Wenzel to Roster". FOX21. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  10. ↑ "Great Gainesville Getaway". The Perfect Game Foundation. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  11. ↑ Raatsi, Hayley (2 October 2023). "Duluth Harbor Monsters announce first General Manager". Northern News Now. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  12. ↑ Malcomb, Jamey (16 October 2023). "Arena football: Duluth Harbor Monsters 'ultimate dream' for first coach". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.