Banks looks forward to Saturday's All-Star Game
August 4, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Dayton Bulldogs News Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio - It took four years, but Arden Banks finally got his big opportunity this past season. The former Ohio University defensive back took advantage of every minute with the National Indoor Football League Dayton Warbirds.
The culmination of his success came a few weeks ago when he was named as a participant in the NIFL 2005 All-Star Classic at Odessa, Texas, which takes place this Saturday night.
"I was surprised in one way because it had been four years since I played," Banks said from his home. "And, no, I was not surprised because I have worked so hard to reach this moment. I set the bar so high; I'm my own worst critic and expect perfection."
Banks credits mental and physical maturity over the past four years, since his last year of football eligibility with the Bobcats in Athens, Ohio, in 2001. He also thanks his friend, Ray Slogar, a fitness mentor, for conditioning he has needed to perform like he did this past season in the NIFL.
FOUR-YEAR WAIT WORTHWHILE
"I don't think the four years off was a waste of time because I knew there was going to be a call," said Banks, who had NFL tryouts, along with those with Montreal and Toronto in the Canadian Football League and the AFL's Colubus Destroyers.
Saturday he will get a chance at a combine workout Saturday morning in front of NFL, CFL and AFL player personnel types. Not getting a chance after the tryouts was frustrating," said the 25-year-old who graduated from Ohio U. in 2003 with a degree in sports management. "I knew what I could do and I knew I had the tools to do it. I got the opportunity with Dayton and made the most of it. I just thank Coach King (Matt) for the opportunity.
In the four years, following four outstanding collegiate seasons, Banks has been working out and developing a physical regimen, as well as a nutritional program to keep him at the top of his game. He's been an instructor himself at California Fitness in Columbus while coaching football at the high school level.
"I know now more about how the body works and how to take better care of it," he said. "I've put on 12 pounds of muscle and improved my quickness."
Banks had an outstanding 2005 season in a Warbirds uniform. He led the league in passes defended which is the total of interceptions (9) and pass breakups (14) for a total of 23. That was 2 more than his closest rival, Micah Simmons of Daytona Beach with 21.
JOINS GREENWOOD, DEMPS, OTHERS
He also had a total of 45.5 tackles (31 solo) with three tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. His nine interceptions totaled 75 (8.3) in return yards. One on a 49-yard return for a score. He also had one kick off return of eight yards and totaled 94 all-purpose yards.
The former Franklin Heights High School star will be in good company with the other defensive backs on the team that include veteran Carl Greenwood of Corpus Christi, Damian Demps of the Lakeland ThunderBolts, David Philyaw of the Montgomery Maulers, and Randy Chappell of Beaumont.
Game time is 10 p.m. eastern time and can be heard online at www.97gold.com.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from August 4, 2005
- Banks looks forward to Saturday's All-Star Game - Dayton Bulldogs
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