Destroyers destroyed in Columbus

[Tannerman]

When we last left our favorite Arena Football team, the Chicago Rush, they were busy winning ArenaBowl XX and being all champion-like. Well, the 2007 season is upon us... and believe it or not, we were 3 weeks into the season and I still hadn't been to a game. The Rush started the season on the road, I had to work a conference during the first home game, and the next game was actually sold out before I could get tickets.

Amy & Steve outside Nationwide Arena

So what did Amy and I do? We drove to Columbus, OH, for an away game!

Kim & Amy at the game

We actually wanted to visit with our friends, Nick and Kim Bobb, who live outside of Columbus. When we figured out that the Rush were playing the Columbus Destroyers, we hit the road! It's about a 6 hour drive from Chicago to Columbus. On the way there, it took us closer to 8 with crazy traffic. Just 5.5 on the way back, however. We arrived at like 1:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, having endured Friday night traffic.

Steve & Nick grab a laugh

I've worked with Kim, who's a children's pastor, on previous Kidology conference events. Over the years we've all gotten to know each other quite a bit, so it was nice to be able to visit without having work stuff to worry about. The weather was nice on Saturday, so we just visited and cruised about town. Eventually, it was time to head to the game in the evening.

Original Buffalo Destroyers logo (1999-2003)


First Columbus Destroyers logo (2004)


Current Columbus Destroyers logo (2005-2007)

The Columbus Destroyers have only been in the city for 4 years. Prior to that, they were the Buffalo Destroyers and played in upstate New York from 1999-2003. When the team moved, and eventually got new ownership, they actually didn't have a logo for a few years. At first they Photoshopped the buffalo out of their logo, changed the text from "Buffalo" to "Columbus" and that was about it. They stuck that logo on their helmets and it looked pretty bad. It wasn't until the last year or so that they got a Columbus-specific logo.

Historical progression of Destroyers helmets

The Destroyers are now operated by the same guy who owns the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets, which play in the same building, Nationwide Arena. It's interesting to see the culture around the Destroyers. Columbus is a college town. It's all Ohio State or nothing. Yet their two professional teams get some pretty nice fan support. I guess when you don't have other sports to compete with, you can get away with running a hockey team in a league that is dying and an indoor football team that hasn't exactly done well from a win/loss perspective.

View from the parking lot

In fact, when the Destroyers first came to Columbus, they were marketed heavily for their Ohio State ties. Some of the minority owners have college ties, and initially the head coach and front office staff were Buckeyes. The idea had merit. Ohio State sells, so let's ride those coattails to drive attendance. However, they overlooked one thing. You kinda need to understand the game of Arena Football in order to actually do well. I think the team is finally learning that, 4 years later.

Quite spacious inside!

In any case, Nationwide Arena is a beautiful facility... and it was privately financed. Even better! It's comparable in size to our United Center in the Windy City. This puts a different dynamic on AFL games because large stadiums tend not to fill, thus the place looks empty. For example, the Rush play in a 2nd tier stadium just outside of Chicago called the Allstate Arena. It's smaller, and as such, fills out nicely, creating a loud atmosphere for games. The area around the arena has been developed into a retail/restaurant district and it looks like a fun place to hang out.

Lots of fans on all levels

Columbus has historically done a really nice job with attendance for AFL games, despite the fact that their teams tend to be losers. We went to their home opener and the size crowd did not disappoint. Sure, there were probably a lot of giveaway tickets and package deals, but it still was pretty impressive.

Hey, check out this exciting kickoff show!

What was not impressive was the game experience. Yes, the seats were filled with folks. Yes, there is good ownership and a nice building in place. But beyond that, it was like, "hey, we've got everyone's money already, so we really don't need to do anything more." For example, the pregame show consisted of cars driving out on the field... and some sparks coming from the scoreboard. It was pretty lame. Halftime features some cheerleader dancing and that's about it. Promotions between plays were few and far between. And the overall atmosphere was quite lacking with an announcer who pretty much put everyone to sleep.

It was the Destroyers' home opener

I'm not saying a Chicago Rush experience is the top of the AFL. Believe me, it is not. We don't have the resources that some other teams have (especially those with NFL owners). But in comparison, it looked like we had prime rib vs. the McDonald's hamburger of Columbus. There is a lot of potential there... they just need to take advantage of what they have going for them. They just don't know how good they have it in Columbus with ownership and facility.

Watch video via YouTube


Watch the Rush (wearing white) score a TD!


On the field

The game itself was pretty much a Chicago Rush walk in the park for 3 quarters. However, in the 4th quarter, the game got close and the local fans finally got into the experience. But in the end, the Rush prevailed, 55-47 in front of a reported 16,390 in attendance. This gave me much opportunity to annoy the Destroyers fans there. I mocked Ohio State choking against Florida in the national championship game. I pointed out that the Rush were defending ArenaBowl champions. We got a lot of boos from them. That's what I just love about road trips!

Nice scoreboard

With the win, our good luck streak for away games continues. So far, every time Amy and I have traveled to see the Rush play on the road, they have won. It has happened in Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Nashville, Detroit, Grand Rapids again, and now Columbus. (Of course, Indy and Detroit both folded shortly after our visits, so maybe we bring bad luck!)

Overall, it was fun to visit with friends... and see the Rush win on the road!

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2007
@CMB - LA - PHI - COL - NSH - KC - LA

2006
NY - NSH - SJ - DAL - GR - LV - UTA
ArenaBowl XX - Celebration

2005
DAL - ORL - @GR - COL - LV - GR - @NSH

2004
GR - COL - @IND - ORL - DET - TB
LA - @DET - @GR - DAL - IND - ORL

2003
ORL

[FernLaplante]

My cousins live in Columbus (Gahanna more specifically). It's a cool city. I have never seen the stadium though. It looks nice.