Detroit Thunder

Detroit Thunder
Founded 2012
League CIFL (2013-2014)
Division North
Team history Detroit Thunder (2013-2014)
Based in Fraser, Michigan
Arena Fraser Hockeyland
Colors Purple, Green, White
              
Owner(s) Terrence and Lawrence Foster
Head coach Terrence Foster
Website detroitthunder.com

The Detroit Thunder was a professional indoor football team based in Fraser, Michigan. The team was a member of the Continental Indoor Football League. The Thunder were the third indoor football team to have called the Motor City home, following two Arena Football League teams: the four-time ArenaBowl champion Detroit Drive (1988 Arena Football League season-1993) and the Detroit Fury (2001 Arena Football League season-2004 Arena Football League season). In addition, a team called the Motor City Reapers was proposed for the 2007 CIFL season, but the team folded before ever playing a single game. The Thunder were owned by Terrence and Lawrence Foster.

Franchise history

2013

On November 1, 2012, the Thunder was officially announced as the CIFL's eleventh team for the 2013 season, but with the Cincinnati Commandos folding, the league was left with ten teams. The team is owned by David and Cynthia Kinsman, who also own the Port Huron Patriots in the same league.[1][2] In addition, the Michigan Cup was announces as the trophy the Thunder, Patriots, and Saginaw Sting would compete for during the 2013 season.[1] On November 9, 2012, David Kinsman announced that the Thunder would be playing their home games at the Taylor Sportsplex in Taylor, Michigan for the 2013 season, with the hopes to move to a larger venue in 2014.[3] In the Thunder's first ever game, the team lost 28–41 to the Patriots.[4] Kinsman moved the Thunder home games to McMorran Arena in Port Huron, Michigan for the remainder of the season. On February 21, just two weeks into the season, Kinsman sold both the Patriots and the Thunder.[5] The Thunder were backed by the CIFL until a new owner was found.[5] Less than a week after the CIFL took over the operations, the Thunder were sold to coaches Terrence and Lawrence Foster.[6] Foster's move as head coach was moving the team back to the Taylor Sportsplex.[6]

2014

In June 2013, the Thunder agreed to terms with the CIFL to return for the 2014 season.[7] The Thunder opened up the 2014 season at the Patriots, who during the offseason signed former Thunder quarterback Mike Akwari. Akwari helped the Patriots defeat his old team by a score of 34-12.[8]

Turf problems at Fraser Hockeyland, the arena the team originally intended to use in 2014, disrupted the season. After moving their first home game to the Perani Arena and Event Center, the team attempted to return to Fraser Hockeyland for the remainder of its home schedule. The Erie Explosion, the first team that would have played the Thunder at Fraser Hockeyland, arrived at the arena only to find that the turf was unfit for play, forcing the Thunder to forfeit; the team ceased operations for the season after that incident.

Logos and uniforms

Notable players

Final roster

Detroit Thunder roster
Quarterbacks
  •  4 James King

Running Backs

  • 25 David Hill
  •  6 Garrett Hoskins

Wide Receivers

  •  3 Reggie Eubanks
  •  1 Daryl Frager
  •  9 Nathan Frike
  • 11 Tryone Gordon
Offensive Linemen
  • 66 Dion Howze

Defensive Linemen

  • 55 Michael Booker
  • 56 Stephen Chester
  • 41 Arnold Staton
  • 58 Eric Summers
Linebackers
  • 40 Josh Denault

Defensive Backs

  •  8 Shaun Gaddis
  •  2 James Harris

Kickers

  • 22 Musa Odeh

Unknown

  • 51 Keith Barbee
  • 19 David Smith
Injured Reserve
  • Currently vacant

Exempt List

  • Currently vacant

Practice Squad

  • Currently vacant

Rookies in italics
Roster updated February 20, 2014
19 Active, 0 Inactive, 0 PS

→ More rosters

Awards and honors

The following is a list of all Detroit Thunder players who have won league Awards

Season Player Position Award
2013 Andre Thomas Defensive Lineman 1st Team All-CIFL
2013 Reggie Eubanks Wide Receiver 2nd Team All-CIFL
2013 Richard Gedelian Offensive Line 2nd Team All-CIFL
2013 Doug Emery Linebacker 2nd Team All-CIFL

Coaches of note

Head coaches

Note: Statistics are correct through Week 13 of the 2014 Continental Indoor Football League season.

Name Term Regular Season Playoffs Awards
W L T Win% W L
Terrence Foster 2013 4 14 0 .222 0 0

Coaching staff

Detroit Thunder staff
Front Office
  • Co-Owner/Marketing and Sales - Terrence Foster
  • Co-Owner - Lawrence Foster
  • General Manager - Mike Piasecki
  

Head Coach

  • Head Coach - Terry Foster

Offensive Coaches

  • Co-Offensive Coordinator – Lawrence Foster
  • Co-Offensive Coordinator – Rob Hunt
  • Offensive Line – Danny Foster

Defensive Coaches

  • Defensive Coordinator – Terrence Foster
  • Defensive Line – Danny Foster

Statistics and records

Season-by-season results

Note: The Finish, Wins, Losses, and Ties columns list regular season results and exclude any postseason play.

League Champions Conference Champions Division Champions Wild Card Berth League Leader
Season Team League Conference Division Regular season Postseason Results
Finish Wins Losses Ties
2013 2013 CIFL 5th 4 6 0
2014 2014 CIFL North 5th 0 8 0
Totals 4 14 0 All-time regular season record (2013-2014)
0 0 - All-time postseason record (2013-2014)
4 14 0 All-time regular season and postseason record (2013-2014)

References

  1. 1 2 "Detroit Thunder Rolls Into CIFL". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. November 1, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  2. ↑ Joseph Hayes (November 13, 2012). "Joseph Hayes: Kinsmans add second CIFL franchise". The Time Herald. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  3. ↑ Eric Lacy (November 9, 2012). "New Detroit Thunder owner promises exciting Continental Indoor Football League play for region". www.mlive.com. Michigan Live. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
  4. ↑ Joseph Hayes (February 9, 2013). "Patriots drop Thunder, 41–28". The Times Herald. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  5. 1 2 Joseph Hayes (February 22, 2013). "Dave Kinsman sell Port Huron Patriots locally". The Time Herald. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Under New Ownership, Thunder Head Back To Detroit". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. February 26, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  7. ↑ Cory Butzin (June 10, 2013). "Continental Indoor Football League agree to terms with five teams for next season". www.mlive.com. MLive Media Group. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  8. ↑ Joseph Hayes (February 8, 2014). "Patriots storm back to defeat Thunder, 34-12". www.thetimesherald.com. Gannett. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
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