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
    
CheerleadersHarbor Monsters Cheer
Personnel
Owner(s)Brent LaBrie
General managerSteven Walters
Head coach Tony O'Neil
Team history
  • Duluth Harbor Monsters (2024–present)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (0)
Home arena(s)

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. Wenzel previously played for the Minnesota Myth of the Arena Football League.

Duluth Harbor Monsters roster
Players
  • 0Henry G. Pigeé -
  • 1Ja’Vonte Johnson QB
  • 2Moe Strong -
  • 3Emmanuel Prather -
  • 4Derek Daniels, Jr. RB/WR
  • 5Keon Singleton -
  • 6Jacob Husnik -
  • 7Lovell Spruce -
  • 8Rashawn Gant -
  • 9Jontiere Terry-Thomas -
  • 12Dejonte Skie -
  • 13Austin Gray -
  • 14 Terrance Wenzel -
  • 19Nathan Chromy WR
  • 21Willie McCalebb -
  • 24Trevor Kerr -
  • 26Nathan Raggs -
  • 44Travis Whitlock -
Reserve lists
  • 2Malik Davison -
  • 14Isaiah Essien -
  • 26Savion Johnson -
  • Rookies in italics
  • updated May 28, 2024
  • 18 Active, 3 Inactive

Season-by-season

2024

WeekDateGameTimePlaceLocationResult
P1May 25, 2024VS Up-1 Athletic Showcase [lower-alpha 1] 7pm DECC Arena Duluth, Minnesota W 86-34
1June 1, 2024AT Kansas City Goats 7pm Municipal Arena Kansas City, Missouri TBD
2bye week
3June 15, 2024AT Ozarks Lunkers 7pm Wilson Logistics Arena Springfield, Missouri TBD
4June 23, 2024VS Kansas City Goats5pmDECC ArenaDuluth, MinnesotaTBD
5June 29, 2024VS Iowa Woo 7pmDECC ArenaDuluth, MinnesotaTBD
6July 6, 2024AT Ozarks Lunkers7pmWilson Logistics ArenaSpringfield, MissouriTBD
7July 13, 2024VS Iowa Woo7pmDECC ArenaDuluth, MinnesotaTBD
8July 20, 2024VS Ozarks Lunkers7pmDECC ArenaDuluth, MinnesotaTBD
9July 27, 2024AT Iowa Woo7pm The Hippodrome Waterloo, Iowa TBD
  1. ↑ Dallas Falcons did not show up.

Staff

Duluth Harbor Monsters staff
Front office
  • Owner – Brent LaBrie
  • General manager – Steve Walters
  • Assistant general manager-operations – Tyler Brue
  • Assistant general manager-sales – Conner Fonger
  • 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

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning coach – D'Andre Sherill

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. [9]

On October 2, 2023 Steven Walters was named as the team's general manager. [10]

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. [11]

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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. ↑ "Great Gainesville Getaway". The Perfect Game Foundation. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  10. ↑ Raatsi, Hayley (2 October 2023). "Duluth Harbor Monsters announce first General Manager". Northern News Now. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  11. ↑ Malcomb, Jamey (16 October 2023). "Arena football: Duluth Harbor Monsters 'ultimate dream' for first coach". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
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