The Dayton Sharks were a professional indoor football team based in Dayton, Ohio. The team was a member of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL). The franchise started as an expansion team in the CIFL during the 2013 season. The Sharks were the fifth indoor football team to be based in Dayton, the first being the Dayton Skyhawks of the original Indoor Football League. The Skyhawks were followed by the Dayton Warbirds, who later became the Dayton Bulldogs, of the National Indoor Football League the third being the Cincinnati Marshals who played their 2007 season in Dayton and the fourth being the Dayton Silverbacks who played from 2006 to 2012. The Owner of the Sharks was CA Sports Entertainment LLC. The Sharks played their home games at Hara Arena in nearby Trotwood, Ohio.

Dayton Sharks
Established 2012
Folded 2014
Played in Hara Arena in Trotwood, Ohio
League/conference affiliations
Continental Indoor Football League (20132014)
  • South Division (2014)
Current uniform
Team colorsBlack, Blue, Silver
     
MascotShark
Personnel
Owner(s)CA Sports Entertainment LLC. Group
General managerLavar Glover
Head coachChris Taylor (2013)
Lavar Glover (2014)
Team history
  • Dayton Sharks (2013–2014)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (0)
Playoff appearances (1)
Home arena(s)

Franchise history

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2013 play begins

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In July 2012, the team announced CA Sports Entertainment LLC. was awarded an expansion franchise in Dayton, Ohio and that the team would be named the Dayton Sharks. The Sharks filled the void left after the Dayton Silverbacks folded at the conclusion of the 2012 season.[1] The team was led by Corwyn Thomas, who was the team's Managing General Partner, CEO and Chairman.[1] The team signed many local players, who have a track record for success, such at Tommy Jones and Robert Redd.[1] The Sharks had a great start to the season, going 8−0 before losing to the Erie Explosion and the Kentucky Xtreme in the final two weeks. With an 8–2 record, the Sharks had won the 2 seed for the CIFL playoffs, but due to a scheduling conflict with Hara Arena, the Sharks played their playoff game at the Saginaw Sting. The Sting would go on to upset the Sharks, scoring twice in the final minute to defeat their former quarterback Jones.

2014

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In June 2013, the Sharks agreed to terms with the CIFL to return for the 2014 season.[2]

Logos and uniforms

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When the Dayton Sharks were announced, the ownership stated the franchise would be red, black and silver, but after a month changed the colors to be blue, black and silver. The team also introduced a new logo at that time, a Shark with the text "Sharks" underneath it.

Notable players

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Final roster

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Dayton Sharks roster
Quarterbacks
  • 11 Evan Sawyer

Running backs

  •  5 Marcus Fails

Wide receivers

  •  8 Eugene Cooper
  • 18 Derrick Sheerer
  •  1 Jason Smith
  • 19 Craig Wallace Jr.
Offensive linemen
  • 56 Dimecus Brown
  • 91 Kory Chappell
  • 72 Josh Ellison

Defensive linemen

  •  3 James Cravens
  • 77 James Marks
  • 58 Kevin Moore

Linebackers

  • 19 Josh Copeland
Defensive backs
  •  9 Mychal Davis
  • 21 Donte Johnson
  • 10 Viterio Jones
  •  7 Demetrius McCray
  • 27 Kendric Reed
  • 37 Chris Respress

Kickers

  • 52 Zach VanZant
Injured reserve
  • currently vacant

Exempt list

  • rookies in italics
  • Roster updated May 3, 2014
  • 20 Active, 1 Inactive

Awards and honors

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The following is a list of all Dayton Sharks players who have won league Awards

Season Player Position Award
2013 Tommy Jones QB CIFL Offensive Player of the Year

All-League players

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The following Sharks players have been named to All-League Teams:

  • QB Tommy Jones (2)
  • RB Derrick Moss (1)
  • WR Robert Redd (1), Kenyez Mincy (1), Eugene Cooper (1), Derrick Shearer (1)
  • OL Andrew Phelan (1), Frank Straub (1), Josh Ellison (1)
  • DL James Spikes (1)
  • LB Santino Turnbow (1)
  • DB Mike Davis (1), Viterio Jones (1), Donte Johnson (1)

Notable coaches

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Head coaches

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Name Term Regular season Playoffs Awards
W L T Win% W L
Chris Taylor 2013 8 2 0 .800 0 1
Lavar Glover 2014 6 4 0 .600 0 0

Coaching staff

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Dayton Sharks staff
Front office
  • Managing general partner – Corwyn Thomas
  • Executive vice-president – Diana Thomas
  • General manager – Lavar Glover
  • Chief financial officer -
  • Legal counsel – Brad Weber
  • Director of media relations – Alan See

Head coach

Offensive coaches

 

Defensive coaches

  • Defensive coordinator/defensive line – Lavar Glover
  • Defensive assistant – Lucius Dorise

Season-by-season results

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League Champions Conference Champions Division Champions Wild Card Berth League Leader
Season Team League Conference Division Regular season Postseason results
Finish Wins Losses Ties
Dayton Sharks
2013 2013 CIFL 2nd 8 2 0 Lost CIFL Semifinals (Saginaw) 63-66
2014 2014 CIFL South 3rd 6 4 0
Totals 14 6 0 All-time regular season record (2013-2014)
0 1 - All-time postseason record (2013-2014)
14 7 0 All-time regular season and postseason record (2013-2014)

Media

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  • Broadcasters: Radio - Lee W. Mowen, Doug Brown, Brian Reiss
  • Local media: Radio - Gem City Sports Network

References

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  1. ^ a b c Marc Pendleton (February 14, 2013). "Jones hopes to jump-start Sharks". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  2. ^ 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.