Riptide Announce 2004 Schedule
Published on February 21, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release
The Riptide's quest to bring the Arena Cup to San Diego will kick off Apr. 3, 2004 against the Arkansas Twisters in Little Rock.
The game will also mark the debut of new Riptide head coach Mouse Davis. "We're looking forward to getting going," said Davis. "There is a lot of talent on this team, and with a few additions, we're going to be a force in the af2 this year."
San Diego will play its home opener on Apr. 9 against the Green Bay Blizzard with kick-off coming at 7 p.m. The Riptide split two games with the Blizzard last season, including a 31-28 victory at the Sports Arena.
The rest of the schedule will feature two home games and two away games against each of their three West Division rivals â The Bakersfield Blitz, the Hawaiian Islanders and the Central Valley Coyotes, led by former Riptide head coach Cree Morris - beginning with a trip to Bakersfield on Apr. 17. In addition to the 12 intra-division match-ups, the Riptide will also play a home game against the two-time af2 champion Quad City Steamwheelers and travel to Green Bay to take on the Blizzard
The complete Riptide schedule is as follows:
Sat April 3 @ Arkansas 5:30pm
Fri April 9 Green Bay 7:00pm
Sat April 17 @ Bakersfield 7:00pm
Fri April 23 Fresno 7:00pm
Sat May 8 Hawaii 7:00pm
Sat May 15 @ Bakersfield 7:00pm
Sat May 22 Quad City 7:00pm
Fri May 28 @ Hawaii 9:30pm
Sat June 5 @ Fresno 7:00pm
Sat June 19 @ Hawaii 9:30pm
Sat June 26 Bakersfield 7:00pm
Sat July 3 Hawaii 7:00pm
Sat July 10 @ Fresno 7:00pm
Sat July 17 @ Green Bay 5:30pm
Sat July 24 Bakersfield 7:00pm
Fri July 30 Fresno 7:00pm
All times Pacific
Riptide Ticket and Corporate Sponsorship Info
Catch all the exciting Riptide action in 2004 with a Riptide season ticket package! Season and group tickets are on sale now at the Riptide box offices at the Sports Arena or by calling (866) RIPTIDE. Season packages for all eight home games start as low as just $96 for terrace level seats, or you can catch all the action from the front row for just $400!
All Riptide season ticket holders will receive special invitations to Riptide events as well as 10 percent off all Riptide merchandise. Purchase of two season tickets at any level earns you your choice of an autograph Riptide football (get it autographed after a game!)or two t-shirts and purchase of two front row seats or four loge seats will get you free parking at the Sports Arena for all eight games!
And a reminder to all current Riptide season ticket holders, complete payment for your 2004 season tickets is due no later than March 1 in order to assure you keep the same great seats that you had last year.
Individual game tickets for all home games will go on sale Wednesday, Feb. 25 with game promotions to be announced soon.
The Riptide are also excited to feature many great corporate sponsorship opportunities this season. To become a San Diego Riptide corporate partner, contact Joey Kirichkow (tickets@sandiegoriptide.com) or Alan Friedman (afriedman@sandiegoarena.com) or call the Riptide offices at (619) 224-4625.
âTide Trivia
Which Riptide star ranks second all-time in tackles in San Diego State Aztecs history? (answer at the bottom)
Riptide Dance Team to Hold Tryouts this Morning
The 2004 San Diego Riptide Dance Team tryouts are slated for Saturday, February, 21st at the PureFitness Bonita Athletic Club located at 690 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Check in starts at 11:00 am and the audition promptly begins at Noon.
The San Diego Riptide Dance Team is a 12-member squad that is an integral part of the team throughout the Arena football season running from April through August. Apart from performing at all eight home games at the San Diego Sports Arena, the Riptide Dance Team also plays key roles in promotional and charitable functions throughout the San Diego community.
For more information, please contact Johanna Blevins at sdriptidecheer@yahoo.com.
Mouse Davis Takes the Helm
There's certainly going to be a lot of changes when the Riptide's training camp gets underway on Mar. 17. Not the least of which will be the addition of new head coach Mouse Davis.
The San Diego Riptide announced the hiring of offensive innovator Darrel "Mouse" Davis as their new head coach last month, replacing Cree Morris to become the second head coach in team history.
Davis will look to turn around a Riptide team that finished a disappointing 6-10 in 2003, last in the National West Division.
One thing fans can count on with Davis at the helm is plenty of offense. The former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator is credited with helping develop the "Run âN Shoot" offense as well as the "West Coast" offense, now employed by many NFL teams.
Davis is also credited as an innovator in Arena football. He served as the league's director of football operations from 1986-1988 and is responsible for many of the integral changes that helped develop the league's exciting offensive style.
Whereas most Arena League offenses were using four linemen and two running backs, Davis instead installed a three-receiver set with only three linemen and one running back. The heightened offense lit up the scoreboards and drew big crowds, helping establish the Arena Football League's identity.
In addition to his stint as offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, Davis has served as head coach at Portland State University (NCAA) where his teams led the nation in total offense six times. His coaching duties also included stints with the Toronto Argonauts (Canadian Football League) and Denver Gold (United States Football League). Davis then returned to Arena football in 1999, serving as head coach of the AFL's Detroit Fury, through the 2002 season.
Riptide in the Community
Training camp has yet to begin, but that hasn't stopped the Riptide from making their presence felt in the community. Many Riptide players and dancers, as well as new head coach Mouse Davis, will be appearing at various up-coming community events. Here's a quick run-down of where you'll be able to catch the Riptide outside the arena.
February 23: Mouse Davis to Judge Hooters' Bikini Contest
San Diego sure knows how to welcome new arrivals. The Riptide's new head coach, Mouse Davis, will be helping to judge the preliminary round of the Hooter's Bikini Contest, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Pacific Beach Hooters. Davis will join several other local celebrities, including several San Diego Gulls' players, to judge the first round of this four-round competition. The finals will take place at the Sports Arena during the Gulls' game on March 13.
March 17: San Diego Riptide Meet-and-Greet on the USS John C. Stennis
Several Riptide players and dancers, along with their mascot, Ripper, will be appearing at a meet-and-greet with sailors aboard the USS John C. Stennis on Mar. 17 from 11 a.m. to noon. Players and dancers will be talking with the sailors, signing autographs, and promoting their upcoming home opener on Apr. 9.
March 27: Players to Appear at MCCS Carnival
Riptide players and dancers will be appearing at the Marine Corps Community Services Children's Spring Carnival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Players will be participating in interactive games, signing autographs and talking football with the families of active servicemen, while the Riptide dance team will hold a cheer clinic for children. The event will be held at the MCAS Miramar Youth Sports Complex.
Riptide Roll Out 2004 Intern Program
The San Diego Riptide are currently accepting applications for various front office and game day internship positions. The Riptide offer a variety of internships during the season and off-season. Positions are competitive and are an excellent way to gain practical experience in the sports industry.
The Riptide internship program is a fantastic opportunity for both students and graduates to get a start in the exciting sport of arena football. Interns will have an opportunity to work closely with members of the Riptide management, staff, players and dance team as well as the media and community, while gaining invaluable experience in the sports industry.
For more information on specific internship opportunities, please visit www.sandiegoriptide.com or call the Riptide offices at (619)224-4625.
Trivia Answer
Rico Curtis. The Riptide linebacker, who was red-shirted in 1995, went on to finish second in school history with 355 career tackles while at SDSU. He was named the team's MVP his senior year.
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