AFL Teams Gear Up for Start of 2004 Season
Published on January 5, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK - Coaching whistles. Wind sprints. Tackling dummies. All mark the start of Arena Football League preseason camps, which will begin Saturday, January 10 when the Detroit Fury take the field.
Seven other teams, including the expansion Austin Wranglers, New Orleans VooDoo and Philadelphia Soul, officially kick off training camp on Sunday, January 11. The defending ArenaBowl champion Tampa Bay Storm open camp on January 17.
"I'm extremely excited about getting this season started. We've added some very talented players and we understand the pressure involved in defending our championship," said defending ArenaBowl champion and Tampa Bay Storm head coach TIM MARCUM. "The new division alignment should make things interesting and with the playoff field being cut down to eight teams, every game is going to take on even more importance."
Following are each team's mini-camp and preseason camp start dates:
TEAM MINI-CAMP TRAINING CAMP
Arizona Rattlers None January 14
Austin Wranglers January 15-17 January 11
Carolina Cobras January 14-16 January 18
Chicago Rush January 7-9 January 19
* Colorado Crush January 7-9 January 11
* Columbus Destroyers January 8-10 January 11
* Dallas Desperados January 8-10 January 12
* Detroit Fury None January 10
Georgia Force None January 17
Grand Rapids Rampage None January 18
Indiana Firebirds December 11-13 January 11
Las Vegas Gladiators January 12-15 January 18
Los Angeles Avengers December 4-6 January 12
* New Orleans VooDoo January 7-9 January 11
New York Dragons January 15-17 January 18
Orlando Predators January 16-18 January 19
Philadelphia Soul None January 11
San Jose SaberCats December 5-7 January 11
Tampa Bay Storm None January 17
* Team has elected to hold its mini-camp immediately prior to the official open date for training camp. All mini-camps are no pads, non-contact camps. Official AFL training camp open date is Sunday, January 11 (optional).
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 5, 2004
- Desperados Set to Open Mini-Camp and Training Camp - Dallas Desperados
- Destroyers Begin Preparations for Season with Mini Camp January 7-9 - Columbus Destroyers
- Force Completes Roster with Three Signings - Georgia Force
- AFL Teams Gear Up for Start of 2004 Season - AFL I
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