L.A. Avengers open training camp for 2005 season
December 30, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- In preparation for their sixth season of play in the 19-year-old Arena Football League, the Los Angeles Avengers will open training camp on Sunday (Jan. 2) with some conditioning and meetings. Under the watchful eye of head coach Ed Hodgkiss, the 2005 Avengers will practice for the first time on Monday (Jan. 3) at 8:30 a.m.
"We've got a good mix of guys and a lot of talent on this team," said Hodgkiss, who has led the Avengers to the playoffs in each of his three years at the helm. "We're looking forward to starting training camp, running at full speed. It's going to be very competitive."
All practice sessions will be held at the Avenger Training Facility at West Los Angeles College in Culver City (including a scrimmage and kickoff party for season ticket holders on Jan. 8). The facility now features an entirely renovated football operations building and a new artificial turf playing surface. Previously, the Avengers held a large majority of their practices on natural grass.
"It's good that we get to be on turf everyday," Hodgkiss said. "It's always different playing football on grass, with your cuts and timing. So, this will help us in our preparation a great deal."
Training camp will conclude on Jan. 22, and features a scrimmage against the Colorado Crush in Denver on Jan. 17.
The 2005 season kicks off on Jan. 30, as the Avengers head to Las Vegas for a Western Division showdown with the Gladiators at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Avengers will play their home opener versus the Georgia Force at STAPLES Center on Feb. 4.
The Avenger roster, which currently consists of 34 players, will be trimmed to the regular-season limit of 24 by Jan. 24.
Eighteen newcomers will be in training camp to compete for roster spots with 16 returnees. Among the familiar faces are first team "All-Arena" wide receiver/defensive back Kevin Ingram, 2002 "Ironman of the Year" wide receiver/linebacker Greg Hopkins, offensive/defensive lineman Al Lucas, defensive specialist Damen Wheeler and second team "All-Arena" kicker Remy Hamilton.
Leading the way for the newcomers are veteran AFL quarterback John Kaleo, who won an ArenaBowl championship with the Tampa Bay Storm in 2003, former University of Southern California defensive back Antuan Simmons and linemen Luis Almanzar, Richard Seals and Tony Wragge, who each have experience in the NFL.
The Avengers went 9-7 last season and qualified for the ArenaBowl Playoffs for the third consecutive year. Los Angeles led the AFL in scoring (56.5 points per game) and averaged 12,590 fans at STAPLES Center for eight home games.
Nine-game season ticket packages, which start at $94.50, are on sale now at 1-888-AVENGERS or online at www.laavengers.com. Single-game tickets may be purchased at the STAPLES Center box office, at all Ticketmaster locations, on-line at www.ticketmaster.com and by calling 213-480-3232.
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