Harrisburg Heat (1991–2003)

This article is about the defunct NPSL/MISL franchise. For the MASL franchise, see Harrisburg Heat (2012–).

Harrisburg Heat

Old logo (1991–1997)
Full name	Harrisburg Heat
Founded	1991
Dissolved	2003
Ground	Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Capacity	7,317
Owners	Dr. Rex Herbert Rodney Rumberger
League	NPSL II & MISL II

The Harrisburg Heat were an American professional indoor soccer team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team was part of the National Professional Soccer League, which later became the Major Indoor Soccer League, and has been defunct since 2003.

History

The Harrisburg Heat were first formed during the 1991–92 season by Dr. Rex Herbert, following the folding of the Hershey Impact, another NPSL team for which Herbert was the team physician. Along with other investors, Herbert produced the fiscal and economic backdrop to support the team.

The Heat went through several seasons when they were among the most financially sound teams in the league. However, their only trip to the league finals was during the 1994–95 season, when the Heat took on the St. Louis Ambush, also now defunct. The Heat were swept in four games, losing 19–9, 18–8, 12–7 and 14–11.

The last few years of the team's existence saw declining attendance numbers, partly due to the State Farm Show Complex's construction project that restricted parking and also charged a fee for parking. Also, a portion of the team's ownership passed from Herbert to Rodney Rumberger, a Harrisburg-area businessman. Many of the team's popular players also had retired or signed with other teams. The team ceased operations following the 2002–03 season. Despite several attempts to put together a new ownership group, the Heat did not return the next season. ^[1]

On May 2, 2012, it was announced that an expansion team named after the Harrisburg Heat will join the Professional Arena Soccer League in the fall, owned by the league. ^{[2] [3]} Longtime Heat broadcaster John Wilsbach took over as owner of the team from 2013 to 2016 and then sold it to Carl Delmont. The team is currently a member of the Major Arena Soccer League, a rebranding of the PASL.

The original Heat's home arena was in the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center. ^{[4] [5]}

Year-by-year

Year	League	Reg. season	Playoffs	Attendance
1991–92	NPSL	2nd, American	Lost Quarterfinals	3,114
1992–93	NPSL	4th, American	Lost Semifinals	4,435
1993–94	NPSL	4th, American	Lost 2nd Round	4,847
1994–95	NPSL	2nd, American	Lost Finals	6,003
1995–96	NPSL	3rd, American	Lost Division Semifinals	6,003
1996–97	NPSL	1st, American East	Lost Conference Finals	7,518
1997–98	NPSL	2nd, American East	Lost Conference Semifinals	5,905
1998–99	NPSL	2nd, American East	Lost Conference Quarterfinals	5,600
1999–00	NPSL	3rd, American East	Did not qualify	5,094
2000–01	NPSL	1st, American	Lost Conference Semifinals	5,178
2001–02	MISL	6th, MISL	Did not qualify	4,104
2002–03	MISL	4th, Eastern	Did not qualify	3,519

Ownership

• Dr. Rex Herbert (1991–03)
• Rodney Rumberger (1995–03)
• Rob Bleecher

Staff

• Vice President – Jim Pollihan
• General Manager – Gregg Cook
• Public Relations Director – Gregory Bibb
• Equipment Manager – Mike Butala
• Director of Broadcasting – John Wilsbach

Head coaches

• 1991–99 Jim Pollihan
• 1999-02 Richard Chinapoo
• 2002–03 Erich Geyer

References

1. Bullock, Michael (November 16, 2012). "Memorable dates in Harrisburg Heat history". The Patriot-News . Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
2. Watt, Kristin (May 4, 2012). "Indoor Soccer Returning to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania". Yahoo! News . Retrieved May 6, 2012.
3. Bristol, Jason (May 9, 2012). "Former Harrisburg Heat players, coaches excited about team's return". Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: WHP-TV. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
4. Burgess, Don (January 4, 2013). "Thanks for the memories, David! Bus fire, pranks and character building were all part of playing for the Heat". Bermuda Sun . Hamilton, Bermuda. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
5. Bristol, Jason (May 1, 2012). "Heat indoor soccer team returning to Harrisburg". Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: WHP-TV. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2013.