Harrisburg Heat (1991–2003)

This article is about the defunct NPSL/MISL franchise. For the MASL franchise, see Harrisburg Heat (2012–).
Harrisburg Heat
Old logo (1991–1997)
Full nameHarrisburg Heat
Founded1991
Dissolved2003
GroundPennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Capacity7,317
OwnersDr. Rex Herbert
Rodney Rumberger
LeagueNPSL II & MISL II

The Harrisburg Heat were an American professional indoor soccer team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team was part of the National Professional Soccer League, which later became the Major Indoor Soccer League, and has been defunct since 2003.

History

The Harrisburg Heat were first formed during the 1991–92 season by Dr. Rex Herbert, following the folding of the Hershey Impact, another NPSL team for which Herbert was the team physician. Along with other investors, Herbert produced the fiscal and economic backdrop to support the team.

The Heat went through several seasons when they were among the most financially sound teams in the league. However, their only trip to the league finals was during the 1994–95 season, when the Heat took on the St. Louis Ambush, also now defunct. The Heat were swept in four games, losing 19–9, 18–8, 12–7 and 14–11.

The last few years of the team's existence saw declining attendance numbers, partly due to the State Farm Show Complex's construction project that restricted parking and also charged a fee for parking. Also, a portion of the team's ownership passed from Herbert to Rodney Rumberger, a Harrisburg-area businessman. Many of the team's popular players also had retired or signed with other teams. The team ceased operations following the 2002–03 season. Despite several attempts to put together a new ownership group, the Heat did not return the next season.[1]

On May 2, 2012, it was announced that an expansion team named after the Harrisburg Heat will join the Professional Arena Soccer League in the fall, owned by the league.[2][3] Longtime Heat broadcaster John Wilsbach took over as owner of the team from 2013 to 2016 and then sold it to Carl Delmont. The team is currently a member of the Major Arena Soccer League, a rebranding of the PASL.

The original Heat's home arena was in the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center.[4][5]

Year-by-year

Year League Reg. season Playoffs Attendance
1991–92 NPSL 2nd, American Lost Quarterfinals 3,114
1992–93 NPSL 4th, American Lost Semifinals 4,435
1993–94 NPSL 4th, American Lost 2nd Round 4,847
1994–95 NPSL 2nd, American Lost Finals 6,003
1995–96 NPSL 3rd, American Lost Division Semifinals 6,003
1996–97 NPSL 1st, American East Lost Conference Finals 7,518
1997–98 NPSL 2nd, American East Lost Conference Semifinals 5,905
1998–99 NPSL 2nd, American East Lost Conference Quarterfinals 5,600
1999–00 NPSL 3rd, American East Did not qualify 5,094
2000–01 NPSL 1st, American Lost Conference Semifinals 5,178
2001–02 MISL 6th, MISL Did not qualify 4,104
2002–03 MISL 4th, Eastern Did not qualify 3,519

Ownership

Staff

Head coaches

References

  1. ^ Bullock, Michael (November 16, 2012). "Memorable dates in Harrisburg Heat history". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  2. ^ Watt, Kristin (May 4, 2012). "Indoor Soccer Returning to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania". Yahoo! News. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  3. ^ Bristol, Jason (May 9, 2012). "Former Harrisburg Heat players, coaches excited about team's return". Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: WHP-TV. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  4. ^ Burgess, Don (January 4, 2013). "Thanks for the memories, David! Bus fire, pranks and character building were all part of playing for the Heat". Bermuda Sun. Hamilton, Bermuda. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  5. ^ Bristol, Jason (May 1, 2012). "Heat indoor soccer team returning to Harrisburg". Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: WHP-TV. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2013.