VooDoo Announce Free, Open Scrimmage Date Versus Dallas Vigilantes
Published on February 8, 2011 under Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS (February 8, 2011) - The New Orleans VooDoo will kickoff it's resurrection season with a completely free, open-to-public controlled scrimmage versus the Dallas Vigilantes on Friday, February 25 at 7 p.m. in the Graveyard. Season ticket holders will be able to pick up their season tickets, concessions will be open and VooDoo merchandise will be available for purchase throughout the New Orleans Arena.
The scrimmage will also be the first opportunity for suite holders to use their suite for the 2011 season. The contest will also serve as an "Arena Football 101" session for all fans. VooDoo General Manager Jon Norris will emcee the exhibition by giving a play-by-play description of all live action on the field for fans in-house to become reacquainted with the AFL style of play.
"It has been a long time, too long for New Orleans to have been without arena football," said Norris, a former player and coach in the AFL with 17 years of total experience in the league.
"I remember playing against the New Orleans Night and coaching against the New Orleans VooDoo prior to 2008, and it was easily the most intimidating place for an opposing team to walk into. With the team's resurrection this season, we are very confident that the same type of atmosphere will be present."
After the scrimmage, all in attendance will be welcomed onto the field for an autograph and picture session with all players, coaches, VooDoo Dolls, and team mascots: Mojo and Bones. By AFL rule, all players and coaches must be on the field for 30 minutes after the team's meet in the locker room post game.
"This will be a good opportunity for the community and fans to not only see the team take the field, but also a great chance to meet the team. At that time, we will have passed the first cut date, and will have the roster almost secure for the season opener," said head football coach Derek Stingley.
"I'm excited to be here and to have this opportunity to coach the New Orleans VooDoo. We plan to have a strong, competitive team this season, and with all of the local players we have signed, it is a no-brainer to support and to get behind us," added Stingley.
Fun facts about the VooDoo's return:
When the VooDoo take the field against the Tampa Bay Storm on Friday, March 11 for the regular season opener, a total of 993 days (2 years, 8 months, and 18 days) will have taken place since the last time the New Orleans VooDoo played a game, which was on June 21, 2008.
A total of 85,795,200 seconds, 1,429,920 minutes and 23,832 hours will have taken place, translating to approximately 141 weeks, since the VooDoo lost to Grand Rapids in the 2008 season finale.
The VooDoo 35-man training camp roster features 20 players from Louisiana. The 20 players are:
Pos. Player College/High School/Hometown
FB/LB Lance Ancar North Alabama/Archbishop Shaw High School/Harvey, La.
DB Darrick Brown McNeese State/Kentwood High School/Kentwood, La.
DB Marcus Brown McNeese State/Kentwood High School/Kentwood, La.
DB Roland Cola Houston/John Ehret High School/New Orleans, La.
WR Hutch Gonzales Southeastern La./Covington High School/Covington, La.
DB John Green Southern Miss/St. Augustine High School/New Orleans, La.
WR Carlese Franklin McNeese State/Kentwood High School/Kentwood, La.
DL Vaalyn Jackson McNeese State/Sulphur High School/Sulphur, La.
OL Brandon Jordan Missouri S&T/Archbishop Shaw High School/
WR Derrick Lewis San Diego State/Joseph S. Clark High School/New Orleans, La.
OL/DL Darren Marquez Southern Illinois/St. Augustine High School/New Orleans, La.
WR Chris Mitchell Louisiana State/John Ehret High School/Marrero, La.
WR Kris Peters Alcorn State/Southern Lab/Baton Rouge, La.
QB Lester Ricard Tulane/Amite High School/Denham Springs, La.
K Jonathan Ruffin Cincinnati/Riverdale High School/Metairie, La.
FB/LB Jason Schule Louisiana-Monroe/Archbishop Hannan High School/Chalmette, La.
OL/DL Revay Smith Grambling State/Catholic High School/Port Allen, La.
OL/DL Carnell Stewart Louisiana State/John Curtis Christian High School/River Ridge, La.
QB Danny Wimprine Memphis/John Curtis High School/River Ridge, La.
DB Jerron Wishom Louisiana Tech/Lutcher High School/Lutcher, La.
The complete 35-man roster can be accessed by clicking here.
There are four former teammates who played together at McNeese State that will be reunited: Darrick Brown, Marcus Brown, Carlese Franklin and Vaalyn Jackson.
There are three former Kentwood High School (Kentwood, La.) teammates that will be reunited: Darrick Brown, Marcus Brown and Carlese Franklin. All three helped guide the Kangaroos to their last state championship appearance in 2003 with Marcus being crowned the game's MVP in a loss to Vermillion Catholic.
A total of three former Southeastern La. Lions are on the team: Hutch Gonzales, Brian Reynolds and Chris Wilson.
Louisiana Tech (Moqut Ruffins and Jerron Wishom), Louisiana State (Chris Mitchell and Carnell Stewart), Albany State (James Harris and Alvin Jackson) and Southern Miss (John Green and Eric Scott) each have two players on the training camp roster.
Only three players: Derrick Lewis, Jonathan Ruffin and Danny Wimprine were on the New Orleans VooDoo's 2008 roster.
Arena Football League Stories from February 8, 2011
- Blaze Add Defensive Lineman TJ Raymond - Utah Blaze
- Barnstormers Re-Sign Pete Traynor - Iowa Barnstormers
- VooDoo Announce Free, Open Scrimmage Date Versus Dallas Vigilantes - New Orleans VooDoo
- Philadelphia Soul Speak with Duce Staley - Philadelphia Soul
- Barnstormers Individual Game Tickets on Sale Feburary 28 - Iowa Barnstormers
- Sharks Trade for Defensive Back - Jacksonville Sharks
- Soul Squad Open Tryouts to be Held Sunday, March 6 - Philadelphia Soul
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