L.A. Avengers open three-day mini camp tomorrow
December 3, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- With only 67 days remaining until the kickoff of their fifth season of play in the 18-year-old Arena Football League, the Los Angeles Avengers will take the first step toward the 2004 campaign on Thursday morning when a three-day mini camp opens at the team's practice facility at West Los Angeles College.
Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss is expecting all 37 players currently under contract to be in attendance. The team will practice twice on Thursday (9:40-11:45 a.m. and 1:50-3:45 p.m.), twice on Friday (8:50-11:30 a.m. and 12:50-3 p.m.) and once on Saturday (8-11:30 a.m.).
"We're excited to get back on the field and see all the guys," said Hodgkiss, who led the Avengers to an 11-5 record and No. 4 playoff seed last season in his second year with the club. "It's going to give us a chance to get to know each other a little bit before they all come back for training camp in January, so we'll be able to hit the ground running at that time. For the new guys, mini camp will give them a taste of the AFL game, while it signals to the returning players that the season is just around the corner."
Avenger quarterback Tony Graziani, offensive specialist Chris Jackson (2003 AFL Offensive Player of the Year) and wide receiver/linebacker Greg Hopkins, will be among the veterans mixing in with several exciting newcomers, including 300-pound fullback/linebacker Wes Ours, elusive kick returner Brian Sump and massive lineman Al Lucas, who helped lead the Tampa Bay Storm to the ArenaBowl XVII title last season as a rookie.
The Avengers will open the 2004 season on Sunday, Feb. 8, in Phoenix versus the Arizona Rattlers, who have competed in the past two ArenaBowls. Then, after another road game on Valentine's Day against the Las Vegas Gladiators, the Avengers will play their home opener versus the San Jose SaberCats on Sunday, Feb. 22, at STAPLES Center.
All three of those games will kick off at noon (Pacific) and be televised on KNBC-4.
Nine-game season ticket packages are now on sale and can be purchased by calling 1-888-AVENGERS or online at www.laavengers.com.
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