Detroit Rockers
Encyclopedia
The Detroit Rockers were an indoor soccer team in the National Professional Soccer League from 1990 to 2001. They played in Joe Louis Arena
Joe Louis Arena
Joe Louis Arena, nicknamed The Joe and JLA is a hockey arena located at 600 Civic Center Drive in Detroit, Michigan. It is the home of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. Completed in 1979 at a cost of $57 million, Joe Louis Arena is named after boxer and former heavyweight...
and Cobo Arena in downtown Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
as well as The Palace of Auburn Hills
The Palace of Auburn Hills
The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
and Compuware Sports Arena in the suburbs. For a time, they were led by star player-coach Andy Chapman
Andy Chapman
Andrew "Andy" Chapman is a retired English-American soccer player who saw his greatest success as an indoor player in the United States...
until he was lured away by the more deep-pocketed Detroit Neon
Detroit Safari
The Detroit Safari was a member of the Continental Indoor Soccer League that played at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Their owners, the Palace Sports Group were awarded a franchise on November 4, 1993. Their star player and unofficial coach was experienced indoor player Andy Chapman...
in 1994. The big stars of the Rockers included "Drago" and goalie Bryan "Goose" Finnerty. The Rockers won the 1991-1992 NPSL Championship. The Rockers outlasted the home-town rival Neon only because the Neon folded with their league the CISL
Continental Indoor Soccer League
The Continental Indoor Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that played from 1993 to 1997.-History:When the Major Soccer League folded in the summer of 1992, two of its former teams joined a group of hockey and basketball arena owners led by Ron Weinstein who wanted to create a league to...
.The Rockers themselves finally folded in 2001 when the NPSL ceased operations. Until the Rockers folded, they were owned by businessmen from Walled Lake.
Year-by-year
| Year | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Owner(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990/91 | NPSL | 3rd, American | Semifinals | N/A |
| 1991/92 | NPSL | 3rd, American | Champions | N/A |
| 1992/93 | NPSL | 6th, American | Did not qualify | Michael & Marian llitch |
| 1993/94 | NPSL | 2nd, National | 2nd Round | Michael & Marian llitch |
| 1994/95 | NPSL | 4th, National | 1st Round | Michael & Marian llitch |
| 1995/96 | NPSL | 5th, National | Did not qualify | Michael & Marian llitch |
| 1996/97 | NPSL | 3rd, National North | Did not qualify | N/A |
| 1997/98 | NPSL | 4th, National North | Did not qualify | N/A |
| 1998/99 | NPSL | 3rd, National North | Did not qualify | N/A |
| 1999/00 | NPSL | 3rd, National North | Did not qualify | N/A |
| 2000/01 | NPSL | 5th, National | Did not qualify | N/A |
Ownership & Staff
David Woodrow - Co-Owner / General Manager Gary MillerGary Miller
Gary Gene Miller is the U.S. Representative for , and previously the 41st, serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education and career:...
- Co-Owner / General Manager
Coaches
- Brian TinnionBrian Tinnion (footballer)Brian Tinnion is a retired English Association football forward who played eleven seasons in the lower English divisions, four in the North American Soccer League, three in the American Soccer League and one in the Major Indoor Soccer League...
1990-1994 - Pato Margetic 1994-1999
- Drago 1999-2000
- Brian TinnionBrian Tinnion (footballer)Brian Tinnion is a retired English Association football forward who played eleven seasons in the lower English divisions, four in the North American Soccer League, three in the American Soccer League and one in the Major Indoor Soccer League...
2000-2001
Honors
MVP- Andy ChapmanAndy ChapmanAndrew "Andy" Chapman is a retired English-American soccer player who saw his greatest success as an indoor player in the United States...
: 1991
Leading scorer
- Andy ChapmanAndy ChapmanAndrew "Andy" Chapman is a retired English-American soccer player who saw his greatest success as an indoor player in the United States...
: 1991 - Dan O'KeefeDan O'Keefe (soccer)Dan O’Keefe is a retired American soccer forward who played over ten seasons in the U.S. indoor leagues. He led the American Indoor Soccer Association in scoring in 1989.-Youth:...
: 1992
Defender of the Year
- Sean BowersSean BowersSean Bowers is a retired U.S. soccer defender. He spent most of his career playing indoor soccer, earning the 1992 NPSL Rookie of the Year, four-time Defender of the Year and a six-time first team All Star in four different indoor leagues. He also played four seasons with the Kansas City Wizards...
: 1994 - Sean BowersSean BowersSean Bowers is a retired U.S. soccer defender. He spent most of his career playing indoor soccer, earning the 1992 NPSL Rookie of the Year, four-time Defender of the Year and a six-time first team All Star in four different indoor leagues. He also played four seasons with the Kansas City Wizards...
: 1995
Rookie of the Year
- Goose Finnerty: 1991
- Sean BowersSean BowersSean Bowers is a retired U.S. soccer defender. He spent most of his career playing indoor soccer, earning the 1992 NPSL Rookie of the Year, four-time Defender of the Year and a six-time first team All Star in four different indoor leagues. He also played four seasons with the Kansas City Wizards...
: 1992 - Jason Willen: 1996
- Travis RoyTravis Roy (soccer)Travis Roy is a retired American soccer player who played professionally in the USISL and National Professional Soccer League. He was the 1998 NPSL Rookie of the Year.-Youth:...
: 1998
Coach of the Year
- Brian TinnionBrian Tinnion (footballer)Brian Tinnion is a retired English Association football forward who played eleven seasons in the lower English divisions, four in the North American Soccer League, three in the American Soccer League and one in the Major Indoor Soccer League...
: 1991
First Team All Star
- 1991: Andy ChapmanAndy ChapmanAndrew "Andy" Chapman is a retired English-American soccer player who saw his greatest success as an indoor player in the United States...
- 1992: Dan O'KeefeDan O'Keefe (soccer)Dan O’Keefe is a retired American soccer forward who played over ten seasons in the U.S. indoor leagues. He led the American Indoor Soccer Association in scoring in 1989.-Youth:...
- 1993: Sean BowersSean BowersSean Bowers is a retired U.S. soccer defender. He spent most of his career playing indoor soccer, earning the 1992 NPSL Rookie of the Year, four-time Defender of the Year and a six-time first team All Star in four different indoor leagues. He also played four seasons with the Kansas City Wizards...
- 1994: Sean BowersSean BowersSean Bowers is a retired U.S. soccer defender. He spent most of his career playing indoor soccer, earning the 1992 NPSL Rookie of the Year, four-time Defender of the Year and a six-time first team All Star in four different indoor leagues. He also played four seasons with the Kansas City Wizards...
, Andy ChapmanAndy ChapmanAndrew "Andy" Chapman is a retired English-American soccer player who saw his greatest success as an indoor player in the United States... - 1995: Sean BowersSean BowersSean Bowers is a retired U.S. soccer defender. He spent most of his career playing indoor soccer, earning the 1992 NPSL Rookie of the Year, four-time Defender of the Year and a six-time first team All Star in four different indoor leagues. He also played four seasons with the Kansas City Wizards...
- 1997: Dennis Brose