Climax 69ers
Coach: Paul Zych
Seasons in League: 1995-Present
Career Records: 40-39, (5-6 in playoffs)
Summary:
A team that has consistently made the playoffs, but has not made a lot of noise in them as the Grand Rapids Greased Lightning have long been a thorn in their side. Paul indirectly helped start the league, but turned down an invitation to be a member of the "original six." He did join in the second season as the Arizona Diamondbacks (he points out that he thought of that name before the baseball team with the same moniker). After leaving in 1998, he returned in 1999 with a vengance, making his lone Patzer Bowl appearance, and has been present ever since.
Year-by-year:
1996:
Paul took over Jesse Buist's team from the previous season and had a remarkably similar slow start and turnaround finish. Paul's squad started 1-8, only to finish 4-9 and sneak into the playoffs. A first round playoff exit ended a quiet season.
1997:
Did Not Participate.
1998:
The Arizona Diamondbacks returned in 1998 as an expansion team and dominated the regular season with an 11-3 record, behind the play of a team loaded with Denver Broncos. He did this despite not being a regular participant. After scoring a record 160 points (the scoring system was changed prior to the '98 season) in a semi-finals victory, he could only muster 75 in a 89-75 loss to Nick's Greased Lightning in Patzer Bowl IV.
1999:
Paul did not fare too well in the 1999 redraft. After a misunderstanding with the scoring system, Paul selected defenses (Cleveland and Atlanta) in the opening two rounds. The newly named Climax 69ers learned the hard way that defenses did not dominate scoring, and the team struggled to a 5-8 finish. It was good enough to make the playoffs, and after a first round victory, was ousted in the semis by the Greased Lightning.
2000:
Paul improved by one game in the regular season, going 6-7, which was good enough for a return to the playoffs. After obliterating Dave's Alaskan Assassins 121-53 in the wild card round, he ran into the Greased Lightning buzzsaw, losing 113-86.
2001:
The one-game improvement trend continued for Paul as he moved above .500 at 7-6 but finished third in the division. He advanced again to the semis, defeating the Seattle Strikers 115-85. But once again, G.R. proved to be the roadblock to the Patzer Bowl, handing the 69ers a 121-106 loss.
2002:
Yet another average regular season, but a breakthrough post-season as Paul finally defeated long time playoff nemesis Grand Rapids in the Divisional Finals. The story would turn for the worse in the Patzer Bowl as Paul was again denied the ultimate prize, this time by Travis' Yukon Icebreakers.
Regular Season Records
1996: 4-9 (3rd place in West Div.; #8 seed)
1997: DNP
1998: 11-3 (Won Regular Season Title; #1 seed)
1999: 5-8 (3rd Place in Div.; Wild Card)
2000: 6-7 (2nd Place in Div.; Wild Card)
2001: 7-6 (3rd Place in Div.; Wild Card)
2002: 7-6 (3rd Place in Div,; Wild Card)
Playoff Records
1996: 0-1 (Lost to Grand Rapids in first round)
1997: DNP
1998: 1-1 (Lost to Grand Rapids Patzer Bowl)
1999: DNQ
2000: 1-1 (Lost to Grand Rapids in Semi-Finals)
2001: 0-1 (Lost to Grand Rapids Semi-Finals)
2002: 2-1 (Lost to Yukon Icebreakers in Patzer Bowl)