Arena Football League (1993-1995)
Tombstone
Born: March 4, 1993 – The Sacramento Attack relocate to Miami, FL
Moved: 1996 (Florida Bobcats)
First Game: May 14, 1993 (L 34-32 vs. Charlotte Rage)
Last Game: July 28, 1995 (L 43-38 vs. St. Louis Stampede)
Arena Bowl Championships: None
Arena
Miami Arena (14,600)11995 Arena Football League Record & Fact Book
Opened: 1988
Demolished: 2008
Marketing
Team Colors: Orange, Black & White21995 Arena Football League Record & Fact Book
Radio:
- 1993 – 1995: WINZ (940 AM)
Ownership
Owner: Dave Lageschulte, et al.
Attendance
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Sources:
- 1999 Arena Football League Official Record & Fact Book (1993 figures – rebuilt from game summaries)
- 1995 Arena Football League Record & Fact Book (1994 figures)
- 1996 Texas Terror Media Guide (1995 figures)
Background
This short-lived Arena Football League franchise was named after the Hooters restaurant chain. Owner Dave Lageschulte was one the early franchisees of the Hooters wings-and-boobs empire and developed the chain’s many South Florida restaurants.
Ex-Dolphins & Hurricanes
Arena Football players of the early 1990’s earned about $500 per game with a small bonus for victories. Given the low pay, most of the league’s players were unknowns, even to hardcore NFL draft junkies. But by comparison with other Arena League teams, the Hooters signed up a good number of familiar names. Miami Dolphins cult hero Jim Jensen, a wide receiver and special teams warrior in his NFL days, came out of retirement to play quarterback for the Hooters. Former New England Patriots Pro Bowl running back Tony Collins played both ways as a Running Back/Linebacker in 1993. Ex-Dolphins All-Pro wide receiver Mark “Super” Duper joined the Hooters for their second season in 1994. The coaching staff also featured former Dolphins defensive standouts A.J. Duhe and Liffort Hobley.
The team also signed a few notable ex-Miami Hurricanes players, including wide receiver Leonard Conley and quarterback Bryan Fortay.
Demise
The Hooters lasted for three seasons at Miami Arena. In late 1995, Lageschulte sold the Hooters to South Florida real estate developer Bruce Frey. Frey moved the team to West Palm Beach and re-named it the Florida Bobcats (1996-2001).
Six years later, Lageschulte would return for a second try at Arena Football as owner of the Indiana Firebirds franchise (2001-2004).
Miami Hooters Shop
Miami Hooters Video
The Hooters host the Cleveland Thunderbolts at Miami Arena. July 24th, 1993.
In Memoriam
Miami Hooters owner David Lageschulte died on March 11, 2014 after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 62.
Offensive/Defensive Lineman Jon Roehlk (Hooters ’94) passed away on March 13, 2016 at age 54. Quad City Times obituary.
Links
“Half the Distance to the Bustline“, Todd Anthony, The Miami New Times, June 9, 1993
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2 Responses
Where there a lot of Miami Hooters from Iowa? And, I am curious which High School or College contributed the most guys to that era and program?