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.
| Duluth Harbor Monsters | |
|---|---|
 Current season | |
| Established 2023 Play in Duluth, Minnesota | |
 | |
| League/conference affiliations | |
| |
Current uniform | |
| Team colors | Dark Blue, Light Blue, Gold, Grey |
| Mascot | Ripp (#24) |
| Cheerleaders | Harbor Monsters Cheer |
| Personnel | |
| Owner(s) | Brent LaBrie Troy Geary |
| General manager | Steven Walters |
| Head coach | Tony O'Neil |
| Team history | |
| |
| Championships | |
| League championships (1) | |
| Conference championships (0) | |
| Division championships (0) | |
| Home arena(s) | |
| Kramer Service Group Field at DECC Arena (2024–present) | |
History
editDuluth 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
editOn 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
editOn 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.[9] Wenzel previously played for the Minnesota Myth of the Arena Football League.
| Duluth Harbor Monsters roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Players
|
Reserve lists
| |||||
Season-by-season
edit| Season | GP | Record | PF | PA | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 5-3 | 390 | 354 | 2nd of 4 TAL | W 50-18 vs. Ozarks Lunkers W 46-44 vs. Iowa Woo ARENAMANIA 1 CHAMPIONS |
Staff
editFront office
|
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
Athletic trainer
| |||||
Management
editOn 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.[10]
On October 2, 2023 Steven Walters was named as the team's general manager.[11]
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.[12]
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ Lawler, Christa (5 April 2023). "Duluth to get 'in your face' arena football team in 2024". Star Trubune. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Vierzba, Neil (5 April 2023). "The Arena League Awards Duluth with New Indoor Football Team". FOX21. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
- ^ McConico, Matt (21 July 2023). "Owner of new Duluth arena football team to be announced". Northern News Now. KBJR. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
- ^ a b Raatsi, Hayley (27 July 2023). "EXCLUSIVE: The Arena League announces Duluth team owner". Northern News Now. KBJR. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ "The Arena League Unveils Duluth Harbor Monsters as Team Name". FOX 21. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ Pierce, Spencer. "Duluth Harbor Monsters sign first player in franchise history". No. 18 December 2023. WDIO. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
- ^ Vierzba, Neil (15 May 2024). "Harbor Monsters Add Duluth Native Terrance Wenzel to Roster". FOX21. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Great Gainesville Getaway". The Perfect Game Foundation. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ Raatsi, Hayley (2 October 2023). "Duluth Harbor Monsters announce first General Manager". Northern News Now. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
- ^ Malcomb, Jamey (16 October 2023). "Arena football: Duluth Harbor Monsters 'ultimate dream' for first coach". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved 19 October 2023.