Renegades Team MVP Robinson Joins Grand Rapids
October 31, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Lubbock Renegades News Release
LUBBOCK, TX: October 31, 2007 - The arenafootball2 (af2) and the Lubbock Renegades serve as a developmental league to steer players to the Arena Football League (AFL) and other major professional leagues, and that fact was emphasized Tuesday, as Alvance Robinson became the first player in Renegades franchise history to sign with an AFL franchise. The Grand Rapids Rampage and Robinson agreed to terms late Tuesday and Robinson will now prepare himself to join the Rampage training camp.
"From day one, I knew he had potential and he picked up on everything we taught him," said Renegades Head Coach Rodney Blackshear. "I talked to Alvance about his decision and he is humble and thankful for what we did for him in Lubbock, and now he looks to make the most out this new chapter."
Robinson, a 5'9" 170-pound rookie out of Alabama State University, received the Renegades' "Team MVP" honor last season as the team's leading receiver and scoring leader despite missing four games during the season. He co-led the team with 64 receptions for a team-best 1085 yards and 22 touchdowns. Robinson averaged 90.4 yards receiving per game and registered this season's af2 single-game high with 32.7 average yards per catch on July 21st at Rio Grande Valley. He also has the af2's third highest average this season as well with 31.3 average yards per catch from their June 23rd contest against Amarillo. In the final two games of the season, Robinson exploded with 17 receptions for 396 yards and eight touchdowns. Robinson had touchdown receptions in 11 of his 12 games played and earned the af2's "Cutters' Catch of the Week" in Week 3 of the season after a solid one-handed touchdown catch over Arkansas Pierre Thomas while being interfered with.
Lubbock's coaching connection with Grand Rapids helped open the door for Robinson. The Rampage are coached by Steve Thonn, who use to serve as the Head Coach of the AFL's Houston ThunderBears. While in Houston, Thonn coached Blackshear and Renegades Defensive Coordinator Robert Hall, and also coached the ThunderBears when they played a regular season neutral site game against Oklahoma in Lubbock back during the 2001 season. Robinson is the first player to advance to the AFL after serving time with the Renegades and he marks the second Renegade to advance to a higher level of professional football. Quarterback Robert Kent became the first Renegade to advance his career following the season when he signed with the Toronto Argonauts in August. Media members seeking additional information in regards to Robinson's agreement with Grand Rapids may contact Chris Due at 806-744-5858.
The Renegades have concluded their inaugural 2007 campaign and are now preparing for the 2008 season. Season ticket and corporate sponsorship information for the 2008 is available by contacting the Renegades office at (806) 744-5858. Additional Renegades info can be found online via their official site at www.lubbockrenegades.com.
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