 | |
| Founded | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Folded | 2009 |
| Team history |
|
| Based in | Van Andel Arena inGrand Rapids,Michigan |
| Home arena |
|
| Mascot | Blitz |
| League | Arena Football League (1998–2009)
|
| Colors | Red, black, silver, white |
| Personnel | |
| Head coach | Steve Thonn |
| Owner | Dan DeVos |
| Championships | |
| League titles (1) | |
| Division titles (1) |
|
| Playoff appearances (6) | |
| Uniform | |
 | |
TheGrand Rapids Rampage was anarena football team based inGrand Rapids, Michigan. The team began play in 1998 in theArena Football League as an expansion team. They were last coached bySteve Thonn. Their home arena was theVan Andel Arena.
In 1997,Dan DeVos was granted an expansion AFL franchise for the 1998 season, and was awarded the remains of the dormantMassachusetts Marauders franchise out of bankruptcy court. That team's first incarnation, the Detroit Drive, had been the league's first dynasty; the Drive had advanced to the ArenaBowl in all six years they played in Detroit, winning four times. They moved toWorcester, Massachusetts for the 1994 season before folding. Due to the four-year period of dormancy, the Rampage did not claim the Drive/Marauders' history as their own. Grand Rapids was the smallest market in which the AFL had a franchise at the times of its first/2009 disbanding.
The Rampage played in the Van Andel Arena, which is also the home of theAHL'sGrand Rapids Griffins. They competed in the Central Division of the American Conference.
The Grand Rapids Rampage started play in 1998 under coachMichael Trigg. In 2001, with notable playersClint Dolezel, andTerrill Shaw, the Rampage went on to win their firstArenaBowl. This game was broadcast live on theABC Network.
The Rampage's official mascot was aRhinoceros namedBlitz.[1]
The Rampage had a rivalry with theNashville Kats, one which dates back to the original Kats. This rivalry solidified with the Rampage's defeat of Nashville in ArenaBowl XV.[2]
The Rampage also shared a rivalry with theChicago Rush, known as the Amtrak Classic, after theAmtrak railway system which connects the two cities. On July 6, 2008, the Amtrak Classic added an interesting chapter as the Rampage, losers of their last six meetings with Chicago, defeated their heavily favored opponents on the road. Grand Rapids entered the game as a 6 seed, and upended the #1 seeded Rush 58–41, in a game of controversial penalties and brawls.
On March 5, 2010, it was announced that the Rampage were officially out of business and had no plans to return.[3]
On February 14, 2024, a new website was created for the Rampage, announcing an anticipated return to spring football as part of the inaugural 2025 season in theNational Gridiron League (NGL).[4] On January 10, 2025, the decision was made to delay the Rampage's NGL debut until the league's second season in 2026.[5] No staff associated with the new Rampage franchise were announced.
The Rampage's logo was a redrhinoceros. Its end zone featured the team's secondary logo. However, it was changed to 'Arena Football' during the ArenaBowl in 2001.
| Grand Rapids Rampage Hall of Famers | ||||
| No. | Name | Year inducted | Position(s) | Years w/ Rampage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Clint Dolezel | 2012 | QB | 2001–2003 |
| 84 | Fred Gayles | 2002 | WR/DB | 1998 |
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The following Rampage players were named toAll-Arena Teams:
The following Rampage players were named to All-Ironman Teams:
The following Rampage players were named to All-Rookie Teams:
The Grand Rapids Rampage played in the Van Andel Arena, which is located in downtown Grand Rapids.
| Head coach | Tenure | Regular season record (W–L) | Postseason record (W–L) | Most recent coaching staff | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Trigg | 1998–2003 | 43–41[9] | 3–4[9] | AFL Coach of the year (2001).[9] ArenaBowl XV winning head coach.[9] Assistant coach:Will McClay (1998 -1999) became head coach of thePhiladelphia Soul (2004). | |
| Bob Cortese | 2004 | 1–10[10] | 0–0 | Let go during the season | |
| Rick Frazier | 2004 | 0–5[11] | 0–0 | Replaced Bob Cortese during the season. | |
| Sparky McEwen | 2005–2007 | 13–35[12] | 0–0 | Grand Rapids assistant coach (2001 - 2003). | |
| Steve Thonn | 2008 | 6–10 | 2–1 | DC / Director of Player Personnel: Ron Selesky Line coach: Darrin Kenney ST Coordinator andFB /LB coach: Paul Reinke Manager of Football Ops. / Assist. coach: Rod Miller |
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