Santa Cruz Surf

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Santa Cruz Surf
Founded1994;32 years ago (1994)
Dissolved1994
Stadium Carl Connelly Stadium
Aptos, California
League United States Interregional Soccer League

The Santa Cruz Surf was an American soccer team based in Santa Cruz, California that played in the USISL. They played their home games at Carl Connelly Stadium on the campus of Cabrillo College.

Contents

History

The Santa Cruz Surf was announced in January 1993 as members of the USISL Pacific Coast Division, with Kevin Milliken as the team owner. [1] The team's head coach, Mark Tomlin, resigned with two games left in its inaugural season, causing Milliken to step in as interim coach. [2]

Former Watsonville High and Cabrillo College coach Art Romswinckel-Guise was appointed head coach ahead of the 1994 USISL season, replacing Tomlin. [3] The team would split home games in their second season between Cabrillo College's Carl Connelly Stadium and Watsonville High School's Geiser Field, due to a scheduling conflict with the former institution early into the USISL season. [4] [5] Santa Cruz and Cabrillo College hosted the Russian National team ahead of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, forcing the Surf to play in Watsonville. [6] [7] On June 13, 1994, the Surf hosted the Russia national football team in an exhibition. [8] Jeremy Perez scored the lone goal for the home side in an 8–1 loss with an estimated 2,500 people in attendance, which was believed the be the largest soccer crowd in Santa Cruz County history at the time. [8]

In April 1995, Surf owner Milliken announced that the team would fold due to an inability come to an agreement with Cabrillo College to host the team for another season. [7] Santa Cruz would continue to have a USISL presence as the newly formed Monterey Bay Jaguars scheduled eight matches at Cabrillo College, in addition to matches at their other home of Alisal High School stadium in Salinas. [9] Miliken had sold his Monterey County USISL rights in 1994 to the ownership group that formed the Jaguars. [7]

Year-by-year record

YearDivisionLeagueReg. SeasonPlayoffsOpen Cup
1993 N/AUSISL6th, PacificDid not qualifyDid not enter
1994 3USISL9th, PacificDid not qualifyDid not qualify

References

  1. ↑ Raven, Mike (January 24, 1993). "Pro soccer coming to town". Santa Cruz Sentinel . p. 20. Retrieved May 6, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ "Coach leaves Surf, cites broken promises". Santa Cruz Sentinel . July 29, 1993. p. 12. Retrieved May 6, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ Staff (October 8, 1993). "Sports digest". Santa Cruz Sentinel. p. 14. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  4. ↑ Sentinel Wire Services (December 17, 1993). "Sports Digest". Santa Cruz Sentinel. p. 16. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  5. ↑ Sentinel staff (November 19, 1993). "Surf coach seeks feedback on team's choice of venue". Santa Cruz Sentinel. p. 18. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  6. ↑ "A Whole New World". Stanford Cardinal - Official Athletics Website. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 Sports staff (April 6, 1995). "Extra Points: RIP, Santa Cruz Surf". Santa Cruz Sentinel. p. 12. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  8. 1 2 Mendoza, Martha (June 14, 1994). "Soccer fans flock to World Cup exhibition game". Santa Cruz Sentinel . p. 15. Retrieved May 6, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ Sports staff (April 20, 1995). "Extra Points: Bo, Michael & Marcia". Santa Cruz Sentinel. p. 12. Retrieved January 10, 2026.


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