October team-by-team update

Monday October 6, 2008

NEW YORK – All 17 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: QB LANG CAMPBELL is coaching for his former high school football team at John Handley High School in Winchester, VA.

Chicago: The Adrenaline Rush Dancers will host a series of prep classes leading up to auditions for the 2009 squad. The first class will take place on Sunday, October 19 at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. Log onto www.chicagorush.com for a complete schedule.

Cleveland: On Saturday, October 4, QB RAYMOND PHILYAW was an honorary team captain of his alma mater football team, Louisiana-Monroe, as they hosted Louisiana-Lafayette…On Friday, October 10, members of the Gladiators front office will be at Nordonia High School when the Nordonia Knights host the Stow High School Bulldogs. The Gladiators will have a sales table present at the game, auction off an autographed Bernie Kosar item, and allow both teams to run through the Gladiators’ inflatable helmet prior to kickoff…The Gladiators will hold an open tryout at the team’s practice facility in Warrensville Heights on Saturday, October 11.

On Tuesday, October 14, DL JOE MINUCCI, along with three Gladiator Goddesses will participate in the 25th Anniversary Celebrity Waiter Event to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast Ohio. The event is sponsored by Catan Fashions by Patrice and will be held at Windows on the River in downtown Cleveland…The Goddesses will hold open auditions from Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26.

Colorado: The Crush hired TOMMY JOHNSON as its defensive coordinator.

Columbus: The Destroyers held an open tryout at the team’s practice facility on Saturday, October 4…Columbus acquired LB STEVE WATSON and OL WILLIAM OBENG from the San Jose SaberCats in exchange for OL HOWARD DUNCAN.

Dallas: OL JEFF CHASE, OL/DL JEREMY CALAHAN, and FB/LB DUKE PETTIJOHN are coaching high school football at Parrish Episcopal in Dallas…WR/DB WILL PETTIS is coaching high school football at Trinity High School in Dallas.

Georgia:  FB/LB COACH DIALLEO BURKS is coaching at LaGrange College in LaGrange, GA.

Grand Rapids: QB JAMES MACPHERSON is coaching high school football at Mountain View High School in Tucson, AZ. MacPherson is also helping local high school athletes in the Tucson area compile highlight tapes for college recruiting purposes.

Kansas City: The finals of the Brigade Girl tryouts will take place on Friday, October 10…The Brigade will host an open tryout on Sunday, October 12 at the Kansas City Soccer Dome…QB QUINCY CARTER is working in the Brigade’s ticket department as well as making promotional appearances throughout the city…WR JEREL MYERS is coaching high school football at Madison High School in Houston, TX.

Los Angeles: The Avengers Street Teams are hosting AFL Avenger interactives at 11 high school and four Pac-10 football games throughout southern California. Avenger interactives include inflatables, passing games, contests, and giveaways.

New Orleans: The VooDoo announced the re-signing of WR DERRICK LEWIS…The VooDoo will host its first open tryout of the offseason on Saturday, October 18 at the VooDoo practice facility.

New York: The Dragons held a press conference on Tuesday, September 23 to introduce new owner STEVEN SILVA. New York Giants linebacker DANNY CLARK and New York Jets safety KERRY RHODES were introduced as members of the Dragons Advisory Board. At the press conference, DB BILLY PARKER unveiled the team’s new logo. Parker is also working in the Dragons front office.

Orlando: On Saturday, September 27, the Orlando Predators were honored at the Orange County Regional History Center with an exhibit. It featured pictures of Predators players and the film “Beating the Odds,” highlighting the team’s 1998 championship season.

Philadelphia: The Soul will host an open tryout on Sunday, October 12 at Woodland Hills High School in Pittsburgh.

San Jose: The SaberCats announced the re-signing of DB CLEVAN THOMAS. Thomas is working with Parks and Recreation in Miami, FL where he tutors children for two hours every day and coaches flag football. Thomas also coaches a Pop Warner team...San Jose acquired OL HOWARD DUNCAN from the Columbus Destroyers in exchange for LB STEVE WATSON and OL WILLIAM OBENG.

Tampa Bay: On Saturday, October 18 the Storm will hold an open tryout at the 31st Street South Sports Complex in St. Petersburg… The Storm will be holding Dance Team auditions on Sunday, October 26 at the St. Pete Times Forum…WR/LB LAWRENCE SAMUELS will be inducted into the University of West Alabama Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 25. On Saturday, September 27 Samuels made an appearance at the Mike Alstott Family Foundation day for the Sports Buddies Program with Big Brothers and Big Sisters at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg….DB TRACO RACHAL is coaching high school football at Chadwick High School in Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA.

Utah: The Blaze will host an open tryout on Friday, October 17 at the University of Utah practice facility.