Tag: The Palace of Auburn Hills

Detroit Safari Soccer

Detroit Safari

There have been countless pro sports teams named for race cars and race car drivers over the years. But the short-lived Detroit Safari, who played indoor soccer at the Palace of Auburn Hills during the summer of 1997, stand alone as the only team named for a minivan…

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Illustration of Pato Margetic on the cover of a 1995 Detroit Rockers program from the National Professional Soccer League

Detroit Rockers

The Detroit Rockers were an indoor soccer team that earned a modest following in the Motor City during the 1990’s.  The Rockers won the championship of the National Professional Soccer League during their second season in the winter of 1991-92. Fan favorites included forward Andy Chapman, player-coach Pato Margetic, forward Drago Dumbovic, and long-time goalkeeper Bryan Finnerty.

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2001 Detroit Fury Media Guide from the Arena Football League

Detroit Fury

The Detroit Fury of the Arena Football League were a short-lived joint venture between Bill Davidson’s Palace Sports & Entertainment (owners of the NBA’s Detroit Pistons) and Detroit Lions owner William Clay Ford, Jr. An earlier Motor City entry in the league, the Detroit Drive (1988-1993), won four Arena Bowl championships and drew large crowds to the Joe Louis Arena downtown.  But the Fury were unable to replicate that success at the suburban Palace of Auburn Hills during four seasons from 2001 to 2004.

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2007 Detroit Shock program from the Women's National Basketball Association

Detroit Shock

Women’s National Basketball Association (1998-2009) Born: 1998 – WNBA expansion franchise Moved: October 20, 2009 (Tulsa Shock) First Game: June 13, 1998 (L 78-69 vs.

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Drago Dumbovic on the cover of the 1994 Detroit Neon Media Guide

Detroit Neon

The Detroit Neon indoor soccer team drew their name from a title sponsorship with the Chrysler Corporation, who introduced their Neon sub-compact car in 1994, the same year the soccer club debuted at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Neon remained one of the better draws in the Continental Indoor Soccer Leage during its existence, despite being absolutely dreadful.  The Neon twice had the worst record in the CISL and posted a 32-80 record over four seasons of play.

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