Stamps And Lions Tangle Saturday

The Calgary Stampeders conclude the regular season on Saturday afternoon against the BC Lions at McMahon Stadium and have already assured themselves a first place finish in the CFL's West Division. The game is themed Fan Appreciation Day and Stamps fans will be saluted throughout the afternoon for their continued support of the Red and White.

Following the game, 42 lucky fans will be on the field for the Jersey Off Our Backs promotion. Each Stampeders player who participates in Saturday's game will give his autographed gameworn jersey to a randomly selected Stamps fan.

Calgary has top spot in the West Division locked up and will host either BC or Saskatchewan in the West Final on Nov. 15. The Lions currently are tied with Saskatchewan for second in the West and need to win or have Saskatchewan lose against Toronto on Thursday in order to host the West Semi-Final on Nov. 8.

The Stamps (12-5) have won three in a row and seven of their last eight games while the Lions (11-6) have won two straight and seven of their last eight. The teams face each other for the third time this season and the Stamps won both previous meetings. They won 28-18 at home in the season opener on June 26 and then 36-29 in Vancouver on Aug. 22.

Prior to the game, fans are encouraged to donate new or gently used jackets in support of the Sixth Annual Salvation Army Coat Drive. Volunteers will be positioned at each entrance gate to accept coats or cash donations for the cause. Stamps fans helped to contribute 1,300 jackets and $5,000 in cash last year, bringing the five-year total to 5,420 coats and over $8,500 raised.

Tickets are still available for this game and the West Final and fans are encouraged to call Ticketmaster at 403.777.0000 or go online to Ticketmaster.ca to get their tickets.

Gladiators Add Assistant Line Coach

CLEVELAND - Cleveland Gladiators Head Coach MIKE WILPOLT, who was named 2008 Arena Football League Coach of the Year, has added AFL veteran coach TONY FEDERICO to his staff for 2009, the team announced today. The club also announced that Line Coach LEE JOHNSON will also return for the 2009 season. Federico will serve as the Assistant Line Coach.

Federico comes to the Gladiators having spent the previous six seasons with the AFL's Colorado Crush, where he served as the head Strength and Conditioning coach since 2003. In 2007 and 2008, in addition to his strength and conditioning duties, he also held the post of Defensive Line coach with the Crush.

Federico has also spent time contributing his talents to the strength and conditioning programs of the University of New Mexico, Cleveland Browns, Stanford University, San Jose State University, and University of Southern California. He has served as a Strength Coach at Triple Crown Sports, where he has played a major role in developing an athletic performance center by marketing, writing, and implementing programs to clients of all age and skill levels.

Johnson spent the 2008 season as the Line Coach with the Gladiators. Under his guidance, the offensive line paved the way for fullback MARLION JACKSON to rush for a league-leading 356 yards and tied for the league lead with 23 rushing touchdowns.

Johnson has spent seven seasons in the AFL. He began his AFL coaching career in 2000 as defensive coordinator with the Carolina Cobras. He spent four seasons with the Colorado Crush before joining the Austin Wranglers for the 2007 season.

The Cleveland Gladiators are set to embark on their second season in Cleveland in 2009. Season and group tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Gladiators at 216.685.9000. Get ready to rock The Q and Roll With the Gladiators!

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Tony Federico

Assistant Line Coach

Tony Federico enters his first season with the Cleveland Gladiators and seventh in the Arena Football League. Federico will serve as the Assistant Line Coach, responsible for working with both the offensive and defensive lines. He will also assist with the strength and conditioning of the team.

Prior to coming to Cleveland, Federico served as the Strength and Conditioning Coach with the AFL's Colorado Crush since 2003. During the 2007 and '08 seasons, he also served as the Defensive Line Coach for the Crush.

Throughout his career, Federico has held leadership positions in strength and conditioning at several prominent institutions. Most notably, Federico was the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Colorado State University, where he oversaw the design and administration of the weight and conditioning programs for all CSU varsity athletes and worked with the school's head trainer in the rehabilitation of injured players.

Federico has also spent time contributing his talents to the strength and conditioning programs of the University of New Mexico, Cleveland Browns, Stanford University, San Jose State University, and University of Southern California. He has served as a Strength Coach at Triple Crown Sports, where he has played a major role in developing an athletic performance center by marketing, writing, and implementing programs to clients of all age and skill levels.

Federico earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from the University of Colorado and a master's degree in physical education from USC. He is also a certified instructor of Krav Maga, an Israeli self-defense method.

A 1978 graduate of Northglenn High School in Northglenn, Colo., Federico was named first team All-State as a prep running back, earning a scholarship to the University of Colorado before transferring to Fort Hayes State.

Federico and his wife, Erin, have three sons - Tony, Johnny, and Jeremy.

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LEE JOHNSON

Line Coach

Lee Johnson enters his second season as line coach with the Cleveland Gladiators and eighth in Arena Football. In 2008, Johnson's offensive line paved the way for fullback Marlion Jackson to rush for a league-leading 356 yards and tied for the league lead with 23 rushing touchdowns.

Prior to coming to Cleveland, Johnson spent the 2007 season as the defensive coordinator of the Austin Wranglers, where he worked under current Gladiators offensive coordinator and Wranglers head coach Brian Partlow.

Before Austin, Johnson spent four seasons with the Colorado Crush, serving as defensive coordinator in 2003 and as the special teams and defensive line coach from 2004 through 2006 under Head Coach Mike Dailey.

He began his AFL coaching career in 2000 as the defensive coordinator for the Carolina Cobras.

Before joining the Crush, Johnson served as an intern with the Denver Broncos in 2002 under then defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes and defensive line coach Jacob Burney. He spent the 2001-2002 seasons with the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe as the defensive line coach, helping guide the team to two World Bowl titles. Johnson began his coaching career as the defensive line coach for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League in 1997 and was promoted to defensive coordinator the following season.

Prior to coaching, Johnson was a standout linebacker and defensive end at the University of Missouri, where he earned All-Big Eight honors in 1988. He was a member of the Washington Redskins in 1990, when the team won Super Bowl XXV. He also played in the World League of American Football, which became NFL Europe before folding prior to the 2006 season. Johnson finished his career in the AFL, playing three seasons with the Tampa Bay Storm and Charlotte Rage, including an ArenaBowl championship with the Storm in 1993. He also played in Des Moines, Iowa in 1993.

A native of St. Louis, Johnson says his father, a disabled veteran and former boxer whom he calls "Champ," has been the biggest influence on his life. Johnson's younger brother, Mario, played defensive line on the same team at Missouri and went on to play with the New York Jets, New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns. Johnson is married and resides in Winder, Georgia.

New York Dragons dancer Gina turns MTV MADE coach

Uniondale, N.Y. - New York Dragons Dance Team Captain Gina Capelli put her dancing background to the ultimate test this past summer, when she took on the role as an MTV MADE coach on the music network's Emmy award winning series. Gina's MADE episode entitled "MADE: Streamer" will air this Saturday, November 1 at 3pm on MTV.

In the episode, viewers will watch as nerdy Harry-Potter fanatic and native Long Islander Jamie Fitzgerald , who was fed up with being a sheltered book worm with no friends, was MADE into a confident, high kicking, pom pom shaking, social butterfly by becoming a member of her school's dance team "the Streamers" through the help of her MADE coach Gina Capelli and Phyllis Montalvo, the Dragons' Dance Team choreographer.

Gina has been a member of the New York Dragons Dance Team for four seasons and Captain for three. She was an animated dancer for EA Sport's Playstation 2 Arena Football game "Road to Glory". At the end of her 2007 season, she was voted on by Dragon fans to attend Arena Bowl XXI, where she performed for the AFL Dream Team. She has an Associate's Degree in Dance and is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, and gymnastics.

"Working with Jamie was great, I am so proud of what she accomplished," Gina said. "I watched her blossom over the course of our six weeks together and maybe one day she'll be able to join me as a dancer with the New York Dragons!"

"MADE" (http://made.mtv.com) chronicles the challenges and accomplishments that young people face as they attempt a life-changing transformation. To assist on their journey in accomplishing their "makeover", MTV (http://www.mtv.com) provides a coach who doubles as a mentor.

Check out what happens to the young people featured on episodes of "MADE" in LIFE AFTER MADE, as well as view full episodes on made.mtv.com. And just as the show inspires the on-air participants to achieve their goals, fans can launch their own personal development journeys at WannaBeMade.com (http://wannabemade.com), MTV's online community that connects viewers who "wanna be made" with coaches that offer tips and techniques to inspire success. Every journey is chronicled on the viewers' profile page including blog entries and personal progress ratings.

"MADE" (http://made.mtv.com) was created and is executive produced by Bob Kusbit and Francis Lyons for One Louder Productions. Dave Sirulnick, Tony DiBari are executive producers for MTV.

Blue Bombers Offer Fund-Raising Opportunity To Local Groups

WINNIPEG, MB -The Winnipeg Football Club is offering an opportunity for groups aged 14-and-over to have a chance to fundraise for the last two home games of 2008.

The Blue Bombers are looking to recruit teams to potentially be involved with snow removal inside Canad Inns Stadium. The upcoming two home contests are scheduled for November 1, and the CFL East Semi-Final on November 8, 2008.

Because of the unpredictable nature of the weather in Winnipeg, there is a chance of snowfall prior to either of the two remaining games. This is why the football club is extending the opportunity to organizations who are interested in raising money.

The donations will be structured as $8.50 per hour, per person. The football club will distribute shovels upon arrival.

This opportunity is dependent on the weather conditions over the next two weeks. If snowfall occurs prior to the Nov. 1 regular season finale or Nov. 8 CFL East Semi-Final, crews would be required at 6 a.m. that morning.

Organizations interested in using this potential opportunity for fundraising purposes can contact Kevin Austin at 204-784-7417 or kaustin@bluebombers.com

Reading Express Announces Second Open Combine Try-Out

The Reading Express and Grand Slam Sports Complex have announced today that the next Open Try-Out for The Express will be Saturday Night November 29th.

Kicker Registration - 7:15 PM

Combine Player Registration - 7:30-8:30 PM

Kickers on the field from 7:30-8:30 - time may be reduced depending on kicker turn out

Combine Players on the field at 8:30 PM - 11 PM

The fee for Kickers is $40 and the fee for the Combine Players is $50. There is NO fee if you attended the first try-out in October.

Please check out our website for further details or call the Express Office at 610-372-7277 or e-mail Head Coach/General Manager Bernie Nowotarski at bnowotarski@expressindoorfootball.com

Stamps, Salvation Army Hold Coat Drive

The Calgary Stampeders are asking fans to help Calgarians in need at the regular-season finale Nov. 1, against the B.C. Lions.

The Calgary Stampeders will team up with the Salvation Army for the sixth annual coat drive to help collect new or gently used coats or cash donations prior to kickoff of Saturday's game. Salvation Army volunteers will be at each entrance gate of McMahon Stadium to collect the donations.

"This is something that helps us give back and reminds you that there are a lot of people in need in Calgary," said Jeremaine Copeland, Stampeders receiver. "I love it. I look forward to working with the Salvation Army on this drive every year."

In 2007, the Calgary Stampeders and their fans were able to collect 1,300 jackets and $5,000 in cash, bringing the five-year total to 5,420 coats and over $8,500 raised. The coats will be distributed to those in need on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Salvation Army Centre of Hope - 420 9 Ave. S.E.

The next Stampeders home game is Saturday, Nov. 1 against the B.C. Lions. Kickoff is 3 p.m. and fans are encouraged to get their tickets through Ticketmaster at 403.777.0000 or by visiting Ticketmaster.ca.

Desperados To Hold Open Tryouts For 2009 Team

In a continuing effort to upgrade their talent level, the Dallas Desperados Arena Football team will hold open tryouts on Saturday, November 1st at Texas Stadium. Attending the Open Tryout will also be representatives from other Arena Football Organizations interested in adding talent to their football teams.

Registration for the November 1st open tryouts is broken down by position. Quarterbacks, wide receivers and defensive backs will begin registering at 7:00 a.m. with workouts starting at 8:00 a.m. Offensive and defensive linemen, fullbacks and linebackers will register at 9:00 a.m. and test at 12:00 p.m., while kickers register at 2:00 p.m. All players will be evaluated in the 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle and standing broad jump. Selected players who exceed the Desperados testing standards will be invited to participate in an elite workout later in the day, where players will be evaluated in drills specific to the game of Arena Football.

The Desperados have signed several players through the open tryout forum in the past. Last year two players were invited to training camp, Brett Rayl and Andre Burns. After impressing coaches during the 2006 tryouts, Anthony Armstrong played for the Desperados for the past two seasons. Armstrong is currently playing for the Miami Dolphins on their practice squad. In 2004, defensive specialist Michael Hawkins played in five games for the Desperados after working out for the team in a similar fashion. Hawkins was later drafted in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.

For more information on the Dallas Desperados, visit the team's official website www.dallasdesperados.com.

REGISTRATION:

Participants may register on site the morning of open tryout for a registration fee of $85. All registered participants will receive two platinum level seats to the Desperados home opener ($37 value per ticket) and an official Desperados Tryout t-shirt.

REQUIREMENTS:

All participants will need to provide their own attire for the non-padded workouts. Participants will be given a numbered shirt to wear during testing, but must provide their own shoes (grass cleats or turf shoes - no track spikes allowed), shorts or tights and accessories. Workouts will take place on Texas Stadium's Realgrass™ Synthetic Playing Surface. Desperados are not responsible for travel or lodging expenses.

WHERE:

Texas Stadium - On the Field

2401 E. Airport Freeway, Irving, Texas 75062

WHEN:

SATURDAY, November 1st (Tryout times are broken down by position)

Positions Registration Time Workout Time

QB, WR, DB 7:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m.

OL, DL, FB, LB 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.

K 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. (approx.)