Tuesday, December 9

Tampa Bay Storm quarterback Brett Dietz and wide receiver Tyrone Timmons joined the Friends of Joshua House and professional wrestlers; Al Green, Santino Marella, Buck Wild and former South Florida Bull Dan “The Big Deal” Rodman, as they spread holiday cheer for the children of the Lutz, Florida Joshua House at a local Target Supercenter this past Saturday. 

The 20 women who will represent the Rush as members of the 2009 Adrenaline Rush Dancers were selected Saturday in front of a packed crowd at Chicago’s House of Blues.  In front of hundreds of Rush fans, family members and friends -- along with a panel of expert judges -- forty three finalists began the day competing for a spot on the squad.

Tim is entering his second season with the Rattlers after a monumental year that included the boldest guarantee in sports history, a promise to all fans that the team would make the playoffs or refund all season tickets. Tim played an integral part in the promotion and application of the guarantee and has since helped turn the Rattlers into the most affordable and easily accessible team in the Valley.

Monday, December 8

The Grand Rapids Rampage held tryouts this past Saturday.  The Chicago Rush and the Arizona Rattlers are scheduled to hold tryouts this Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13, respectively.  Participants can check out the results from the Force's tryout last month by going here.

The Cleveland Gladiators front office will participate in the Junior Achievement program this holiday season.  Junior Achievement builds partnerships between the business and education communities to provide the curriculum and volunteers who serve as role models to the students to help prepare them for their future.  Over 42,000 students actively participated in Junior Achievement programs during the 2007-2008 school year.

The Arizona Rattlers announced that the Sidewinders Audition Finals for the 2009 squad will be held at the Casino Arizona on the 101 and McKellips on Saturday, December 13^th. The finals will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Casino’s ShowStoppers Theater and will be open to the public.

Last week the Tampa Bay Storm and St. Pete Times Forum reached a new two-year sales and marketing agreement that will keep the Storm at the St. Pete Times Forum through at least the end of the 2010 Arena Football League season.  In addition, the Nucci Spine Institute has entered into a two-year sponsorship agreement with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the St. Pete Times Forum.

SanJoseSaberCats.com recently sat down with wide receiver James Roe where he discussed his off-season coaching duties, vacation  time in Orlando, his love bowling, being inducted into his high school’s Hall of Fame, as well as his outlook for the 2009 season:

“Finishing where we left off. Getting to the ArenaBowl and winning it. That is why you work hard during the off-season and the regular season. That is our ultimate goal and to get there and not finish it this time would be a disappointment.”

Last fall, Rush assistant coach Bob McMillen watched his son’s, youth football team travel to Kississimme, Fla., and win the American Youth Football national championship.  Now, one year later, the McMillen family is headed back to Florida to watch the Naperville Patriots try to repeat as national champions.

Thursday, December 4

Around the League: December 4

Utah Blaze DL Chris Janek left the Southern Powerlifting Federation Record Breakers competition in Chattanooga, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 29, with the title of “Best Lifter of Meet” by totaling 2,425 pounds in his three lifts.

  Janek, who competed in the 308-pound division, was the only one of the 73 competitors in the competition to squat 1,000 pounds. In his other lifts he again topped the field by posting 725 pounds In the bench press and 700 pounds in the dead-lift.

Just in time for the holidays, new Gladiators merchandise is now available at the Team Shop (located at 631 Huron Rd. - across from The Q) or by shopping online!

Adam Adkins of the Tampa Tribune reports the Tampa Bay Storm are pleased to announce a Holiday Special for fans to catch the exciting action during the upcoming Arena Football League season.  For $99 dollars fans can get up close to the action with two season tickets and they will also receive two Tampa Bay Storm t-shirts.

TampaBayStorm.com recently interviewed offensive lineman Tom Kaleita this week. Get to know the THRILLing side of Tom and what he thinks about catching a pass as a lineman.

Brian VanOchten of The Grand Rapids Press writes the Grand Rapids Rampage are holding an open tryout Saturday from 6-10 p.m. at MVP Sports Spot in Kentwood.  The Rampage guarantee three participants will be signed to two-day contracts to practice with the team at some point during the 2009 season.  The cost is $60. All entrants will perform in the 40-yard dash, short shuttle and broad jump, as well as position and one-on-one drills. Registration begins at 5 p.m.

He also notes the Rampage have been busy on the transactions wire waiving QB Ryan Hart, OL Tyler McMeans, DB Ronald Dillon and DL Jason Holman.  The team also released OL Marcus Keys and WR Jermaine Lewis.

The dates for the AFL Dispersal Draft and the beginning of the free-agent signing period have been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 9 and Thursday, December 11, respectively, the League announced today.

Monday, December 1

Around the League: December 1

On Monday, November 24, the Avengers' official community partner PADRES Contra El Cancer held its annual "Harvest for HOPE" Thanksgiving event, providing a free holiday dinners to more than 130 families at the Saban Research Center near Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.  Avenger front office staff members were on hand to help pack up the turkey dinners and hand out goodies to the kids.

Georgia Force coaches Bob Kronenberg and Andy Kelly will team with defensive lineman Michael Bozeman and linebacker Cam Newton to assist with WXIA’s 26^th 11Alive Holiday Can-A-Thon. Force players and coaches will be in attendance from 12-1 p.m. on Friday, December 5, at Discover Mills Mall.

The Philadelphia Soul have joined Twitter to help keep fans in the loop with all Soul news.  The Soul know that fans are always interested in knowing what's going on with the team, so Twitter is the perfect way to keep fans in the know! Visit the Soul's page and see what's going on with the Soul!

Lloyd Engen of the Valley Courier notes that among those honoring Centauri Falcon coach Larry Joe Hunt on Saturday night was his former basketball star Anthony Dunn.  Dunn now plays for the defending ArenaBowl champion Philadelphia Soul.

The San Jose SaberCats tryout schedule for December 14 has been canceled.