The Rampage Most Valuable `Player`
Mark Hodges
Friday July 27, 2001
Not another player, but rather a place. At the corner of 32nd and Lake Eastbrook Blvd. in Kentwood.
The Rampage’s new practice facility.
At the end of last season when the Rampage were humiliated in the playoffs by the Nashville Kats, it was thought by many in Grand Rapids that coach Michael Trigg may not be the man to bring the Rampage to prominence. It was known that Trigg and Rampage owner Dan DeVos met to discuss the future. But rather than terminating the coach, DeVos asked what it would take to bring the Rampage to the next level.
And hence the Rampage practice facility was built in the offseason.
I believe it is what brought the Rampage to the level they are playing at now. It was a major luring point to bring quarterback Clint Dolezel, arguably the best free agent available last off season, to the smallest market in the AFL. Not to mention lineman Lucas Yarnell, receiver Rodney Blackshear, and fullback/linebacker Lincoln Coleman. It probably helped lure Tony Bowick away from daydreams of retirement to play for another season.
With its 61 foot ceilings, it allows kicker Brian Gowins to practice continually in a controlled environment, which contributes to his success as the most accurate kicker in the league. With its three practice fields, it allows the coaching staff to design drills for the players in offense and defense at the same time. With its state-of-the-art weight room, it allows the players to stay in tip-top shape. With its top-of-the-line rehabilitation room, it has given the training staff the opportunity to bring injured players back to health quicker. With its consistent location, it gives the coaching staff the opportunity to hold practices when they wish and as often as they wish.
Most of all, it has given the players and coaching staff a vote of confidence from the owner and gives them the tools they need to compete for a championship. It has created a sense of unity and community for the players. It has given them a home, which is evident by the amount of players who are now making Grand Rapids their permanent home.
Give Trigg a pat on the back for having the testicular fortitude to ask his owner for a dream any coach in the league would kill for. Give DeVos credit for having a long term vision and seeing how a facility such as this gives his investment the chance for a chance to stay on top. Give the community credit for supporting an organization like this when the chips were down.
Mark Hodges was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2001 to 2002.
