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Rampage Square off with Firebirds

May 7, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - After successfully securing the team's fifth consecutive trip to the Arena Football League postseason, the Grand Rapids Rampage now turn their attention to the battle for the Central Division title. This Sunday, May 11, the Rampage host the slumping Indiana Firebirds as they look to move one step closer to their second division crown in three years. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Van Andel Arena.

Grand Rapids (8-6) is currently amid their first three-game losing streak since the 2000 season and look to rebound against a Firebirds' squad that is fighting for their playoff lives. Indiana (5-9) has lost nine of their last 11 games and is one of five teams battling for the final three playoff berths.

Grand Rapids is currently tied with the Dallas Desperados for the division lead with just two games remaining. The Rampage will host the Desperados in the 2003 regular season finale on Sunday, May 18 in a game that could decide the division winner.

A Rampage victory this weekend, coupled with a Dallas loss against the Georgia Force, would clinch their first Central Division title since their ArenaBowl winning season in 2001.

Sunday's festivities will include "Play for the Cure," which will honor local breast cancer survivors as part of the team's partnership with the local chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The foundation is a world leader in the fight against breast cancer through its support of research and community-based outreach programs.

Live radio coverage of Sunday's game can be heard beginning at 2:40 p.m. on WBBL 1340 AM. Veteran Rampage broadcasters Joe Parson and Tom Sullivan will handle the broadcast.

Tickets for Sunday's game are still available and can be purchased by contacting the Rampage office at (616) 559-1871 or Tickets PLUS at (616) 222-4000 or (800) 585-3737. Tickets are also available at The Zone, located on the west side of Van Andel Arena, all West Michigan Meijer locations, and on-line at www.ticketsplus.net and the Rampage Web site.

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: Arizona at Chicago and San Jose at Tampa Bay.

GAME PROMOTIONS

"Play for the Cure" Approximately 500 breast cancer survivors will be honored on the field prior to today's game as part of the Rampage's season-long partnership with the local chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a world-wide organization that works to raise awareness and funds in the fight against breast cancer. Representatives will be on hand to distribute information packets and pink ribbons.

Halftime Performance Halftime features the ever-popular Red Pandas! The Red Pandas have repeatedly performed their unicycle-riding balancing act for every team in the NBA, as well as several national television appearances. The two-person Red Panda team is one of the top-rated acts in all of sports entertainment!

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.

Tailgate & Postgame Party: Fans can tailgate two hours before the game across the street from Van Andel Arena at the Margarita Grill. After the game, fans can venture back over to the Margarita Grill to join Rampage players and coaches for the team's official postgame party.

RAMPAGE/FIREBIRDS QUICK FACTS

* Grand Rapids is 4-2 in home games this season.
* Grand Rapids leads the all-time series 3-2.
* The Rampage hold a 3-1 record in Central Division contests this season.
* Defensive Specialist Mark Ricks needs just one interception to break the franchise single-season record (Michael Baker, 5 - 1999).
* Rampage OS Terrill Shaw is within 128 yards and one TD of breaking the Rampage single season records in both categories (Thomas Bailey - 1,578 yards, 37 TDs - 1999)
* Shaw has also caught a TD pass in 13 consecutive games.
* Indiana has dropped nine of their last 11 games.
* The AFL has set a new regular-season attendance record this season with a total of 1,290,435 fans in 112 games, an average of 11,522 fans per game.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 7, 2003


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