Firebirds Name Tony Bowick New Head Coach
November 21, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release
ALBANY, NY - The Albany Firebirds announced today the hiring of former Firebirds offensive/defense lineman and Conquest Line Coach Tony Bowick as the team's new Head Coach and Director of Football Operations.
Bowick enters his first season as the Firebirds Head Coach and he returns for his second season overall with the organization; he served as the Offensive & Defensive Line Coach for the Conquest during the 2006 season.
"We are thrilled to have Tony on board as our head coach," said Albany Firebirds President/CEO Garen Szablewski. "He not only possesses great AFL coaching experience, but he also has ties to Albany and our organization as both a player and a coach. He is the perfect fit to guide the Firebirds into the 2009 season."
Bowick, who resides in Troy, New York during the off-season, has three seasons of coaching experience in the Arena Football League, most recently in 2008 serving as the Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach for the Arizona Rattlers. In 2007 he served as the Offensive Line Coach for the AFL's Chicago Rush, helping them reach the American Conference Finals. Bowick began his coaching career in 2005 as the Offensive Line Coach for the Grand Rapids Rampage after playing the first eight games of the season with the team.
"I am excited about the opportunity to lead this team," said Firebirds new Head Coach and Director of Football Operations Tony Bowick. "I look forward to bringing back the traditions of the Firebirds to Albany the way it was when I was a player here and it starts by representing the organization with the utmost professionalism and respect."
Born in Dothan, Alabama, Bowick was an all-state athlete in three sports at Slocumb (AL) High School in football, basketball and baseball. He then attended the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, where he was a two-time All-American selection as a defensive lineman in 1987 and 1988. Bowick was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the 12th round of the 1989 NFL Draft and spent two seasons with the team. He then went on to have a 13-year playing career in the AFL, playing for Charlotte, Albany, Grand Rapids, Chicago and Austin. In 143 career AFL games, Bowick recorded 123 tackles and 16.5 sacks and won the 2001 ArenaBowl as a member of the Grand Rapids Rampage. Bowick played two seasons with the Albany Firebirds (1996-1997), helping the Firebirds win the 1996 Eastern Division Title and reach the second round of the AFL Playoffs.
Full and partial season ticket packages are now on sale for the 2009 Albany Firebirds regular season. For more information please contact the Firebirds at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyfirebirds.com.
• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...
arenafootball2 Stories from November 21, 2008
- Vipers Continue To Make Additions For 2009 - Alabama Vipers
- Green Bay Freeze Dance Team to Hold Open Tryout - Green Bay Blizzard
- Firebirds Name Tony Bowick New Head Coach - Albany Firebirds
- Siegfried to Return as Coach of Twisters - Arkansas Diamonds
- Fans to help decide Twisters' All-Decade Team - Arkansas Diamonds
- Tri-Cities Fever Dance Team Tryout Dates Set - Tri-Cities Fever
- Dusters tryouts rapidly approaching - Amarillo Venom
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.
