Rush Signs Hohensee to Contract Extension
August 1, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
August 1, 2002 â After guiding the Chicago Rush to a 2002 Central Division title and the third seed in the Arena Football League playoffs, head coach Mike Hohensee today agreed to a two-year contract extension that will keep him in Chicago through the 2005 season.
"Mike has done a great job creating a winning football program in our first two seasons," said Alan Levin, co-owner of the Rush. "He started our program from scratch and has successfully built a team that reached the playoffs in our inaugural 2001 season and is set to compete for an ArenaBowl championship this year.
"On behalf of the Rush ownership and management, we are delighted that Mike will remain in the Rush family. We expect continued success under his leadership."
"My family and I are excited to know we will be staying in Chicago," said Hohensee. "The Rush organization has been very supportive and generous to us during the past two years. I believe we have something special here and I look forward to working with this group of players as we continue to put a team on the field that will make Chicago proud."
Hohensee is regarded as one of the best coaches in the league and is among a select group of individuals who have been involved with the 16-year-old Arena Football League since its inception. He spent two seasons as a player, throwing the first touchdown pass in league history in 1987, before moving to the sidelines as an assistant coach in 1989. In his nine seasons as a head coach, Hohensee has compiled a 60-56 regular season record and is just the sixth head coach in AFL history to win 60 career regular season games.
This year the Rush finished the regular season with a 9-5 record, a Central Division title and a bye in the first-round of the AFL playoffs.
Under Hohensee's guidance, the 2001 expansion Rush went 7-7 and earned a playoff berth. During the postseason, the Rush defeated the defending champion Orlando Predators before falling to the eventual Arena Bowl champion Grand Rapids Rampage in the quarterfinals.
The Rush will host an AFL quarterfinal playoff game against the Dallas Desperados Monday, August 5, at Allstate Arena. Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Fans wishing to purchase tickets to the game may order by calling Ticketmaster at (312) 559-1212 or by visiting the Ticketmaster Web site at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets also may be purchased in person at any Ticketmaster outlet or the Allstate Arena box office.
Fans interested in purchasing group tickets may contact the Rush ticket office at (877) Rush-Tix (787-4849), or visit www.chicagorush.com.
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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.
