Detroit Safari

Detroit Neon / Safari
Team history	1994–1997
Arena	The Palace of Auburn Hills 1994 - 1997
Based in	Auburn Hills, Michigan
Colors
Leagues	Continental Indoor Soccer League

The Detroit Safari (originally founded as the Detroit Neon) was a member of the Continental Indoor Soccer League that played at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Their owners, the Palace Sports Group were awarded a franchise on November 4, 1993. Their star player and unofficial coach (the CISL prohibited player-coaches) was experienced indoor player Andy Chapman. They led the league in attendance in their first season (1994) and never placed below fifth in league attendance for a season. The name Detroit Neon was a reference to the Dodge Neon and came from a sponsorship from the Chrysler Corporation like fellow Palace Sports team the IHL Detroit Vipers. In 1997 the naming rights were sold to General Motors and they were named after the GMC Safari minivan. They folded along with the closing of the Continental Indoor Soccer League after the 1997 season Some games were televised on PASS Sports and all 1997 Safari home games on PASS. The 5 seasons that Neon/Safari played they avg. attendance was 6,232.

Ownership

• Palace Sports & Entertainment Group

Staff

• Ron Campbell - General Manager (1994–97)
• Chris Keenan - Player Personnel Director (1994–97)

Head coaches

• Chris Keenan (1994)
• Dave Baker (1994)
• Paul Child (1995–97)

Former players

• Steve Kinsey (1994–95)
• Colin Jex (1994–97)
• Albert Marko (1996–97)
• Andy Chapman (1994–97)
• Ian Fairbrother (1994–97)
• Andy Wagstaff (1995–97)
• Ken Snow (1995–97)
• Scott Weiger (1996–97)
• Joey Kirk (1996–97)
• Victor Quni (1995)
• Drago (1994–96)

Indoor soccer in Detroit
Current: Detroit Waza
Defunct: Detroit Lightning (1979-1980) | Detroit Express (1979-1981)
Detroit Rockers (1990-2001) | Detroit Neon/Safari (1994-1997) | Detroit Ignition (2006-2009)