Firebirds Announce 2004 Schedule
October 28, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Firebirds, in conjunction with the Arena Football League, have announced their 2004 regular season schedule, which includes two expansion teams, four out of their first six games on the road, and divisional match-ups with two former coaches. The Firebirds will compete in the Central Division, along with Colorado, Detroit, Chicago and Grand Rapids and will play eight home games at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Indiana opens up the season at home against the Columbus Destroyers on Saturday, February 7th at 7:00 PM. The Destoyers moved to Ohio from Buffalo, NY during the off-season and are coached by legendary Ohio State head coach, Earle Bruce. Following the season opener, the Firebirds will travel to expansion city New Orleans (2/14), and then on to Detroit (2/23) for their first division game. New Orleans, in their first AFL season, is owned by Saints' owner Tom Benson.
Indiana returns home on Sunday, February 29th, to face the Chicago Rush, before leaving for two consecutive road games (at Orlando and Austin, TX). The Firebirds will get to play their first set of back-to-back home games on March 20th (vs. Georgia) and 26th (vs. Grand Rapids). Following the two-game home stand, they will travel to Colorado to face former coach Mike Dailey and the Colorado Crush for the first of two meetings. Chicago and Colorado have been two of the most active teams in the Central Division during the 2004 free agency period.
With home games against Carolina (4/11) and Arizona (4/25), and a trip north to play rival Grand Rapids (4/17) in between, the Firebirds will have a good idea of what they need to do over the final month of the season to earn a post-season berth in 2004. Grand Rapids features a new head coach, Bob Cortese, and lost much of their roster to free agency, including All-Arena QB Clint Dolezel. Dolezel will still play the Firebirds however, when Indiana plays their final non-division game at Las Vegas (May 2). Three divisional games to finish the regular season could determine the leaders and playoff contenders in the Central Division. The Firebirds finish with home games against Detroit (5/8) and Colorado (5/16) and conclude the season at Chicago (5/23).
"We are excited about our 2004 schedule and how competitively balanced it is", stated General Manager John Kolner. "We have some very interesting rivalries both in and out of our division and I especially look forward to the match-ups at home versus Chicago and Colorado. Chicago kept us out of the playoffs last season and they have become a true rival for this franchise."
The Firebirds have seven games which are scheduled to appear regionally on NBC, all on Sunday afternoons. Times and dates are subject to change. For a complete 2004 schedule log onto www.firebirds.com. Firebirds' season tickets for the 2004 season are on sale now and can be purchased by calling a Firebirds' ticket representative at 317.472.8080. Firebirds merchandise is also available at Home Court Gift Shop. For merchandise information, please call 317.917.2755.
FIREBIRDS 2004 SCHEDULE
February 7 vs. Columbus Destroyers 7:00pm February 14 at New Orleans Voodoo 3:00pm (NBC) February 23 at Detroit Fury 7:30pm
February 29 vs. Chicago Rush 3:00pm (NBC)
March 6 at Orlando Predators 7:30pm
March 14 at Austin Wranglers 3:00pm
March 20 vs. Georgia Force 7:00pm
March 26 vs. Grand Rapids Rampage 7:30pm
April 3 at Colorado Crush 3:00pm
April 11 vs. Carolina Cobras 2:00pm (NBC)
April 17 at Grand Rapids Rampage 6:30pm
April 25 vs. Arizona Rattlers 2:00pm (NBC)*
May 2 at Las Vegas Gladiators 2:00pm (NBC)
May 8 vs. Detroit Fury 7:00pm*
May 16 vs. Colorado Crush 2:00pm (NBC)*
May 23 at Chicago Rush 2:00pm (NBC)
*Game Date subject to change due to NBA Playoffs.
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