Post by marinersmedia on Sept 18, 2009 14:47:10 GMT -5
Baltimore Indoor Football Team Hosting Open Workout on October 10th
BALTIMORE, MD (September 18, 2009) – The legendary Vince Papale fulfilled a lifelong dream when he made the Philadelphia Eagles’ roster following an open tryout despite having no college football experience. Disney later made him the subject of its movie Invincible, starring Mark Walhberg. The Baltimore Mariners have already found a Vince of their own, Vince Tiberi, who made the roster following an open workout, and could make another player’s dreams come true when they host an open tryout on Saturday, October 10th.
“Although we generally have experienced players on our roster, there is always that diamond in the rough that for one reason or another did not get an opportunity to play at the professional level or even complete a college career. A great example of this from 2009 is Vince Tiberi. Vince came to us at the age of 20 with no experience and ended up a starter for us due to injuries and never looked back,” noted Mariners General Manager Greg Justice.
The Mariners, who are members of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) and play their home games at 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, will host an open workout on Saturday, October 10th at the SoccerDome, located at 7330 Montevideo Road, Jessup, MD 20794. Registration begins at 8:00 AM, staff will conduct a series of player evaluations starting at 9:15, and a select group of players will be picked to take part in an elite workout at 11:30. For full details on the workout and a player application please visit www.baltimoremariners.com.
Along with relative newcomers like Tiberi, Justice also expects to see players with a variety of professional experience. The Mariners 2009 line-up was lined with players who had prior Arena Football League (AFL), Canadian Football League (CFL), and National Football League (NFL) experience, including Fearon Wright who played previously with the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL.
The Mariners GM notes that prior outdoor success does not equate to indoor football gain, “Last year we had 11 players from the NFL, CFL, and AFL on our roster; it does not always mean instant success. Most people think if an athlete played in the NFL, they will automatically become an excellent player in the indoor game. While players like Fearon Wright shined and excelled for us many others have come from the NFL and CFL and could not keep up with the speed and schemes of the game.”
In 2009 the Mariners compiled a 9-5 record and notched the team’s first playoff berth. Despite their success, Justice and the Mariners’ coaching staff are anxious to take the team to the next level and are looking for some players to help take them there. Justice explained, “At this point of the season we are always looking for additional talent to help the Mariners reach the goal of an AIFA championship. We have signed a good amount of the 2009 Mariner squad. However we are looking for all positions to battle for a starting position and fill a few holes.”
Experience or no experience, Justice is looking for a certain type of player, “Besides an athlete that is bigger, stronger, and faster; we need athletes of good character on and off the field. Athletes must accept the Mariner Way and be willing to sacrifice themselves for the good of the entire team and our mission to win an AIFA Championship.”
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.
BALTIMORE, MD (September 18, 2009) – The legendary Vince Papale fulfilled a lifelong dream when he made the Philadelphia Eagles’ roster following an open tryout despite having no college football experience. Disney later made him the subject of its movie Invincible, starring Mark Walhberg. The Baltimore Mariners have already found a Vince of their own, Vince Tiberi, who made the roster following an open workout, and could make another player’s dreams come true when they host an open tryout on Saturday, October 10th.
“Although we generally have experienced players on our roster, there is always that diamond in the rough that for one reason or another did not get an opportunity to play at the professional level or even complete a college career. A great example of this from 2009 is Vince Tiberi. Vince came to us at the age of 20 with no experience and ended up a starter for us due to injuries and never looked back,” noted Mariners General Manager Greg Justice.
The Mariners, who are members of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) and play their home games at 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, will host an open workout on Saturday, October 10th at the SoccerDome, located at 7330 Montevideo Road, Jessup, MD 20794. Registration begins at 8:00 AM, staff will conduct a series of player evaluations starting at 9:15, and a select group of players will be picked to take part in an elite workout at 11:30. For full details on the workout and a player application please visit www.baltimoremariners.com.
Along with relative newcomers like Tiberi, Justice also expects to see players with a variety of professional experience. The Mariners 2009 line-up was lined with players who had prior Arena Football League (AFL), Canadian Football League (CFL), and National Football League (NFL) experience, including Fearon Wright who played previously with the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL.
The Mariners GM notes that prior outdoor success does not equate to indoor football gain, “Last year we had 11 players from the NFL, CFL, and AFL on our roster; it does not always mean instant success. Most people think if an athlete played in the NFL, they will automatically become an excellent player in the indoor game. While players like Fearon Wright shined and excelled for us many others have come from the NFL and CFL and could not keep up with the speed and schemes of the game.”
In 2009 the Mariners compiled a 9-5 record and notched the team’s first playoff berth. Despite their success, Justice and the Mariners’ coaching staff are anxious to take the team to the next level and are looking for some players to help take them there. Justice explained, “At this point of the season we are always looking for additional talent to help the Mariners reach the goal of an AIFA championship. We have signed a good amount of the 2009 Mariner squad. However we are looking for all positions to battle for a starting position and fill a few holes.”
Experience or no experience, Justice is looking for a certain type of player, “Besides an athlete that is bigger, stronger, and faster; we need athletes of good character on and off the field. Athletes must accept the Mariner Way and be willing to sacrifice themselves for the good of the entire team and our mission to win an AIFA Championship.”
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.