Port Huron Patriots
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| Founded | 2011 |
|---|---|
| Folded | 2014 |
| League | CIFL |
| Division | North |
| Based in | Port Huron, Michigan |
| Arena | McMorran Arena |
| Colors | Red, White, Navy Blue |
| Owner(s) | Jude Carter Lonnie Nichols Lance Nichols David Nichols Larry Page Matt Wuchte Nick Kennedy-Saura |
| Head coach | Vacant |
| General manager | Jude Carter |
| Championships | 0 |
| Broadcasters | Donald Mathews Ray Clark |
| Local media | Michigan Region Sports Network |
| Website | porthuronpatriots.com |
The Port Huron Patriots were a professional indoor football team based in Port Huron, Michigan. The team was a member of the North Division of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL). The Patriots joined the CIFL in 2012 as an expansion team. The Patriots were the third indoor football team to be based in Port Huron, the first being CIFL charter members and inaugural champions the Port Huron Pirates (2006–2007), and the other being the CIFL based Port Huron Predators. The Owners of the Patriots were Jude Carter, Lonnie Nichols, Lance Nichols, David Nichols, Larry Page, Matt Wuchte and Nick Kennedy-Saura. The Patriots played their home games at the McMorran Arena.
After the disappointing end to the Port Huron Predators season in 2011, Dave and Cyndi Kinsman wanted to bring back a team to Port Huron in 2012 and the future. Kinsman stated, "We are aware of the history of teams in this city and the bottom line is that you have to win on and off the field to make this succeed. Other teams could win on the field, but couldn't win off the field meaning they didn't have the front office and leadership it takes to succeed. We are confident in the direction this franchise will head and we are thrilled to be in Port Huron." The team also announced that they would be playing at McMorran Arena during Kinsman's press conference. In early September 2011, the Patriots signed former Predators head coach John Forti, as well as re-signed local players who had played for the Predators. On December 24, 2011 the team announced its training camp roster.
On February 11, 2012, the team played its first preseason game. They defeated the outdoor semi-professional Southern Michigan Timberwolves 35-21. This first unofficial win came in the wake of the tragic loss of Offensive Lineman Ken Hamilton, who was killed in a shooting outside of a Detroit nightclub. Teammate Antonio Martin was also injured in the shooting. On March 10, 2012, the Patriots earned their first victory in franchise history with a 52-49 victory over the Chicago Vipers.
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