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Rampage Out for Revenge on Friday

February 25, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - After losing their first game of the season this past Sunday, the Grand Rapids Rampage (3-1) of the Arena Football League face the Carolina Cobras (0-4) this Friday night at Van Andel Arena, finishing out a three-game home stand.

The Rampage's lone Friday night home contest of 2003, which is officially sold out, pits the Rampage against the team that crushed their repeat championship hopes in the first round of the 2002 AFL Playoffs. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and can be heard live on WBBL 1340 AM. Veteran broadcasters Joe Parson and Tom Sullivan will handle the call of the game.

In addition to the game, Friday night marks the very first Rampage Scout Sleepover Night. Over 2,000 West Michigan scouts will be in attendance - 1,300 of which are camping out overnight on the field. The overnight festivities include movie watching on the video board and breakfast in the morning.

At halftime, the Rampage welcome Skip Banks - better known as "The Balloon Man." This giant one-man balloon act has appeared on David Letterman, Maury Povich and Good Morning America. He also has performed during numerous NBA halftime shows

The Rampage wrap up the total AFL game experience with a postgame autograph session. Fans are welcome to come down on the field to meet players and get free autographs immediately following each home game.

The 2003 season marks the historic debut of the AFL on NBC. NBC Sports will televise up to 70 games, including all playoff games and ArenaBowl XVII on June 22. The network's coverage this week includes: Dallas at Arizona, Colorado at Indiana, Georgia at Los Angeles and Orlando at New York.

Scout Sleepover: Friday night's game marks the very first Rampage Scout Sleepover Night. Over 2,000 West Michigan scouts will be in attendance - 1,300 of which are camping out overnight on the field. As a part of the festivities, the Rampage will show a movie on the video board and serve breakfast in the morning.

Halftime Act: Skip Banks - better known as "The Balloon Man." - This giant one-man balloon act has appeared on David Letterman, Maury Povich and Good Morning America. He also has performed during numerous halftime shows.

Autograph Session: Immediately following the game, the Rampage will hold a postgame autograph session. All fans are welcome to come down on the field to meet the players and get free autographs.

Rampage/Cobras Quick Facts:

* This will be the fourth overall meeting between these two teams. Grand Rapids leads the series two games to one, but Carolina's lone victory came in round one of the playoffs last season.

* Rampage head coach Michael Trigg is in his 10th season (68-64 overall), while Cobras' head coach Mike Hold is in his 1st season (0-4 overall).

* Grand Rapids is 20-17 all-time in regular season games at Van Andel Arena.

* Carolina's roster boasts two former Rampage linemen: Ethan Banning and Paul Mandina. Banning played in 11 games for the Rampage from 2000-01, while Mandina played in four games during the 2001 championship season.

* Carolina's roster also has three players that spent training camp time with the Rampage: QB Robert Hall (2002), lineman Craig Moore (2003) and DS Derek Stingley (2003).



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 25, 2003


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