Kalamazoo Kangaroos
Encyclopedia
The Kalamazoo Kangaroos were an indoor soccer
club based in Kalamazoo, Michigan
that competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association.
The team was started in 1984 as one of the original members of the AISA. They played their games at Wings Stadium which seated 5,000 people and were coached in year one by Chris Bartels. The team was compose primarily of young, ex-college players with their first chance at professional play. Player assistant coach Mike Garrett
had played in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) and was named the head coach midway through year two with the team in last place. Garrett led the team to a turnaround as they won most of their remaining games and made the playoffs. Key players were goalkeeper Victor Petroni
(formerly of Kansas City in the MISL), leading goal scorer Neil Ridgway, Ted Powers and player coach Mike Garrett. At the conclusion of year two, the team went defunct and most of the players moved on.
The top players played on other teams in the league, which had now become the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) – Victor Petroni and Paul Kato to the Louisville Thunder
, Neil Ridgway and Ted Powers to the Toledo Pride
and Garrett also moved on in mid season to become the head coach of the Toledo Pride. He coached that team to a turnaround from last place to third and into the playoffs.
(1984–86) Victor Petroni
(1985–86) 33 Apps 0 Goals Rob Olson
(1985) Neil Ridgway (1984–86) 40 Apps 48 Goals Ted Powers (1985–86) 40 Apps 42 Goals Bernie Watt (1984–85)
Indoor soccer
Indoor soccer or arena soccer, or six-a-side football in the United Kingdom, is a game derived from association football adapted for play in an indoor arena such as a turf-covered hockey arena or skating rink. The most important difference in play is that the indoor field is surrounded by a wall...
club based in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Kalamazoo, Michigan
The area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to...
that competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association.
The team was started in 1984 as one of the original members of the AISA. They played their games at Wings Stadium which seated 5,000 people and were coached in year one by Chris Bartels. The team was compose primarily of young, ex-college players with their first chance at professional play. Player assistant coach Mike Garrett
Mike Garrett (soccer)
Mike Garrett is a retired American soccer player and current businessman.In 1979, Garrett graduated in from McLean High School. He then attended George Mason University where he played soccer for two and a half seasons...
had played in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) and was named the head coach midway through year two with the team in last place. Garrett led the team to a turnaround as they won most of their remaining games and made the playoffs. Key players were goalkeeper Victor Petroni
Victor Petroni
Victor Petroni is a retired Canadian soccer goalkeeper who played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League and American Indoor Soccer Association.-Player:...
(formerly of Kansas City in the MISL), leading goal scorer Neil Ridgway, Ted Powers and player coach Mike Garrett. At the conclusion of year two, the team went defunct and most of the players moved on.
The top players played on other teams in the league, which had now become the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) – Victor Petroni and Paul Kato to the Louisville Thunder
Louisville Thunder
Louisville Thunder was an indoor soccer club based in Louisville, Kentucky that competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association. In their debut season of 1984-1985, goalkeeper Rick Schweizer won the 'Goalkeeper of the Year' award, and made it on to the All-Star team.-Players: Paul DiBernardo ...
, Neil Ridgway and Ted Powers to the Toledo Pride
Toledo Pride
The Toledo Pride were an American indoor soccer team. They played only one season in the American Indoor Soccer Association.-Ownership: Edward Cochran Robert Ransom John Glase Frank DeJulius Joshua Gotlieb...
and Garrett also moved on in mid season to become the head coach of the Toledo Pride. He coached that team to a turnaround from last place to third and into the playoffs.
Players
Mike GarrettMike Garrett (soccer)
Mike Garrett is a retired American soccer player and current businessman.In 1979, Garrett graduated in from McLean High School. He then attended George Mason University where he played soccer for two and a half seasons...
(1984–86) Victor Petroni
Victor Petroni
Victor Petroni is a retired Canadian soccer goalkeeper who played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League and American Indoor Soccer Association.-Player:...
(1985–86) 33 Apps 0 Goals Rob Olson
Rob Olson
Rob Olson, also known as Robbie Olson and Rob Olsen, is a retired U.S. soccer player who is Director of Operations and Coaching for the Virginia-based Southwestern Youth Association Soccer .-Youth:...
(1985) Neil Ridgway (1984–86) 40 Apps 48 Goals Ted Powers (1985–86) 40 Apps 42 Goals Bernie Watt (1984–85)
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984/85 | N/A | AISA | 4th | Semifinals | N/A |
| 1985/86 | N/A | AISA | 3rd | Semifinals | N/A |