Gladiators roll the dice in Ventura County, CA on Saturday, November 6
October 14, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
Las Vegas, NV, October 14, 2004 â Ventura County, Ca., will be luring the Arena Football League's Las Vegas Gladiators General Manager Dan Dolby and the coaching staff to the area on Saturday, November 6, for an open tryout.
For the first time, the Gladiators are guaranteeing that at least one player from the tryout will receive a contract. That player will be given an invitation to training camp in January.
The tryout will be held at Hueneme High School in Ventura County. Throughout Dolby's history in Ventura County he recognizes the accomplishments of many athletes from the local high schools. The motivation and teachings of local high school coaches have produced an unrivaled list of talent in California. It is that wealth of talent that drew Dolby back to his old stomping grounds where he coached at Hueneme High School for two years to hold an open tryout.
Dolby, who is in his first season with the Las Vegas Gladiators, is the general manager. Dolby's football history includes coaching high school football at his alma mater, Santa Clara High School and also at Hueneme High School. During his coaching career, he spent time as an assistant and head coach. He was also a member of the 1999 Ventura County Coaching Staff of the Year.
"I am really excited about going back to were my football roots began and finding some great talent," Dolby said. "This will be the first time we have ever guaranteed a player contract, so this is serious business for us and I look forward to fulfilling someone's dream of playing professional football."
The open tryouts attract a wide variety of prospects. Some are former Division 1-A athletes with professional pedigrees, while others never made it past the college gridiron. Others are former high school players still hungry for a chance to play. Some notable Ventura County athletes that are confirmed for the tryout are Chad Pearson, former Oxnard High School and USC graduate; Aaron Neal, Oxnard High School and West Virginia University graduate and Isaih Mustafa, Santa Clara High School, Arizona State University graduate and former Tennessee Titan.
AFL open tryouts provide an opportunity for athletes to demonstrate their ability in non-contact drills â such as the 40-yard dash, 20-yard agility shuttle â as well as a series of one-on-one individual position drills.
The tryout will take place on Saturday, November 6, at Hueneme High School located at 500 Bard Road in Oxnard, Ca. 93033. All participants will be required to sign a waiver and pay a $50.00, cash only, registration fee. Players should dress in workout gear and have the appropriate shoes. Registration begins at 6:00 p.m. with the tryout beginning at 7:00 p.m. and concluding at 9:00 p.m. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Las Vegas Gladiators office at 702/731-4977. It is Dolby's intention to find the player(s) with the ability to compete for roster spots and contribute towards an ArenaBowl championship.
The Gladiators third season at the Thomas & Mack Center kicks off in 2005. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Gladiators office at (702) 731-4977 or logging onto www.lvgladiators.com.
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