Wildcard Weekend Approaches
Published on May 22, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
Courtesy: NBC Press Release
NEW YORK - May 22, 2003 - The drive to ArenaBowl XVII kicks off with No. 5 Dallas hosting No. 12 Georgia at American Airlines Center on NBC, Saturday, May 24 at 3 p.m. ET. Dallas (10-6) is coming off a Central Division title-clinching victory while Georgia (8-8) is making its first ever playoff appearance. Tom Hammond (play-by-play), Pat Haden (analyst) and Marty Snider (reporter) will handle the broadcast.
The AFL Wild Card Round continues on Sunday with three regional games at 3 p.m. ET. No. 11 Las Vegas (8-8) comes in after losing four of their last six games as they travel to America West Arena to face No. 6 Arizona, who has won six of their last seven. Eli Gold (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analyst) and Lewis Johnson (reporter) will call the game. In the "Battle of Michigan," No. 10 Detroit (8-8) will travel to Van Andel Arena to face cross-state rival No. 7 Grand Rapids (8-8). Bill Weber (play-by-play), John Riggins (analyst) and Dave Burns (reporter) will cover the action. Rounding out the day, the tough defense of No. 9 Chicago (8-8) will visit the high-powered offense of No. 8 New York (8-8) at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mike Breen (play-by-play), Ray Bentley (analyst) and Marty Snider (reporter) on the game broadcast.
The AFL on NBC Studio Show, a TelePrompTer-free zone, hosted by Al Trautwig with analysts Michael Irvin and Glenn Parker, kicks off the day with a preview of the regional coverage, including live interviews from the venues. The weekly Studio Show features pre-game analysis and features, halftime game updates from around the league, as well as the latest NFL news, and post-game wrap interviews.
NIKE PREFONTAINE CLASSIC, SUNDAY, 1:30-3 PM ET
NBC provides next-day taped coverage of the Nike Prefontaine Classic this Sunday, May 25, from 1:30-3 p.m. ET. Three-time Olympian Dwight Stones will be in the booth with Dan O'Brien, the 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist in the decathlon and Steve Holman, America's top miler of the 1990s. Carol Lewis and Lewis Johnson will provide reports from the infield.
The field features Stacy Dragila, the 2000 Olympic gold medalist in the pole vault. Three-time Olympic gold medalist, Gail Devers headlines a women's 100m hurdles field that features eight of the top-ten hurdlers in the world.
The Nike Prefontaine Classic, named for the legendary Steve Prefontaine, America's greatest distance runner at the time of his death in 1975 at age 24, is the most prestigious invitational outdoor meet in the country. The meet, each spring since 1975 at the University of Oregon's historic Hayward Field in Eugene, features top international track and field athletes and boasts of standing-room-only crowds.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 22, 2003
- AFL Must-See Matchups - AFL I
- AFL Quick Hitters - AFL I
- AFL Launches ArenaBowl.com - AFL I
- All-Ironman Team Features Two Firebirds - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Wildcard Weekend Approaches - AFL I
- Rampage Begin Drive to ArenaBowl XVII this Sunday - Grand Rapids Rampage
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