Pre-Father’s Day Book Release Party Scheduled For War on the Floor

Thursday May 31, 2001

The Bookmark (Newton Plaza, Latham) will host a book release party for participatory journalist Jeff Foley on Wednesday, June 13. In anticipation of Father’s Day, Foley will sign copies of his recently released non-fiction book – War on the Floor, a 313-page account of his two partial seasons as an offensive specialist/writer with the Albany Firebirds – from 6 to 8 p.m. Former Firebirds fullback/linebacker Mike Waldron and Tim Farrell, formerly director of media relations for the Firebirds, are expected to autograph books with Foley. Waldron and Farrell play key roles in War on the Floor.

Jeff Foley, pictured on this football card, will be present to sign autographs and meet fans Image courtesy of CustomSportsCards.com

Since Father’s Day is just four days after the event, the Bookmark will provide free gift-wrapping when a copy of War on the Floor is purchased at the signing. Additionally, anyone wearing Firebirds gear will receive one dollar off the cover price.

War on the Floor (iUniverse.com, $20.95), a trade paperback, features 12 pages of photographs. The book is currently available at the Bookmark, iuniverse.com and arenafan.com. It will be available for order at bookstores across the United States beginning July 1. In addition to Capital Region events, Foley is scheduled to sign books in Chicago, New York City and New Jersey this summer.

“Foley walked down the same path paved by George Plimpton in (1963) when he went through a Detroit Lions training camp while writing Paper Lion,” TNN sports broadcaster Jill Arrington said.

Foley played in the Arena Football League in 1999 and 2000 despite never having played a single down of Pop Warner, high school or college football. Foley, who stands just 5-foot-6, donned a Firebirds uniform in an effort to find out what would become of an “average” man in the world of professional football. He holds the AFL’s record for least receiving yards in a career (-2).

A former Albany Times Union staff writer, Foley also has played professional baseball. He is the author of the novel White Trash. The 30-year-old’s work has appeared in Runner’s World, the Troy Record and he writes for arenafan.com. He and his wife, Tina, live in Waterford, N.Y. In addition to working as a freelance writer, Foley writes for Hudson Valley Community College’s (Troy, N.Y.) Community Relations office.