Tombstone
Born: 2002 – AF2 Expansion Franchise
Folded: October 2005
First Game: April 6, 2002 (L 49-43 vs. Bakersfield Blitz)
Last Game: July 30, 2005 (L 88-53 @ Central Valley Coyotes)
ArenaCup Championships: None
Arena
San Diego Sports Arena (12,000)
Opened: 1966
Marketing
Team Colors: Blue, Silver & White
Ownership
Owners:
- 2002-2003: Gil Saidy
- 2004: Gil Saidy & Jon Runyan
- 2005: Jon Runyan
Background
The San Diego Riptide were a minor league indoor football team that played four seasons in Arena Football 2 (AF2). The Riptide were part of a West Coast expansion of AF2 in the year 2002 that saw franchises added in Bakersfield, Fresno and Hawaii to create a Western Division in the sprawling, 34-team league.
The Riptide lasted four seasons at the Sports Arena, never managing to post a winning record. Their best campaign came in 2004, posting an 8-8 record under the direction of Run and Shoot offense innovator Mouse Davis. Davis did not return as head coach for the 2005 season and the team regressed to a franchise worst 5-11 mark that summer.
Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jon Runyan acquired a minority ownership stake in the Riptide in 2004. He then became the club’s primary owner for its final season in 2005. Runyan, who grew up and attended college in Michigan and lived in New Jersey while playing for the Eagles, had no apparent connection to the San Diego community.
The Riptide announced an indefinite suspension of operations in October 2005 after four seasons of play. The team never returned to the field and AF2 itself went out of business in 2009.
Downloads
2002 San Diego Riptide Media Guide
2002 San Diego Riptide Media Guide
2002 Riptide Postseason Media Guide (.PDF)
Links
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