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Detroit Fury Releases 2003 Schedule

October 10, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Detroit Fury News Release


AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - The Detroit Fury of the Arena Football League has announced the team's 2003 Regular Season Schedule, highlighted by new divisional opponents in a new conference and as many as four nationally-televised contests on NBC. The 2003 season kicks-off at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Sunday, February 2, 2003 against the Indiana Firebirds.

"The Fury will be a very different team this season, said Greg Myford, senior vice president of Fury Football. "A new coaching staff, more than a few new players, new divisional opponents and, most importantly, an atmosphere that focuses 100% on team accomplishment. Our fans are going to enjoy the team's turnaround, and with NBC coverage, we're counting on a lot of new fans enjoying our turnaround as well."

The Fury will take the field playing in an all-new conference this season. The team formerly played in the Central Division of the American Conference. Due to re-alignment decisions, and the addition of expansion teams, the Fury will now play in the Eastern Division of the National Conference. The team will play the Buffalo Destroyers, the New Jersey Gladiators, and the New York Dragons twice each year. The growing rivalry between the Detroit Fury and Grand Rapids Rampage will have to be put on hold, as the teams do not face each other during the 2003 regular season.

The AFL will have an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the 2003 season with a national television agreement with NBC. The Detroit Fury will play four nationally-televised games on NBC. The network will feature 71 live AFL telecasts throughout the season. Because of the national television agreement with NBC, the AFL season will no longer be played from April to July. Instead, the new AFL season will begin in February and end in April. The 2003 season will also offer a much more fan and family-friendly schedule. The Fury will play six of eight home games on Sunday afternoon.

The Fury looks to improve on last season's 1-13 record by adding veteran experience on the field and the bench. The AFL's all-time passing leader, Andy Kelly, has joined the team to add offensive power from the quarterback position. Kelly, the AFL's all-time leader in passing yardage (23,882), passing TD's (455), completions (2,111), and attempts (3,429) is the likely starter for 2003.

On the bench, the team named Al Luginbill as the new head coach and general manager. Luginbill's son Tom was named as assistant head coach and director of player personnel. Al Luginbill will be entering his 34th year in the coaching profession and boasts an impressive 86-56-2 all-time head coaching record.

Entering its 17th season of play, the AFL has tripled its overall attendace in the past three seasons. As a result of the surge in popularity, Arena Football will now be in homes every Sunday during the AFL season. A new understanding and visibility to the sport is apparent with the NBC deal, as the AFL will appear on broadcast network television more than the NHL or the NBA this season.

Detroit Fury season tickets are on-sale now for the 2003 AFL season. For more information, please call (313) 377-0100 or check out the Fury online at www.detroitfury.com

2003 Detroit Fury Schedule
Sunday February 2 Indiana 3:00 pm
Sunday February 9 Georgia 3:00 pm
Friday February 14 @ Carolina 7:30 pm
Sunday February 23 Dallas 3:00 pm NBC
Sunday March 2 @ Tampa 3:00 pm NBC
Friday March 7 @ Arizona 9:00 pm
Sunday March 16 New York 12:00 pm NBC
Sunday March 23 @ Colorado 5:00 pm
Sunday March 30 @ Buffalo 3:00 pm
Friday April 4 Chicago 11:30 am
Friday April 11 @ San Jose 10:30 pm
Saturday April 19 @ New York 7:00 pm
Saturday April 26 @ New Jersey 7:00 pm
Sunday May 4 Buffalo 3:00 pm
Sunday May 11 New Jersey 3:00 pm NBC
Friday May 16 Orlando 7:30 pm

All games are subject to change. All times Eastern

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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