Orlando Mayor, Predators To Announce Tuesday City Will Host ArenaBowl XXVI

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orlando Predators Managing Partner Brett Bouchy reportedly have some big news for Orlando sports fans.
Officials reportedly plan to announce at a news conference at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday that the city has agreed to host ArenaBowl XXVI — the Arena Football League’s 2013 championship game — at the Amway Center on Aug. 17, Bouchy told the Orlando Sentinel.
This is a one-year agreement between the city and the AFL, and the game will be televised on CBS — the first time a broadcast network will air the ArenaBowl since 2008, the Sentinel reports.
Orlando will be the sixth neutral-site ArenaBowl since 2005, but the City Beautiful has previously hosted non neutral-site games in 1992, 1994 and 2000, according to the Sentinel.
Las Vegas and New Orleans have previously hosted the ArenaBowl and USA Today reports ArenaBowl XXII brought about $15 million to $25 million in revenue to New Orleans.

Orlando Predators Guarantee Winning

As an organization, the Orlando Predators have decided, "losing is unacceptable." For the first time in professional sports history, our team is making a guarantee to our season ticket holders that we will produce a winning season. However, what makes the guarantee so unique is the fact that it is not a one year deal. We are changing the way we do business starting in 2013 and will continue to do so for all subsequent seasons.
Playing an 18 game schedule, 10 wins will guarantee a winning season. This will be known as the Predators Performance Guarantee, or "PPG." If the Predators fail to win at least 10 games in each season, we will give our season ticket holders a purchase credit, which could possibly award a full 100% reimbursement, towards future season tickets. For further details on the PPG, log on to orlandopredators.com.
"Professional sports teams should be held accountable to a minimum standard of on-field performance. Our goal is to revolutionize the sports business industry by making this the new standard. As consumers, we demand a certain amount of service and/or quality in every purchase, why should the sports industry be any different?" - Brett Bouchy, Managing Partner Orlando Predators.
Orlando's Arena Football franchise since 1991, the Orlando Predators are heading into their 22nd year in the AFL. In that time, the Predators have advanced to the AFL playoffs a league leading 19 times and advanced to the ArenaBowl seven times winning the championship in 1998 and 2000.

Member Of Predators Ownership Gives Back To Florida Amateur Athletics

A multi-purpose facility proposed for Tampa's Westshore Business District is slated to be a center for indoor amateur athletics.
Bob Gries, a former owner of the Tampa Bay Storm and a current member of the Orlando Predators ownership group, has agreed to raise $20 million and to donate a portion of the amount.
The facility has an expected development budget of $20 million to $25 million and annual operating deficit of $200,000 to $250,000.
It will be a community asset that will attract tournament activity and generate hotel room nights, Susan Sieger, president of Crossroads Consulting Services LLC, said at a Hillsborough County Hotel and Motel Association meeting on Thursday.
Crossroads, based in Tampa, led an assessment of the proposed facility.
It is expected to feature 16 volleyball courts or 12 basketball courts and a parking lot with an estimated 1,000 spaces.
This will take 15 to 20 acres to accomplish.
The search for a site is under way.
In a down economy, sports tourism continued to provide a source of hotel room nights, Tampa Bay Business Journal reported in 2010.
While families might have hesitated to spend money on a vacation, they continued to travel for children’s tournaments and other sports activity, TBBJ reported.
Parents still want to do things with their kids, Sieger said, and the facility will help attract this audience.
The Westshore business district has a large number of hotel rooms and easy access to shopping, restaurants and amenities.
“If you look at this district and everything that’s nearby it’s a great package,” Sieger said.

Orlando Predators Name Doug Plank New Head Coach

The Orlando Predators today announced the hiring of two-time Arena Football League Coach of the Year Doug Plank as the team's new head coach and President of Football Operations.
In his first five years as an AFL head coach, Plank has won more games to start his career than any previous coach in AFL history (64-29). He has made two ArenaBowl trips, including leading the American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul to ArenaBowl XXV in 2012. He was also named AFL's Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2007 when he was with the Georgia Force.
"We are thrilled to have Doug Plank join the Orlando Predators organization," said Predators Managing Partner Brett Bouchy. "With Doug's work ethic and passion for the sport of football, I am confident that he can bring the Predators back to our winning tradition and bring an ArenaBowl title home to Orlando."
In addition, the team announced that AFL Hall of Fame Coach Tim Marcum will join the Predators as the team's Associate Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator, marking his 25th year overall coaching in the AFL.
Plank began his coaching career in 2001 as the Arizona Rattlers' defensive coordinator for three seasons, under which the Rattlers made it to three consecutive ArenaBowls. He was hired as head coach of the Georgia Force in 2004, where he led the team to ArenaBowl XIX during his first year with the team, as well as three playoff appearances.
A native of Greensburg, PA, Plank spent eight years as a safety for the NFL's Chicago Bears, where he was the team's first rookie to lead the team in tackles. He was drafted out of Ohio State, where he made three consecutive Rose Bowl appearances under Coach Woody Hayes.
Marcum has been an AFL fixture since the league's inception in 1987, holding a 211-99 career coaching mark, coupled with seven ArenaBowl Championships in the 10 times his teams reached the big game.
"We couldn't be more pleased to welcome Tim to the team," said Bouchy. "He is a legendary coach, and we are confident that he and Doug are going to do great things in Orlando."
Marcum's most recent AFL tour of duty took place in Tampa Bay, where he served as the Storm's head coach from 1995 to 2010. With the Storm, Marcum had a 140-77 regular season record and a 16-10 postseason mark over 15 seasons, winning five of the seven ArenaBowls that he coached in during that span.
His prior stops before settling in with the Storm include stints with the Detriot Drive from 1988 to 1993 and the Denver Dynamite in the League's inaugural 1987 season.
The Snyder, Texas native is a two-time AFL Coach of the Year recipient, winning the award in 1987 and 1998. In 1998, he was also inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame and still stands as the only coach in the League's history to lead three different franchises to ArenaBowl appearances.
Orlando's Arena Football League franchise since 1991, the Orlando Predators are heading into their 22nd year in the AFL. In that time, the Predators have advanced to the AFL Playoffs a league-leading 19 seasons and appeared in the Arena Bowl seven times, winning AFL Championships in 1998 and 2000.

Talons Hire Orlando Predators Executive

The San Antonio Talons announced today the hiring of Keith Recine as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Recine spent the past five years with the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League, the last four as Director of Game Day Operations and Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator.
During Recine's tenure in Orlando both attendance and corporate sponsorship revenue grew, making the franchise one of the cornerstones of the AFL. The Predators lead the AFL in attendance this season with an average of 12,552 fans per game and are also among league leaders in corporate sponsorship revenue. Recine will be tasked with leading the Talons day-to-day operations and strengthening the business side of the organization.
"The opportunity to take over the Talons and introduce Arena Football to San Antonio is a dream come true for me," says Recine. "San Antonio has all the ingredients necessary to make it one of the top markets in the Arena Football League and the Talons organization has everything anyone could hope for to make it a world class franchise."
Talons Owner David Lynd expressed his excitement about Recine leading the franchise.
"We are proud to announce the hiring of Keith Recine," says Lynd. "This was among the most important moves we could make and we are glad we made it before our season ended so we could get a jump start on next year. Our 2013 season ticket sales are in full swing and we hope our fans are proud of what we have accomplished this year and will continue to support the team."
"We looked at numerous AFL teams and executives to fill this position and Keith was our number one choice," Lynd adds. "Keith is a veteran Arena Football League executive and has successfully managed one of the most storied franchises in the AFL in the Orlando Predators."
AFL Commissioner Jerry Kurz is also expressed a great deal of optimism about the hiring.
"Keith has been a tireless worker for the Predators and the AFL for years now," says Kurz. "His dedication to our sport has been appreciated and I'm excited that the Talons franchise will now benefit from his vast experience."
Recine's arrival to San Antonio this week signals a change in the direction of the franchise's business operation. Recine is expected to bring valuable knowledge and experience in running an AFL franchise with him from Orlando. The Talons focus off the field is expected to center around expanding both their season ticket base as well as their roster of corporate partners in San Antonio. He is expected to bring with him Orlando's commitment to providing a total sports entertainment experience for the fans every game and a focus on "community based marketing" with a goal of making the Talons a recognized part of the San Antonio community throughout the entire year.
The San Antonio Talons are completing their first Arena Football League Season in San Antonio. The team was moved to San Antonio from Tulsa, OK in 2012 and won the AFL's Central Division title this season. They will host their first AFL playoff game on July 27, 2012 at the Alamodome.

Kenny McEntyre to be Inducted into the Orlando Predators Ring of Honor

Orlando Predators defensive back "The Glove" Kenny McEntyre will be the eighth player inducted into the Predators Ring of Honor on Sunday. The ceremony will occur during halftime of Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Mustangs.
Recently named No. 13 on the Arena Football League's list of the 25 Greatest AFL Players, McEntyre has spent 13 seasons with the Orlando Predators, including the last five games of the current season. McEntyre holds the league record for most career regular season interceptions, 97, an AFL record that nearly doubles the second-highest career interceptions total of 50. He has also been named the AFL Defensive Player of the Year three times, the only player in League history to accomplish that feat.
Previous Predators Ring of Honor inductees include Barry Wagner, Herkie Walls, Ben Bennett, Paul McGowan, Durwood Roquemore and former Head Coaches Perry Moss and Fran Papasadero.
Kickoff for Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Mustangs is set for 2:00 p.m. from the Amway Center. The game will broadcast live on Brighthouse Sports Network and OrlandoPredators.com/Live.

Orlando Predators and Fifth Third Bank Collecting School Supplies

The Orlando Predators and Fifth Third Bank's Summer of Dreams are teaming up for a Back-to-School drive benefiting homeless children in Orlando and the surrounding areas.
Any Predator fan that brings $10 worth of school supplies to the Milwaukee Mustangs game on Sunday, July 22nd or writes a check for $10 payable to "Orlando After School All-Stars - Summer of Dreams" will receive a $30 ticket to the Orlando Predators game that kicks off at 2:00 p.m.
In addition, the Predators will conduct a 50/50 raffle during the game to benefit Fifth Third Bank's Summer of Dreams program.
Fifth Third Bank's Summer of Dreams program provides homeless children in the Central Florida community access to free, nutritious meals; daily activities focusing on academics, art enrichment and athletics; tutoring and mentoring; financial counseling for parents; and much more. In its first year, Summer of Dreams reached 1,078 kids in Orange County, and the program has expanded to reach children in Seminole and Osceola counties as well.
To find a Fifth Third Bank location convenient to you, please visit www.53.com. To learn more about the Summer of Dreams program visit www.thesummerofdreams.com.

Live NFL Network Broadcasts to Resume on Friday

Live broadcasts of “NET10 Arena Football Friday” will resume this Friday on NFL Network, the Arena Football League office announced today.
NFL Network suspended live broadcasts of “NET10 Arena Football Friday” games on May 11 in favor of tape-delayed broadcasts due to labor uncertainty. The decision came in the middle of the third year of partnership between the AFL and NFL Network.
After the announcement of a multi-year agreement between the AFL and AFLPU on Sunday evening, Arena Football League action will now return to its regular timeslot at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network. Details of the CBA will be released during this Friday’s broadcast.
The Orlando Predators (2-11) will host the New Orleans VooDoo (6-7) in VooDoo Head Coach Pat O’Hara’s return to “The Jungle” this week on “NET10 Arena Football Friday”. All remaining NFL Network broadcasts will be aired live, culminating in AVITAE ArenaBowl XXV on Friday, August 10th.

Orlando Preds' Quinn Pitcock overcomes depression, video-game addiction in pro football journey

In the summer of 2008, everything seemed right with Quinn Pitcock. After a solid rookie season with the Indianapolis Colts, Pitcock was viewed as an up-and-coming defensive tackle for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
The reality was that Pitcock's life had spun out of control.
He spent most of his time in the pitch-black living room of his Indianapolis apartment, eyes fixated on a TV screen as his fingers feverishly pushed buttons on an Xbox controller.
"I'd go to McDonald's for breakfast, order a bunch of food, come home and play for 18 hours into the next day, then crash, sleep for seven hours and do it all over again," Pitcock said.
Four years later, Pitcock, who continues to battle depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and video-game addiction, is with the Orlando Predators.
"It's a huge set of challenges, born of, in my view, a brain that doesn't quite work the way everyone else's brain does," said Pitcock's friend, Kevin Roberts, a counselor and author of "Cyber Junkie: Escape the Gaming and Internet Trap."
"It's a no-brainer for someone to give the kid another opportunity in the NFL," Preds coach Bret Munsey said. "I think he could be better than half the guys on the roster."
Pitcock (6-2, 320 pounds) was a first-team All-American at Ohio State and was selected in the third round of the 2007 draft. He recorded 18 tackles and 1.5 sacks during his rookie season and was projected to compete for a starting position in 2008.
Just before training camp, Pitcock abruptly retired.
"I didn't want football to be a part of my life," he said. "It wasn't just football. I felt like doing nothing."
Pitcock said his depression manifested itself in an addiction to the popular video-game series "Call of Duty."
"I couldn't put it down," Pitcock said. "If I visited family or friends, I timed it down to the last second where I could still play another game."
His addiction worsened after his retirement. For three months, Pitcock routinely played for 18 hours a day before seeking help.
"I broke about four games in half, burned them, microwaved them, put a torch to them, letting my aggression out to get rid of them," he said. "But the next day, I was at Target buying another game."
According to GamingAddiction.net, nearly 4 million people in the United States are addicted to video games, meaning they play more than 40 hours per week.
Pitcock, who said his depression dates to high school, attended regular sessions with psychiatrists and psychologists and attempted to return to the NFL.
Pitcock was waived by the Colts in 2010. He also failed to make it out of training camp with the Seattle Seahawks (2010) and Detroit Lions (2011).
"[Quinn] ... had the success that eludes a lot of cyber addicts," Roberts said. "His anxiety and other issues were of such a great magnitude that he turned away from that success."
Pitcock's goal is to get back to the NFL, but he could see himself as a fireman. He said he's in a good frame of mind and is enjoying his time in Orlando.
"It's never in the rearview mirror," Pitcock said. "I'm trying to stay out of the house as much as possible, meet more people and keep myself busy." (source Orlando Sentinel)

Sharks and Preds Set for National Showcase

The ArenaBowl XXIV Champion Jacksonville Sharks have faced the Orlando Predators more often than any other opponent. The two teams will meet for the first time in 2012 on Friday night, squaring off at Amway Center in Orlando in a game that will air live on NFL Network as part of “Net10 Arena Football Friday.” Kickoff for Friday night’s game is set for 8:00 p.m.
This will be the seventh overall meeting between the two squads in a little more than two calendar years. In the Sharks’ previous two seasons in the Arena Football league, Jacksonville and Orlando played twice in each regular season and met in the first round of the playoffs in both 2010 and 2011. Jacksonville holds a 3-1 edge in the regular-season series, while the teams have split their two postseason matchups.
Friday’s contest marks the first of three consecutive divisional games for the Sharks. Entering this week of action, Jacksonville sits at 4-5, just a game and a half behind first-place Georgia (6-4) and a half-game behind the 5-5 Tampa Bay Storm. With the Sharks set to play the Storm (June 2) and Force (June 9) after this week’s game, this upcoming stretch could prove pivotal in the South Division.
Jacksonville will do its best to build on last weekend’s dominating defensive performance in the team’s 55-19 home win over the Iowa Barnstormers. In that game, the Sharks set a new franchise record for fewest points allowed in a game and became the first AFL team to hold an opponent under 20 points since May of 2010. The Shark defense generated constant pressure on Barnstormer quarterback Chris Dieker, recording three sacks and four turnovers.
The many defensive highlights from last week’s game included Micheaux Robinson’s two first-half interceptions and a third-quarter play in which Scooter Berry sacked Dieker from the blind side and forced a fumble that was recovered and returned for a touchdown by nose guard Jeff Littlejohn.
A rookie from West Virginia, Berry has emerged as one of the Sharks’ top pass rushers, racking up a sack in four of the last six games. Overall, Berry leads the team with five sacks in 2012. The Shark front four should get a boost this week from Jabari Fletcher, who recently joined the team after being acquired in a trade with the Arizona Rattlers.
On offense, quarterback Bernard Morris is set to make his third consecutive start after replacing an injured Omar Jacobs in Week 9 against New Orleans. Last Saturday against Iowa, Morris enjoyed his most efficient game of the 2012 season, as he had four touchdown passes, no turnovers and just six incompletions.
Morris was helped on one of those four touchdowns by Terrance Smith, who out-jumped two Barnstormer defenders to catch a pass that deflected high off the rebound net for a touchdown in the first quarter. Smith continues to produce as he has all season, as he now leads the team with 20 touchdown receptions and 25 touchdowns overall. Moreover, Smith has been consistent throughout the season, crossing the goal line at least two times in eight of the team’s nine games.
Smith and the Shark offense will need to be on point this week as they match up against a Predator team that ranks second in the league in scoring defense (50.2 points per game).

Predators Announce Community Partnership Night Recognizing Libby's Legacy & Give Kids the World

The Orlando Predators will host the team's 3rd Annual Community Partnership Night this Friday when the team takes on the Jacksonville Sharks on NFL Network. The purpose of Community Partnership Night is to spotlight the community partnerships that the Orlando Predators and the Arena Football League develop throughout each year, and this year the team will recognize Give Kids the World and Libby's Legacy.
As part of this effort, an Arena Football League signature ball with an added pink stripe will be in use for Friday night's game, to remind viewers around the nation of the critical need to wipe out breast cancer, and of the importance of regular self-examinations and mammograms for women. Players' helmets will feature a pink ribbon helmet sticker, and other forms of pink apparel will be worn on the field as well.
This is the second time in three years that the Orlando Predators have hosted Community Partnership Night during a nationally televised game, allowing the Arena Football League the opportunity to share its message of community involvement.
Robin Maynard, the Founder and Chairman of Libby's Legacy will be in attendance to participate in the coin toss, along with cancer survivors who have had their lives touched by Libby's Legacy. Also on hand will be 10-year-old Oscar and his family from the Give Kids the World Village, as well as Mitch Goldberg, Vice President of Operations at Give Kids the World. Oscar and Mitch will be joined by Orlando Predators Community Ambassador Dan Newlin for a special presentation prior to kickoff.
The Predators will also spotlight the volunteer activities in the community of individual players throughout the game to highlight their program of community based marketing.
The Mission of Libby's Legacy is to provide comprehensive breast health care to the underserved Central Florida community through education, mammograms, follow-up diagnostics and Hope Coaches on the journey from diagnosis to treatment. Libby's Legacy also helps stage IV breast cancer patients by granting wishes in order to create cherished memories with loved ones through the LIVE BIG program.
Give Kids the World is a non-profit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of children from around the world with life-threatening illnesses by allowing them to experience a memorable, joyful and cost-free visit to the Central Florida attractions, while staying at the magical Give Kids The World Village.
The crowd for Friday night's game is expected to be one of the largest of the season with rival Jacksonville in town. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to support the evening's efforts. Kick- off is at 8:07 pm.

VooDoo and Predators Set for Net10 NFL Network Game of the Week

The New Orleans VooDoo (3-5) will look to get back into the win column against the Orlando Predators (1-7) this Friday night in The Graveyard for the NET10 NFL Network Game of the Week. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
This game marks the first of back-to-back games in The Graveyard for the VooDoo with next week's contest coming against the Arizona Rattlers (6-3). This week's game is also the first time VooDoo Head Coach Pat O'Hara will be going up against his former team, a franchise he spent the past two seasons as a head coach and six years as a player.
"I don't get caught up in all of that," said O'Hara about the game. "This is an important division game for us and I am more focused on our team and how we perform. Plus, we are on NFL Network again, so it is another chance to showcase our team to the nation."
The VooDoo is coming off a 68-62 overtime loss last week at the Spokane Shock. In the game, VooDoo QB Kurt Rocco became the franchise's first passer to throw for over 400 yards in a game with 402 in the loss. Rocco enters this week's game averaging 311.2 passing yards a game, ranking second in the AFL.
New Orleans also showcases one of the League's best defenses by leading the AFL in turnover margin (+12) and red zone defense. The Predators enter this week's contest sporting the AFL's last ranked pass offense, averaging 216.6 yards per game.
However, the Predators struggle in the passing game is countered with the team's strong defense that ranks fifth in the AFL, only yielding 270.9 yards per game to opposing offenses. Orlando lost 55-31 to the Tampa Bay Storm last time out on the turf, and was idle last week.
"They are a solid team and their record is a bit deceiving," added O'Hara about Orlando. "The South Division is such a wild division that anything is possible. I fully expect a hard-fought game on both sides Friday night."
Orlando leads the series 7-3 with all three New Orleans wins coming in The Graveyard. Last season, the Predators swept the season series en route to a post-season berth.
Kickoff for the game is set for 7 p.m.

Predators Add Ben Bennett to Coaching Staff

Orlando Predators Head Coach Bret Munsey announced the addition of Ben Bennett to the coaching staff, replacing Rob Keefe as the team's Offensive Coordinator.
Recently named one of the 25 Greatest Players in Arena Football History and a member of the AFL Hall of Fame, Bennett played QB for the Orlando Predators throughout the early 90s, during which he twice earned First Team All Arena Honors and took the team to two ArenaBowls.
Prior to his professional career, Bennett played under Steve Spurrier for the Duke University Blue Devils, where he finished his college career as the top passer in NCAA Division I-A history.
Since retiring from the Arena League in 1997, Bennett has served as a coach in both the af2 and AFL, most recently as Offensive Coordinator for the New Orleans VooDoo.
"It is great to have Ben back with the Predators," says Munsey. "Throughout his college and Arena Football career, he has proven that he knows what it takes to be a winner."
Orlando's Arena Football League franchise since 1991, the Orlando Predators are entering their 21st year in the AFL. In that time, the Predators have advanced to the AFL Playoffs a league-leading 19 consecutive seasons and appeared in the Arena Bowl seven times, winning AFL Championships in 1998 and 2000.