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Rampage Set to Open Training Camp

January 2, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. - The Grand Rapids Rampage will begin preparations for the 2003 Arena Football League season with the opening of their sixth annual training camp this Sunday, January 5.

Thirty-seven players, constituting the AFL's training camp roster limit, will begin a schedule of two-a-day practices starting Sunday from 6 to 8:45 a.m. at The Soccer Spot (32nd Street & Lake Eastbrook Blvd. in Kentwood). The majority of the camp sessions will run from 8 to 11:45 a.m. for the next three weeks, but times are subject to change. All practices are open to both the public and media.

The Rampage open camp with 21 holdovers from last year's team that finished the regular season with an 8-6 record. Among the returning players are quarterback Clint Dolezel, offensive specialist Steve Smith, lineman Corey Mayfield, wide receiver/defensive back Willis Marshall and fullback/linebacker Chris Ryan. Other returnees include fullback/linebackers Chris Avery, Michael Blair and Travis McDonald, wide receiver/defensive back Ricky Ross, linemen Rod Manuel, Israel Raybon and Joe Wylie, offensive specialist Terrill Shaw, and kicker Brian Gowins.

Leading the infusion of new talent into the Rampage roster are defensive specialists Cecil Doggette, Lamar Grant, Shea Showers and Derek Stingley. Another player to keep an eye on is former Milwaukee Mustang and Western Michigan standout Sean Riley, who will enter training camp as a wide receiver/defensive back.

The most interesting training camp battle will be at the defensive specialist position. Rampage head coach Michael Trigg brought in a total of six new defensive backs to improve a defense that ranked 13th in 2002. Joining the aforementioned veterans, Doggette, Grant, Showers and Stingley, in the battle are AFL rookies John Barnes and Chris Bayne.

In addition to hosting the Detroit Fury for shared practices on January 10 & 11 and 23 & 24, the Rampage will hit the road for scrimmages against the Indiana Firebirds (Jan. 13) and the ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats (Jan. 19). Grand Rapids will officially end camp on Saturday, Jan. 25 and begin regular practice sessions on Monday, Jan. 27.

Single-game tickets for all 2002 Rampage home games will go on sale Saturday, Jan. 18. Tickets will then be available to purchase through Tickets PLUS at (616) 222-4000 or (800) 585-3737, at West Michigan Meijer locations, and also at The Zone, located on the west side of Van Andel Arena. Rampage tickets can also be purchased on-line at www.tickets.com or www.rampagefootball.com. Four-game mini-plans, season ticket packages and group tickets are currently available by calling (616) 559-1871 or (888) 595-4878.

Grand Rapids opens the 2003 season with back-to-back road contests at the Buffalo Destroyers (Feb. 1) and Colorado Crush (Feb. 7) before returning to Van Andel Arena for their home opener against the New York Dragons on Sunday, Feb. 16. The 3 p.m. affair will be the first of the Rampage's five home games televised live on NBC Sports.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 2, 2003


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.

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