Cincinnati Swarm
Encyclopedia
The Cincinnati Swarm was an expansion af2
franchise, that joined the league in 2003, along with the Green Bay Blizzard
. Cincinnati played for the National Conference, in the Midwest Division. In 2003, the Swarm went 7–9, second in the Midwest Division. The Swarm's first touchdown was scored by fullback Andy Aracri. Aracri, who graduated from Miami University
(Ohio) also had brief stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Los Angeles Avengers of the AFL and the BC Lions of the CFL. Showcasing more local talent might have been able to save the franchise by winning over their fan base. Despite their modest record, and finishing second in their division, they failed to make the playoffs. Cincinnati's attempt at arena football
failed, and the Swarm folded after one year. Ten years earlier, Cincinnati was home to the Cincinnati Rockers
from 1992 to 1993, and like the Swarm, they folded shortly after their inception. Despite the Swarm's failure, the city of Cincinnati would get another af2 franchise in the form of the now defunct Cincinnati Jungle Kats
, who suffered the same fate at the Swarm. The city currently has no af2 team.
Af2
AF2 was the name of the Arena Football League's developmental league; it was founded in 1999 and played its first season in 2000. Like parent AFL, the AF2 played using the same arena football rules and style of play. League seasons ran from April through July with the postseason and ArenaCup...
franchise, that joined the league in 2003, along with the Green Bay Blizzard
Green Bay Blizzard
The Green Bay Blizzard is a professional indoor football team, which was founded in 2003. The Blizzard began play in the Indoor Football League in 2010, after having played the previous seven seasons in af2, in the now defunct the minor league of the Arena Football League. The Blizzard play in...
. Cincinnati played for the National Conference, in the Midwest Division. In 2003, the Swarm went 7–9, second in the Midwest Division. The Swarm's first touchdown was scored by fullback Andy Aracri. Aracri, who graduated from Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
(Ohio) also had brief stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Los Angeles Avengers of the AFL and the BC Lions of the CFL. Showcasing more local talent might have been able to save the franchise by winning over their fan base. Despite their modest record, and finishing second in their division, they failed to make the playoffs. Cincinnati's attempt at arena football
Arena football
Arena football is a variety of gridiron football played by the Arena Football League . It is a proprietary game, the rights to which are owned by Gridiron Enterprises, and is played indoors on a smaller field than American or Canadian outdoor football, resulting in a faster and higher-scoring game....
failed, and the Swarm folded after one year. Ten years earlier, Cincinnati was home to the Cincinnati Rockers
Cincinnati Rockers
The Cincinnati Rockers were an Arena Football League team that competed in the 1992 and 1993 seasons.-History:They played their home games at Riverfront Coliseum. The team color scheme incorporated bright yellow and green...
from 1992 to 1993, and like the Swarm, they folded shortly after their inception. Despite the Swarm's failure, the city of Cincinnati would get another af2 franchise in the form of the now defunct Cincinnati Jungle Kats
Cincinnati Jungle Kats
The Cincinnati Jungle Kats were an af2 team that played its home games at the U.S. Bank Arena. Their only year in existence was 2007. The team is not to be confused with the The Marshals , the NIFL club that was the arena's former tenant, who changed their name to "The Marshals" and moved to Hara...
, who suffered the same fate at the Swarm. The city currently has no af2 team.
Season-by-Season
| ArenaCup Champions ArenaCup The ArenaCup is the af2's championship game. For the league's first five years, it was held at the arena of the higher seeded team. However, the 2005 ArenaCup was the first to be played at a neutral site in Bossier City, Louisiana. The 2006 ArenaCup was played in Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San... |
ArenaCup Appearances | Division Champions | Playoff Berth |
| Season | League | Conference | Division | Regular season | Postseason Results | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | Wins | Losses | |||||
| Cincinnati Swarm | |||||||
| 2003 | AF2 | National | Midwestern | 2nd | 7 | 9 | |
2003 Roster
- Chris Knipper OL/DL – Attended Beckman High School in Dyersville, Iowa and later played college football at the University of Iowa. Red-shirted for the 1994 season at Iowa, Knipper went on to play for the Hawkeyes in 1995 through 1998. After college Knipper was on the San Diego Chargers practice squad for two seasons 1999 through 2000.
- Chris Archie WR/LB – Attended Renaissance High School in Detroit and later played college football at the University of Cincinnati and later at Eastern Michigan University. Archie returned to Cincinnati and spent the 2002 preseason with the Cincinnati Bengals before joining the Cincinnati Swarm.
- John Adleta OL/DL – Attended Loveland High School and later North Carolina State University. Adleta spent time on the practice teams of the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons in the early 1990s and later played with the AFL St. Louis Stampede in 1995.
- Ryan Russell WR/DB – Attended San Bernardino (California) High School and later West Liberty College. Russell was a rookie with the Cincinnati Swarm in 2003.
- Kurt Murphy OL/DL – Attended De Sales High School in Columbus, Ohio and later Ohio State University. Since leaving college Murphy has spent time in camp with the Arizona Cardinals in 2000 and played a season in the CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2001.
- Aaron Smith FB/LB, OL/DL - Attended the University of Cincinnati from 1995 - 1998.
- Ramon Davenport WR/DB – A Cincinnati native who attend Muskingum College. Davenport played pro ball with the AF2's Roanoke Steam for two seasons 2001-02 before joining the Cincinnati Swarm for the 2003 season.
- Victor Vrabel OL/DL - Attended Campbell Memorial High School in Campbell, Ohio and later played college football at Kent State University. Vrabel was a rookie with the Cincinnati Swarm in 2003.
- Miguel Merritt FB/LB - Attended high school in Hopkinsville, Kentucky and later played college football at San Francisco Junior College from 1996–1997 and at the University of Alabama from 1998-1999. After college Merritt spent time in training camp with the San Francisco 49ers in 2000. After playing a season in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2001 Merritt took his football career indoors and spent the 2002 season in the AF2 with the Louisville Fire before joining the Cincinnati Swarm for the 2003 season.
- Nick Rice FB/LB - Attended Newport High School in Newport, Kentucky and later played college football at Thomas More College. Rice was a rookie when he joined the Cincinnati Swarm for the 2003 season.
- Mathias Hauck OL/DL - Played college football at Dartmouth College.
- Derrick Shepard OL/DL - Attended Meadowdale High School in Dayton, Ohio and later played college football at Georgia Tech University. Shepard was a five year vet of pro football before joining up with the Cincinnati Swarm for the 2003 season. Shepard begin his pro career in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins in 1998. After a season with the Dolphins Shepard played a season with the New England Patriots in 1999 before going indoors and playing in the Arena Football League with the Arizona Rattlers in 2000. In 2001 he returned to the Arizona Rattlers but ended the 2001 AFL season in Detroit with the Fury. In 2002 Shepard played for the AF2's Tennessee Valley Vipers. After a season with the Cincinnati Swarm in 2003 Shepard joined the Af2's Louisville Fire were he played his last three years of his career 2004-2006. Shepard remained active in football and in 2008 he became offensive and defensive line coach with the Continental Indoor Football League's Miami Valley Silverbacks and has since been promoted to head coach for the 2009 season.
- Danny Smith QB – Attended Miami University in 1994 and later Southern Illinois University from 1995-1997. Smith played two seasons with the Indoor Football League's Dayton Skyhawks 1999-2000.
- Tony Briggs DS/DB – Attended Aiken High School and later played college football at Quarter Tech. He had two interceptions and three kick returns for touchdowns.
- James Scott WR/LB - Played college football at the University of Cincinnati. Scott later played pro football in the Indoor Football League with the Dayton Skyhawks in 1999 and with the AF2's Carolina Rhinos in 2000-2001.
- Mike Leeks WR/LB – Played college football at Graceland University. Leeks was a four-year veteran of indoor football when he joined the Cincinnati Swarm for the 2003 season. Leeks began his pro indoor football career in the Indoor Football League with the Lincoln Lighting in 1999 and remained with them through 2000. In 2001 Leeks joined the AFL's Indiana Firebirds for a full season. In 2002 Leeks returned to the Indiana Firebirds but also played that season with the AF2's Louisville Fire.
International players
- Matt Goreski OL/DL – Attended Ottawa University.
- Satoru Abe DS - Played in X League, Japan's version on the NFL
- Mutsumi Takahashi WR/DB - Played in X League.