Post by Gene on Mar 2, 2007 8:09:11 GMT -5
Reading’s indoor football team travels 1,029 miles to play in Florida Saturday night. 
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Berks County, PA - There’s nothing like an 18-hour bus trip to bring a football team together.
The Reading Express, which already prides itself on being a close-knit team, is getting to know each other a lot better on the longest trip in the franchise’s two-year history.
The Express is making a 1,029-mile, 18-hour trip from Reading to Tallahassee, Fla., to play the Tallahassee Titans Saturday night at 7 in an American Indoor Football Association game.
The Express left late Thursday night in a Lifestyle Limousine bus and doesn’t expect to reach Tallahassee until sometime late this afternoon.
“I think it’s a real good opportunity for guys to bond,” said Express general manager Bernie Nowotarski. “Bus trips are good things. You get to see guys in different personalities than on the field.”
It will be an especially good chance for center Scott Blum and running back Terrel Watkins, the newest starters on the team, to get acquainted with their teammates.
Blum started his first game at center Sunday in the Express’ 46-38 win over the Erie Freeze. Blum, 23, who joined the Express late in training camp, is the youngest player on the team.
“It feels good to come into a family situation that we have here,” Blum said. “Driving 18 or 19 hours could be hard on the body and mind. But I’m sure when we get down there we’re all going to be ready to play.”
The Express (2-0) is perfect in eight road games, including a win at Pittsburgh to open the season. But the longest trip was a 10-hour ride to Huntington, W. Va., last year that was slowed by severe storms in the mountains.
Later this season, the Express will make a 12-hour trip to Danville, Ill.
At least this time there could be a payoff after the long haul, Watkins hopes.
“It’s pretty good to get away from the cold weather we have up here and get down there and see some of the tropical trees,” Watkins said. “Maybe we’ll be able to step outside and smell the fresh tropical air for a few hours.”
But not for long. After Saturday’s game, Nowotarski said the players will shower and get right on the bus to return to Reading so the players can get to work Monday.
“It will be an interesting trip,” Nowotarski said. “I do think it’s a good time for the coaches and players to bond. It’s part of what minor league sports is all about.”
•Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Berks County, PA - There’s nothing like an 18-hour bus trip to bring a football team together.
The Reading Express, which already prides itself on being a close-knit team, is getting to know each other a lot better on the longest trip in the franchise’s two-year history.
The Express is making a 1,029-mile, 18-hour trip from Reading to Tallahassee, Fla., to play the Tallahassee Titans Saturday night at 7 in an American Indoor Football Association game.
The Express left late Thursday night in a Lifestyle Limousine bus and doesn’t expect to reach Tallahassee until sometime late this afternoon.
“I think it’s a real good opportunity for guys to bond,” said Express general manager Bernie Nowotarski. “Bus trips are good things. You get to see guys in different personalities than on the field.”
It will be an especially good chance for center Scott Blum and running back Terrel Watkins, the newest starters on the team, to get acquainted with their teammates.
Blum started his first game at center Sunday in the Express’ 46-38 win over the Erie Freeze. Blum, 23, who joined the Express late in training camp, is the youngest player on the team.
“It feels good to come into a family situation that we have here,” Blum said. “Driving 18 or 19 hours could be hard on the body and mind. But I’m sure when we get down there we’re all going to be ready to play.”
The Express (2-0) is perfect in eight road games, including a win at Pittsburgh to open the season. But the longest trip was a 10-hour ride to Huntington, W. Va., last year that was slowed by severe storms in the mountains.
Later this season, the Express will make a 12-hour trip to Danville, Ill.
At least this time there could be a payoff after the long haul, Watkins hopes.
“It’s pretty good to get away from the cold weather we have up here and get down there and see some of the tropical trees,” Watkins said. “Maybe we’ll be able to step outside and smell the fresh tropical air for a few hours.”
But not for long. After Saturday’s game, Nowotarski said the players will shower and get right on the bus to return to Reading so the players can get to work Monday.
“It will be an interesting trip,” Nowotarski said. “I do think it’s a good time for the coaches and players to bond. It’s part of what minor league sports is all about.”
•Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
