Pioneers News

March 24, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers News Release


"This is going to be a tough camp," former Roanoke Steam player Russell Benditt (FB/LB) after meeting the other 2003 Pioneers hopefuls at Tuesday physicals at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.

Open to the Public: If you want to see what Russell is talking about, check out a Pioneers training camp practice at the Wyoming Valley Sports Dome in Wilkes-Barre. The facility is open to the public, but we ask that any fan interested in attending respect the playing field, the players and the coaches. There is limited bench space at the Sports Dome.

March 24th - 9:00PM-10:30PM - Sports Dome
March 25th - 8:00AM-10:00AM - Sports Dome
March 26th - 6PM -8PM - Sports Dome
March 27th - 7:30PM-9:30PM - Sports Dome
March 28th - 8:00AM-9:30PM - Sports Dome
March 29th - 11AM - 1PM - Sports Dome

Player News

New Faces: The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers announced earlier this week that former East Stroudsburg quarterback Jeremy Palm was assigned to the team's training camp roster by the af2 league office. During his college career, Palm completed 438 passes for 4,467 yards and 40 touchdowns. He was the leading passer in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference his senior year, finishing first in passing yards (244.4 yds/gm) and total offense (264.6 yds/gm) while throwing for 2,200 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Returning Pioneers: The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers announced earlier this week that Pioneers inaugural season players Elly Salamo, Kevin Nagle, and Chad Clark have been assigned by the af2 to the team's training camp roster. Salamo appeared in 13 games during the inaugural season, rushing 50 times for 217 yards and eight touchdowns. He also scored once as a receiver. Defensively, he recorded 25.5 tackles (22 solo, seven assisted) and three blocked kicks. Nagle played in all 16 regular season games for the Pioneers, finishing third on the team with 46 tackles (35 solo, 22 assisted). Offensively, he rushed for six touchdowns. Offensive/defensive lineman Chad Clark will also return from the 2002 season. Clark appeared in three games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last year, recording eight solo tackles and two assists.

Ticket On-Sale Date: The 2003 Pioneers Home Opening game will be on sale to the general public later this week. Check the website this week for the official announcement.

Season Tickets: The 2003 Pioneers season tickets arrive in the office early this week (applicable only to season tickets purchased before 3-1-03) and will be available for pick-up on Thursday. Office Hours: Thursday 9-6, Friday 9-6 and Saturday 10-2. If you are unable to pick-up your tickets later this week, tickets will be mailed to the same address the Pioneers use for billing. Season Tickets purchased after 3-1-03 will be mailed to fans as soon as they arrive.

Ages 6-12 -- This is for you! The Pioneers spent a lot of effort during the off-season planning kid friendly activities for our youngest of fans, including: Two (2) Jr. Pony Express Clinic Dates --- Saturday, May 3 and Friday, June 20; One (1) Jr. Pioneers Football Clinic -- Friday, May 23; Two (2) Pee-Wee Football Nights -- Saturday, May 3 and Friday, June 20. For more information, check out the Pioneers website at www.wbspioneers.com. Or call the Pioneers front office at (570) 970-4af2.

More Stuff for Fans Under 15: 2003 is also the season the Pioneers are launching their official Kids' Club, supported by WBRE TV-28. The Pioneers/WBRE-TV 28 Kids' Club is now forming ... with fun, games, freebies and top-secret information for every fan that joins. Best of all, each member of the Pioneers/WBRE TV-28 Kids' Club is invited to an exclusive party with members of the 2003 Pioneers and 2003 Pony Express. The Kids' Club is open to fans ages 15 and under. No one with a license allowed! Fans can visit the Kids' Club booth on the inner concourse during any Pioneers home game. The booth is moved outdoors during Fan Fest dates: May 23, June 20, June 27 and July 11.

Home Opener: The Pioneers Friday, April 11th home opener is going to be a blast! The game starts at 7PM, but be there by 6PM to be one of the first 5,000 fans through the doors and receive a Pioneers magnetic schedule courtesy of Wegman's Market and WB 38. The Pioneers will honor the memory of co-founder and co-operator Johnny Unitas during the home opening pre-game ceremony. Why attend a Pioneers game this season? Besides checking out the new team, new coach and catching up on all your favorite returning players, the 2003 Pioneers game day features a lot of upgrades including a new look and dance style for the 2003 Pony Express Dance Team, new music and effects as well as more chances for fans to win prizes than ever before (prizes courtesy of: Old Country Buffet, Army, Mojave Creative, The Waterfront, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Tobyhanna Army Depot and the Citizen's Voice/Scranton Times Tribune, to name only a few). Stick around after the game, and the entire team will return to the field to sign autographs. After autographs, all fans are invited to join the Pioneers at The Waterfront for the Pioneers post-game party.

Pioneers to Host Shows on WB: The 2003 players will host an entire week of shows on WB beginning the week prior to the team's home opener on Friday, April 11.

Theme Nights: Another addition in 2003 is theme nights. Each game during the 2003 season follows a specific theme. For example, the first home game is dedicated to the memory of Johnny Unitas. Prior to the game, the Pioneers will raise an eternal banner in memory of Johnny U. As well as honor his family by having them as Honorary Captains for the Home Opening Coin Toss. For some theme nights, such as Sign Night and Hawaiian Shirt Night, we need interaction from the fans. For Sign Night, show up at the First Union Arena with your best pro-Pioneers sign, and we'll reward the best sign of the night with a BIG prize. For other theme nights, such as Jr. Pioneers and Jr. Pony Express Night, you'll find on-field themes that involve the participants of our special pre-game Clinics. Please look below for a list of upcoming theme nights:

Friday, April 11th Johnny Unias Tribute Night
Saturday, April 26th Pioneers Sign Night (Bring Signs and Win)
Saturday, May 3rd Jr. Pony Express Night
Friday, May 16th Armed Forces Night (Recogizing NEPAs Heros)
Friday, May 23rd Jr. Pioneers Football Night (Football Clinic) * Outdoor Fan Fest Date
Friday, June 20th Hawaiian Shirt Night (Wear Your Best Island Get-up and Win) * Outdoor Fan Fest Date
Friday, June 27th Couples Night *Outdoor Fan Fest Date
Friday, July 11th Fan Appreciation Night * Outdoor Fan Fest Date



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