Utah Valley Thunder Pepare for Camp with Final Open Try Outs
Published on February 14, 2009 under American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) News Release
Provo, Utah - February 13, 2009 - Football players from around the country descended on Lindon, Utah this week for a chance to go pro. The Utah Valley Thunder, held their final open try outs at the Timpanogos Indoor Soccer Facility on Friday morning. Head Coach Chad DeGrenier and his staff are looking for about 15 more players to make up the "Final Forty" that they'll take into camp next week as the team ramps up for their inaugural season.
The team already consists of 23 players, many with Utah ties and previous professional experience. The Thunder will open camp on February 23rd, with 40 players and by March 3rd , the final roster will be announced with a total of 30 players making the cut. The Thunder will play their home games at the McKay Events Center on the campus of Utah Valley University. Their first home game is scheduled for Thursday, March 19th and season tickets are on sale through SmithTix and the team's website, www.utahvalleythunder.com.
About Head Coach Chad DeGrenier and The Utah Valley Thunder:
Coach DeGrenier has spent the last decade playing professional indoor football and coaching at the High School level. He comes to Utah by way of Arizona where he played quarterback for the AZ Rattlers under former Utah Blaze Head Coach and AFL hall of famer, Danny White. Two years ago, DeGrenier was the signal caller for the AIFA's Arizona Adrenaline. With a wealth of knowledge and years of experience, the Thunder's head coach knows exactly what he's looking for when it comes to playing wall-to-wall football. It all comes down to quickness and what he refers to as "Indoor IQ".
"When you bring the game inside and put it on a field that is enclosed and half the size you're accustomed to, things start to happen at lightning speed", explains DeGrenier, "offensively, you need to get rid of the ball quickly and defensively, you can't react, you have to anticipate. In this game, being fast is important but THINKING fast is what really counts."
"We've got a good group with the 23 player we have signed so far and we're looking to add some depth and give a few new players a crack at playing professional football...It's gonna be a lot of fun and we're looking forward to entertaining the home crowd at the McKay Events Center, aka 'The ThunderDome'. It's definitely a show you won't want to miss".
The Utah Valley Thunder play in the Western Division of the American Indoor Football Association, (AIFA). The team is owned and operated by AFFLECK PRO SPORTS which was founded by Dave and Donnette Affleck of Utah County. Dave Affleck owns VUCCI Technology Solutions, formerly DSSI, a data storage company located in Provo, UT.
American Indoor Football Association Stories from February 14, 2009
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.
