Raiders Training Camp To Begin February 5
February 1, 2008 - Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)
Rochester Raiders News Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (February 1, 2008)- The road to defending the 2007 Continental Indoor Football League Championship will begin next Tuesday February 5, 2008 when the Rochester Raiders start training camp at All-Star Sports Arena on East Ridge Road in Rochester, NY beginning at 9:30pm.
"We are excited to get out there and start playing football again," stated Raiders veteran Omar Baker, "You know we had a great season last year, winning the championship and all, this is a new season, we have a ring to defend now. With all the hard work we have been putting in during the off season I know we are all anxious about getting the pads back on and playing football again. It should be a great year."
The Raiders will be returning a majority of the players from their championship team of last year including Rochester natives; wide receiver Maurice Jackson, quarterback Mike Mickolaichik, and linebacker Jason Coley to name a few. The Raiders have also had some major signings including TJ Cottrell, son of San Diego Chargers Defensive Coordinator Ted Cottrell, along with Darryl Frager, Felix Joyner and Steve Flemming all of which played with the Port Huron Pirates last season. Both Joyner and Flemming are Rochester natives. Another Rochester native, Brenton Brady, a graduate of Marshall High School and a CIFL All-American last season with the Miami Valley Silverbacks will join the Raiders as well.
There will be ten rookies vying for roster spots that were selected from rookie tryouts to participate in the training camp beginning on Tuesday.
"We have a lot of talented guys coming into camp this year," commented Raiders co-owner Bob Bartosiewicz, "We will be an extremely deep team.
Over the next month and a half I know Coach (Ed) Long is going to put these guys through some hard drills and practices to put together the best quality team that the City of Rochester deserves. Our goal is to defend our championship from last year by winning another one this year."
The Raiders have a preseason game scheduled for March 3 against the Rock River Raptors in Rockford, IL. The Raptors will be entering their first year in the CIFL previously having been a member of the United Indoor Football League (UIF). The Raiders will kick off their 2008 season March 21 when they visit the Chesapeake Tide and will have their home opener at the Blue Cross Arena the following week March 29 against the Lehigh Valley Outlawz at 2:00pm. Season Tickets are currently on sale at the Blue Cross Arena and through Ticketmaster at a cost of $60 for the entire season, individual tickets will not be available until February and will be $15 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. For more information please visit www.rochesterraiders.com.
All media is invited and encouraged to attend this event Tuesday March 5, 2008 at 9:30pm at the All-Star Sports Arena. All players, coaches and staff will be available for comments and interviews.
Continental Indoor Football League Stories from February 1, 2008
- Chesapeake Tide Single Game Tickets Now on Sale - Chesapeake Tide
- Raiders Training Camp To Begin February 5 - Rochester Raiders
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