Gladiators bolster line by re-signing Wilky Bazile
October 26, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
LAS VEGAS, NV, October 26, 2005 - The Las Vegas Gladiators kept one of their own at home by re-signing OL/DL Wilky Bazile today, it was announced by Gladiators' General Manager Dan Dolby. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
The Gladiators also signed traded for former Durango High School star Eddie Canonico and signed DS Charles Byrd, WR/DB Ivory McCann and FB/LB Oby Arah.
In exchange for Canonico, Las Vegas sent a future consideration to the Dallas Desperados.
Bazile (6-4, 285, Syracuse) re-signs with the Gladiators following one of his best years in the AFL. Last season with Las Vegas, Bazile set career highs in tackles (22), tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (3.0), leading all Gladiators lineman in each category. In 2004, he was named the Columbus Destroyers Ironman of the Year by leading the team with two sacks and four tackles for losses in 15 games. A fiery and emotional leader on the defensive line, Bazile has totaled 15 career sacks and 117 tackles in his ten-year AFL career. Bazile makes his off-season home in Las Vegas.
Canonico (6-1, 195, Sacramento State) was on the Kansas City Chiefs roster in 2005 and played for the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe. He split the 2004 campaign between the Dallas Desperados of the AFL and the Carolina Panthers of the NFL. In eight games for Dallas, he totaled 24.5 tackles, six pass breakups and one forced fumble in only eight games. He was a member of the Gladiators practice squad during the 2003 AFL season.
Arah (6-4, 275, Howard University) played for the Albany Conquest of af2 in 2005. He led the Conquest in sacks with 4.0 to go along with 17.5 tackles and two safeties. The former Howard University start went to training camp with the Baltimore Ravens in 2001 and played for the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL in 2002 and 20Byrd (5-11, 202, Morehead State) was a member of the Washington Redskins during their 2005 training camp and was signed to the practice squad prior to the season. He was named first-team I-AA All-American after last season by The Football Gazette and The Sports Network. In his career at Morehead, Byrd was credited with 184 tackles and 12 interceptions.
McCann (5-8, 170, Texas Tech) was an All-American return specialist for the Red Raiders. Armed with Blazing speed and smooth moves, McCann set a Texas Tech record for the longest kickoff return in school history as a freshman, scampering 108 yards for the score against New Mexico. The speedster was also a Junior National USA Track Team Member in the 4x100 that set the Texas state high school record.
On the strength of its Mission Statement and Fans' Bill of Rights, the Arena Football League - the second-longest running football league in U.S. history - begins its 20th season in 2006. Often recognized as one of the nation's most affordable and fan-friendly sports leagues, the Arena Football League is America's fastest-growing sport.
The AFL can be seen weekly beginning in January on NBC.
The Gladiators open the 2006 campaign on Friday, January 27, 2006, on the road at the Austin Wranglers. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM PT and can be heard on ESPN Radio 920 in Las Vegas with Andrew Siciliano and Mike Pritchard back to handle the call.
The Gladiators first home game will be a Monday Night Football contest against the San Jose SaberCats, February 6 at the Thomas & Mack Center. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 PM.
Gladiators' 2006 season seats are on sale now. Fans interested in purchasing Gladiators' season seats can do so by calling the Gladiators office at 702-731-4977 or by going online at www.UNLVtickets.com.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 26, 2005
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- Eddie Wide of Cimarron-Memorial High School earns Gladiators' Ironman Award - Las Vegas Gladiators
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