Bakersfield Blitz
Bakersfield Blitz
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| Founded | 2002 |
|---|---|
| Folded | 2007 |
| League | AF2 |
| Conference | American |
| Division | West |
| Based in | Bakersfield, California |
| Arena | Rabobank Arena |
| Division titles | 2 (2002, 2004) |
| Playoff berths | 3 (2002, 2004, 2006) |
The Bakersfield Blitz were a professional arena football team based in Bakersfield, California. They were a 2002 expansion member of the af2 and played their home games at Rabobank Arena.
In 2001, the original Blitz was owned by Casey Wasserman, owner of the Arena Football League team the Los Angeles Avengers. He owned and managed the team for two seasons. During their Inaugural season the team captured a Western Division title and a playoff berth. The Head Coach for the team was announced on December 7, 2001. Head Coach James Fuller originally came out of Portland State into the NFL where he played for the 1992-1994 San Diego Chargers and the Philadelphia Eagles in 1996-97 as a defensive back. He was Head Coach of the Bakersfield Blitz during their 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons. He went on from his time with the Blitz to become the Head Coach for the Arena League team Philadelphia Soul owned by Jon Bon Jovi.
In 2004, the team was sold to an investment group that moved the team to Fresno to become the Central Valley Coyotes, while a new Bakersfield Blitz was formed. In 2005, the af2 owned the team, and was operated by the owner of the Bakersfield Condors.
In 2006, a combination of local Bakersfield and professional sports investors bought the franchise from the af2. However, the Blitz unexpectedly folded after the 2007 season. Although this followed a season in which two players faced rape charges, it is unclear what role, if any, this played in the Blitz's folding.
In December 2001, a new af2 franchise was established in Bakersfield. Owner Casey Wasserman (owner of the LA Avengers) hired Brad Hoffman as the first Bakersfield Blitz General Manager. Hoffman managed the team along with staff members Todd Anderson (Public Relations), Mike Krause (Administration), Joel Hupp (Production) and Margo Saylor-Ivester (Game Operations). The team's coaching staff was led by: Head Coach James Fuller, Fullback/Linebacker Coach Steven Folmar and Offensive/Defensive Assistant Rick Van Horne.
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