The Richmond Bandits were a professional indoor football team based in Richmond, Virginia. They were a charter member of the Atlantic Indoor Football League.[1] In 2005, the Bandits defeated the Erie Freeze to win the AIFL's first-ever American Bowl, completing the year with a combined record of 11-1.[2] On February 7, 2005, ownership announced that the team would be nicknamed the "Bandits", and that the would be coached by Rik Richards.[3] During that inaugural year, head coach Rik Richards, offensive coordinator Brent Williams, and line coach Steve Criswell led one of the league's most potent offenses and a defense that led the league in takeaways. Starting quarterback Will Burch led the team to a 4-1 record, including a 94-point outburst at Johnstown, before being replaced by Robbie Jenkins due to ineffectiveness in game 6. Damon "Redd" Thompson, Bryan Still, DeAndre Green, and Marcel Willis were the team's top receivers. Lawrence Lewis and Julian Graham anchored the defense. The Bandits played their home games in the Richmond Coliseum. Also affiliated with the team are the Bandivas, the dance team for the Bandits, and mascot Billy the Bandit.
| Richmond Bandits | |
|---|---|
| Established 2005 Folded 2006 Played in Richmond, Virginia at the Richmond Coliseum | |
 | |
| League/conference affiliations | |
Atlantic/American Indoor Football League (2005–2006)
| |
Current uniform | |
| Team colors | Blue, Red, White |
| Mascot | Billy the Bandit |
| Personnel | |
| Head coach | Brent Williams |
| Team history | |
| |
| Championships | |
| League championships (1) AIFL (2005) | |
| Conference championships (0) | |
| Division championships (0) | |
| Playoff appearances (2) | |
| AIFL: 2005, 2006 | |
| Home arena(s) | |
| |
Despite ending up 12-2 (second in the Southern Conference) in their second year, they were unable to agree on issues concerning the league and their rules, and were suspended by the AIFL from the playoffs.[4] Their team owner stated that the Bandits will no longer be part of the American Indoor Football League [1].
Because they were unable to join any other indoor league and there was potential to bring back the Richmond Speed, it is most likely that the Bandits have disbanded.
In their last year in the AIFL, WR Redd Thompson was named the 2006 Southern Conference Offensive MVP.[2]
Statistics and records edit
Season-by-season results edit
| League Champions | Conference Champions | Division Champions | Playoff Berth | League Leader |
| Season | League | Conference | Division | Regular season | Postseason results | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | Wins | Losses | Ties | |||||||
| 2005 | AIFL | 2nd | 9 | 1 | 0 | Won AIFL Semifinal (Johnstown) 50–40 Won American Bowl I (Erie) 56–30 | ||||
| 2006 | AIFL | Southern | 2nd | 12 | 2 | 0 | Forfeit Southern Conference Semifinal (Raleigh) | |||
| Totals | 21 | 3 | 0 | All-time regular season record (2005–2006) | ||||||
| 2 | 1 | — | All-time postseason record (2005–2006) | |||||||
| 23 | 4 | 0 | All-time regular season and postseason record (2005–2006) | |||||||
References edit
- ^ "Richmond, VA To Join AIFL As League's Fifth Franchise". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. January 20, 2005. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
- ^ "Bandits crowned inaugueral AIFL champions; Win 56-30 over Freeze". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. July 17, 2005. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
- ^ "Bandits Sighted in Richmond, Richards Becomes Head Coach". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. February 7, 2005. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
- ^ "Bandits Suspended From AIFL Playoffs". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. June 19, 2006. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
External links edit
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