March 8, 2010 – The Chicago Rush officially returns to the field to compete for another ArenaBowl title when its players report for preseason physicals on Tuesday, March 9, the team announced today.
The Rush will open practice with three days of non-contact drills beginning Wednesday, March 10 and then will open full training camp on Monday, March 15.
“It has been a long year-and-a-half without Arena Football and I cannot express just how excited we are to get back on the field and in front of the great Allstate Arena fans,” said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. “Our goal this year, as it is every year, is to be in a position to compete for a championship and we believe we have the nucleus of players to do just that.”
The team’s 35-man training camp roster features six players who return from Chicago’s 2008 squad, including QB Russ Michna, linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo, and linemen Robert Boss, Beau Elliott, Rob McMackin and Joe Peters. Among the AFL veterans joining them are WR Kenny Higgins, who played most recently played with Grand Rapids in 2008 and FB/LB Clifton Smith, a member of the 2008 ArenaBowl champion Philadelphia Soul.
All practices will be held at the team’s new practice facility, Soccer Enterprise, located at 345 South Consumers Avenue in Palatine. As in the past, coaches and players will be available to the media after the second practice each day (approximately 10:45 a.m.). Media should contact the Rush communications staff for exact practice times.
The Rush is required to cut its roster down to the mandated 23-man limit by Friday, March 26.
