Former NCAA record-setting return man joins Crush

Friday April 4, 2008

DENVER, Colo. – After a crash course learning how to catch a ball of the nets before last week’s game against New Orleans, former Hawaii WR Chad Owens earned a spot on the Colorado Crush practice roster this week.

WR Chad Owens (5-8, 180, Hawaii) is the latest free agent signing of the season for head coach Mike Dailey and the Crush. Owens was the 185th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars and was most recently on the training camp roster of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2007.

While at Hawaii (2001-2004), the former walk-on tied the NCAA record for most touchdowns scored on kick returns in a career with eight (six punts and two kickoffs), and set the NCAA record for most touchdowns scored on punt returns in a season with five during his senior year, good enough to earn him Second Team All-American Honors.

“He is a high-motor guy,” Colorado head coach Mike Dailey said. “He will give us a spark both in the locker room and in the arena. His speed is obvious and we are really looking at working him in off the nets as a return man.”

The Crush will look to shake off their most recent heartbreaking loss against New Orleans last week when they play host to the L.A. Avengers (2-3) at 7 p.m. tomorrow night (Friday 4/4) at Pepsi Center.

Group tickets for the 2008 season are now on sale. Contact a Crush account executive at (720) 258-3400 to reserve your seats today. Individual game tickets can be purchased at the Pepsi Center Ticket Office, all Colorado Ticketmaster locations and on line at ticketmaster.com.