Orlando Predators off-season report
Published on August 28, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
PRIME SEASON TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
After the end of the annual season ticket renewal period, the Orlando Predators announced today that 2007 season tickets, including a select number of lower bowl tickets, are now available to the general public.
Through Friday, the Predators announced that more than 70% of last year's season ticket holders had renewed for the 2007 campaign. Even with the success, Director of Ticketing Chris Tamburrelli noted that several lower bowl tickets - including coveted lower bowl sideline seats - were now available to the general public.
"We have completed our most successful renewal campaign in club history and are now in the process of moving last year's season ticket holders that requested upgrades," Tamburrelli said. "Currently we do have some lower bowl seating available."
For fans wishing to purchase lower bowl seating, Tamburrelli noted the importance of acting quickly. "We finished last season with more than 11,000 season ticket holders and totally sold out the lower bowl. We are on pace to break that record this year," Tamburrelli said. "We currently have some lower bowl seats available to the general public, but these tickets will sell quickly."
Prices for season ticket packages for a nine-game schedule are $432 (lower bowl sideline), $315 (lower bowl corners), $270 (lower bowl corner end zones), $198 (lower bowl end zone I, upper bowl sideline), $135 (lower bowl end zone II, upper bowl corners) and $63 (upper bowl sidelines). Although currently sold out, the team has started a waiting list for Dream and Club Seats.
Tickets may be reserved with a $50 per seat deposit (balance due Oct. 31). The Predators also have a season ticket payment plan available. To order tickets, call the Orlando Predators ticket office at 407-44-PREDS. Additional ticket information, including a seating map, can be found at www.orlandopredators.com.
DELL, OTHERS IN "INVINCIBLE"
Central Florida movie fans might recognize several current and former Orlando Predators players in the movie "Invincible" that opened Aug. 25. The movie tells the unlikely story of a down-on-his luck teacher and part-time bartender Vince Papali (Played by Mark Wahlberg), who earned a roster spot on the Philadelphia Eagles after attending an open tryout in the 1970s.
In all, around 50 current or former Arena Football League players worked on the movie. Current Preds WR/LB Clif Dell and former OS Travis McGriff had the biggest roles -- serving as stunt doubles for Wahlberg. They replaced Wahlberg in practically all the football scenes. Dell also appears in the movie as a rec league flag football player in the film's early scenes.
Other players with Orlando Predators connections who worked on the movie include current FB/LB Kevin Nagle, as well as former Preds players Matt Storm, Robert Gordon, Chris Sanders, and Lamont Moore. Former Preds quarterback Pat O'Hara, who works for a company called "Reel Sports," coordinated the hiring and training of the players for the movie.
GRUDEN MOONLIGHTING WITH BUCS
Predators head coach Jay Gruden is beginning his fifth season as an offensive assistant for the Tampa Bay Bucs. The team recently broke its training camp at Walt Disney Wide World of Sports and returned to Tampa. The team's first game is Sept. 10 against the Ravens.
In other personnel notes, quarterback Joe Hamilton is enrolled in classes at Georgia Tech...assistant head coach Les Moss and FB/LB Marlon Moye-Moore are coaching Pop Warner Football and center Justin Cleveland is working for his parent's defense contracting business in Melbourne.
PREDS FIRST OPEN TRYOUT CAMP SEPT. 30
The first of two open tryout camps for prospective players will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30 at Tinker Field, next to the Florida Citrus Bowl.
The tryout will consist of the 40-yard dash, 20-yard short shuttle, and individual and team non-contact drills by position. Registration will begin at 8 a.m., with the tryouts beginning promptly at 9 a.m. The tryouts will be held rain or shine.
"I have always been of the opinion that there are always quality football players that slip through the cracks," Orlando Predators head coach Jay Gruden said. "These open tryout camps give those players an opportunity to get noticed by our coaching staff, as well as coaches from the arenafootball2 league."
Orlando has had a long history of discovering and signing players out of their free agent tryout camp. Javarus Dudley, a first-year player who earned Arena Football League All-Rookie honors with the Predators in 2006, and back-up quarterback Jake Eaton were signed out of last year's tryout camp; while starting defensive specialist Lin-J Shell was a product of the 2003 free agent tryout camp. In all, the Predators have signed at least one player from its tryout camps in each of the last 16 years.
In addition to the Orlando Predators coaching staff, select coaches from the "arenafootball2" league will be on hand to evaluate tryout participants.
The Free Agent Tryout Camp is for all positions, including quarterbacks, fullback/linebackers, wide receiver/defensive backs, offensive/defensive linemen and kickers. All participants will be required to sign an injury waiver form. There is a non-refundable $60 registration fee ($50 if pre-registering) to cover the costs of the tryout. Prospective players should come dressed in shorts, t-shirt and grass cleats. No equipment will be provided. Athletes may obtain registration forms or obtain more information by visiting the Predators web site at www.orlandopredators.com, stopping by the Predators Office at 302 S. Graham Ave., Orlando, FL or calling 407-44-PREDS.
PROWLERS DANCE TEAM TRYOUTS
Audition dates for the 2007 Orlando Predators Prowlers Dance Team have been set. A preliminary tryout is slated for Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Englewood Neighborhood Center beginning with a 12 noon registration.
A non-mandatory pre-audition class will be held on Monday, Sept. 25 beginning at 6:30 p.m., also at Englewood Neighborhood Center.
The non-mandatory audition class is taught by Prowler Dance Team Director Brandy Daimwood-Bouchy and Assistant Director Genevieve Jahn. It is an opportunity to discuss the entire audition process and participate in a "mock audition." There is a $25 registration fee for the audition class. There is no dress code for the class, but participants should wear comfortable clothes they can move in and dance shoes or sneakers are recommended.
The preliminary tryout is a closed audition, with no family or friends permitted to attend. Participants should come dressed in a two-piece outfit, flesh colored tights and dance shoe or sneaker. Registration begins at 12 noon and there is a $20 registration fee ($10 for those who participated in the audition class).
For more information on the tryout, call the Predators office at 407-44-PREDS.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from August 28, 2006
- Blaze announce Harley-Davidson Blaze Dance Team - Utah Blaze
- Orlando Predators off-season report - Orlando Predators
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.
