CHICAGO - The Chicago Rush have officially kicked off preseason activities with the start of mini-camp Wednesday. The three-day, non-contact mini-camp will give rookies a chance to adapt to the on-field proceedings, while giving veterans the opportunity to brush up on the skills that brought Chicago their fifth Central Division Championship in 2011.
 
Full contact training camp will begin Monday, Feb. 20 and last through Saturday, March 3. From there, the roster will be slimmed down to the final 24 man squad, who will look to bring a second ArenaBowl Championship title to Chicago.
 
Training camp will take place at the team’s practice facility in Palatine, Ill. It is open to the public and will give fans the opportunity to get an up close and personal look at the team before the home opener March 10th against the Tampa Bay Storm.
 
Among the players returning to the squad are QB Russ Michna (65 touchdown passes in 13 games in 2011), WR Reggie Gray (49 touchdown receptions in 2011) and DB Vic Hall (15 interceptions in 2011).
 
The Rush will have one preseason game, taking on former head coach Mike Hohensee and the Iowa Barnstormers Saturday, Feb. 25 at the iWireless center in Moline, Ill. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and start at $10.