National Lacrosse League (2000-2003)
Tombstone
Born: May 21, 1999 – NLL expansion franchise
Moved: June 9, 2003 (San Jose Stealth)
First Game: January 7, 2000 (L 12-11 @ Philadelphia Wings)
Last Game: April 12, 2003 (W 12-8 vs. Vancouver Ravens)
NLL Championships: None
Arena
Pepsi Arena (13,725)12000-01 National Lacrosse League Official Guide & Record Book
Opened: 1990
Branding
Team Colors: Navy, Gray, White & Aqua22000-01 National Lacrosse League Official Guide & Record Book
Ownership
Owners:
- 2000-2001: Herb Chorbajian
- 2001-2003: Herb Chorbajian & Walter Robb
Background
The Albany Attack were a pro box lacrosse team that competed in the National Lacrosse League between 2000 and 2003. The Attack made their home debut at Albany’s Pepsi Center on January 14, 2000 with a 21-19 victory over the Pittsburgh Crossefire in front of an announced crowd of 8,044. Crowds declined steadily from there, however, and Albany consistently placed at or near the bottom of NLL attendance rankings during the Attack’s four season run.
2002 Breakout Season
The team was usually mediocre, finishing .500 or below in three out of four seasons. But the exception was a big exception. In 2002, the Attack posted the best regular season record in the NLL at 14-2. After besting in the Rochester Knighthawks in the semi-final match, the Attack hosted the 2002 NLL Championship Game on April 13, 2002. A raucous crowd of 9,289 (see video below) turned out at the Pepsi Center to see the Attack lose a 13-12 thriller to the Toronto Rock.
Goaltender Rob Blasdell was named the league Goalie of the Year for 2002. Attack head coach Bob McMahon took home league coaching honors.
Move To San Jose
The excitement around the Attack’s 2002 breakthrough season failed to carry over to the team’s fourth campaign in 2003. The Attack reverted to an 8-8 team that missed the playoffs. Attendance remained bleak as Albany 2003 average of 3,689 per contest ranked 11th among the NLL’s 12 franchises.
In June 2003, club owner Herb Chorbajian sold the franchise to a group of California and Toronto investors who moved the team to San Jose, California where it became known as the San Jose Stealth. After several subsequent ownership changes and relocations, the franchise remains active in 2015 as the Vancouver Stealth.
Albany Attack Video
Highlights of the 2002 NLL Championship Game between the Attack and the Toronto Rock at the Pepsi Center. April 13, 2002.
Links
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One Response
Hi. I was an Albany Attack season ticket holder. I created the Albany Attack Wikipedia website.
You don’t quite have the colors right.
The “Aqua” is actually called “Columbia Blue” which is what it used to say in Attack media. My stuff is packed so I can’t give a definitive source, but I remember that Columbia Blue very well because I had never heard of that color before.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_blue