Courtesy: Bob DeLorenzo/AFL/GettyImages.com Soul FB Wes Ours
NEW YORK -- All 16 Arena Football League
teams are staying busy this offseason by re-signing players, hosting
open tryouts, participating in various community activities and much more.
Following is a team-by-team rundown of the latest happenings
around the AFL:
Arizona: The Rattlers named former head
coach DANNY WHITE offensive coordinator. Arizona also re-signed
offensive line coach KANI KAUAH and promoted BRYCE SAIA to
special teams coordinator/defensive line coach...WR SIAHA BURLEY is
coaching the wide receivers at Mesa Community College in Mesa, AZ...FB/LB
CHRIS ROBINSON is serving as the strength and conditioning coach for the
lacrosse team at Briarcliff College in Patchogue, NY.
Chicago: The Rush is hosting its first ever combination Instructional Camp and
Open Tryout on Friday, November 7 at the Grand Sports Arena in Hoffman Estates,
IL...Rush players and coaches will attend and speak at more than 15 youth
football banquets throughout the month of November...Players and coaches will
visit Wood Dale Junior High School as part of the “Rush to Read” program...The
Rush coaching staff will assist a local Salvation Army in their Thanksgiving
Food Box distribution on Friday, November 21.
Cleveland: The Cleveland Gladiators will host
Junior Goddesses Dance Team tryouts for girls ages 8-18 on Saturday, November 8
and Sunday, November 9 at MemorialJunior High School in South Euclid, OH.
Colorado: Crush DL AARON MCCONNELL is
currently launching his own online sport and athletic Web community. The Web
site, www.myathleticguru.com, is
geared toward young athletes looking to play in college. The site allows high
school athletes to showcase their talents in the hopes of finding a scholarship
to play in college.
Columbus: The Destroyers named Chuck Massarolo as their new Communications
Manager...Columbus named CHRIS BODEN offensive coordinator, DOUG LYTLE
defensive coordinator and PAT DOWNEY as defensive/offensive line coach...WR
C.J. JOHNSON is serving as the varsity wide receivers coach and
freshman-team offensive coordinator at Hillsbouro High School in Nashville, TN...FB/LB
HAROLD WELLS is serving as defensive/offensive line coach and special teams
coach at Mount Veron Presbyterian High School in Mount Veron, GA...The Destoyer
Bombshells will make an appearance at a tailgate party at The Varsity Club
during Ohio State’s final home game on Saturday, November 22 to distribute Columbus
Destroyers t-shirts, sign autographs and greet Buckeye fans...QB JUSTIN ZWICK
will make an appearance at OhioHealth’s Eastside Health Center on Saturday,
November 8, to sign autographs, greet fans and take photos.
Dallas: More than 400 athletes
participated in the Desperados first open tryout on Saturday, November 1 at
Texas Stadium in Irving, TX.
Georgia: The Force will host an open tryout at the team’s practice facility in
Flowery Branch, GA on Saturday, November 22...Georgia will host Force cheerleader
auditions on Saturday, November 22, at 9 a.m. at The Arena at Gwinnett
Center...Re-signed DBTONY TILLER.
Grand Rapids: The Rampage held tryouts for the
2009 Rage Dance Team on Sunday, November 2 at the MVP Athletic Club in Rockford, MI....Re-signed
DL DONOVAN ARP and WR CARLTON BREWSTER.
Kansas City: The Brigade named SKIP FOSTER
offensive coordinator.
Los Angeles: More than 100 athletes attended
the Avengers open tryout on Saturday, November 1 at Oaks Stadium in San
Jacinto, CA. Los Angeles will hold its second tryout on Friday, November 7 at
the Avengers Training Facility in Culver
City, CA...OL/FB
coach MARK TUCKER is the offensive line coach at HamiltonHigh School in Chandler, AZ...QB/WR
coach CHAD SALISBURY is an assistant coach at ByronCenterHigh School in Byron
Center, MI.
New York: 176 participants attended the Dragons open tryout on Saturday,
November 1 at the Dragons Practice Facility in Uniondale, NY...On Sunday,
November 9 the Dragons will have an open audition for the 2009 dance team at
Corporate Fitness in Uniondale.
Orlando: On Saturday, November 8 the
Predators will hold an open tryout at the Predators Practice facility in Orlando.
Philadelphia: FB/LB WES OURS is an
assistant coach for the Keyser Mini Tornadoes in Keyser, WV.
The Mini Tornadoes consists of three teams: a first- and second-grade team, a
third- and fourth-grade team, and a fifth- and sixth-grade team...The Soulmates
will hold open tryouts at the Airport Hilton in Philadelphia
on Sunday, November 23.
San Jose: The SaberCats re-signed WR BURL
TOLER.
TampaBay: The Storm held a fan appreciation
night on Thursday, October 16. All 2008 season-ticket holders received
four complimentary tickets to the Tampa Bay Lightning game and had the
opportunity to meet head coach TIM MARCUM and several Storm players
prior to the game...K SETH MARLER is working as a sideline reporter for
the Tulane-ISP sports network.
Utah: K STEVE VIDETICH and several front office employees helped
build a 4,000 square football playground structure in Kearns, UT on Thursday,
October 9...WR AARON BOONE is working in the community with Red Ribbon
Weeks to promote healthy living through exercise and proper diet and avoiding
drugs. Red Ribbon Weeks participants speak at elementary and junior high
schools in the Salt Lake City
area.