Post by fwp on Feb 7, 2010 16:01:58 GMT -5
sportsyakima.com/2010/02/a-test-drive-for-new-team/
YAKIMA, Wash. — Mike Sexton remembers the last time indoor football came to Yakima — which is precisely why he originally had no intention of trying out for this latest attempt.
“One minute I was on a team and then I’m told they folded,” Sexton said, referring to the Yakima Shockwave, which played one season, in 2001, and then abruptly folded just before its second season. “(As a result), I was a little skeptical of this team,”
But after talking with Yakima Valley Warriors coach Lance Brown, Sexton had a change of heart and was one of 45 players showing up at the SunDome on Saturday for the fledgling team’s first tryout camp.
Sexton was glad he changed his mind.
“I don’t want to put this anywhere near the Shockwave,” said Sexton, an East Valley High graduate. “This is totally different. … This looks legit.”
An important message that owner Michael Mink hoped to convey not only to these players but to a hesitant fan and sponsor base that has taken a wait-and-see approach in the wake of the Shockwave’s history.
“It’s a good day for the Warriors and a good day for Yakima,” said Mink, noting that the team sold nearly 60 season tickets Saturday. “We hadn’t had a chance to show ourselves, and we know the broken promises the city has had in the past, so this is a great opportunity for us and the fans.
“They can see this is real.”
Saturday provided the best tangible evidence of the team taking shape as players from the Yakima Valley and the Northwest showed up, seeking a chance to continue their football dreams, with the Warriors expected to bring approximately 12 of these players to training camp.
“It’s awesome to get an opportunity to keep playing,” said lineman Jason Bolin, a Highland High grad who just finished a four-year playing career at Linfield College. “I miss that team atmosphere and working together.”
“The last three or four years, I’ve said this is my last year, but here I am,” said Alex Mahre, whose been a receiver and kicker for the Yakima Mavericks outdoor football team the past several seasons. “I guess it’s always going to be inside me.”
Mahre was one of several Mavericks trying out, with one player crediting Mavericks general manager Nathan Soptich for encouraging guys to take their shot with the Warriors.
“Our GM is really supportive,” said Grandview’s Andy Horner. “He wanted us to try out for the Warriors. He told me, if I make the team great. If not, I was welcome to come back.
“It’s a win-win for me … (because) I just love playing football.”
Even those who didn’t perform as well as they hoped still came away impressed with how things were run.
“I did not have a great day … but at the same time, it was a great experience and I had a ton of fun,” said Katie Hnida, who kicked at the University of Colorado and later at the University of New Mexico, where she became the first woman to score a point in an NCAA Division I game.
Even though Hnida struggled, partly due to a blood clot in her kicking leg, she had no regrets about making the trip from her home in Littleton, Colo.
“I talked to both coaches (Brown and Mink) and really liked both. What drew me to Yakima was how the team wants to be tied to the community,” she said. “I was disappointed with my effort, but I’m going to keep going. I just love football and look for any chance to play.”
In the end, players welcomed not only the chance to keep playing, but also the opportunity to help get the franchise started on what they believe can be a successful journey.
“They’ve put in a lot of time and effort and if they keep working at it,” Sexton said, “they’ve got a chance for it to grow.”
“I’m helping build this from the ground up,” said receiver Drew Copeland, who signed with the team last week and is now working in sales. “Once we get things up and running, it’ll be successful.”
“It’ll be great to help start a team and make a name for yourself and for the team,” said linebacker Kyle Amaya from Mount Vernon. “Some of these guys could be the face of the franchise, and that has to make you want to play even harder.”
YAKIMA, Wash. — Mike Sexton remembers the last time indoor football came to Yakima — which is precisely why he originally had no intention of trying out for this latest attempt.
“One minute I was on a team and then I’m told they folded,” Sexton said, referring to the Yakima Shockwave, which played one season, in 2001, and then abruptly folded just before its second season. “(As a result), I was a little skeptical of this team,”
But after talking with Yakima Valley Warriors coach Lance Brown, Sexton had a change of heart and was one of 45 players showing up at the SunDome on Saturday for the fledgling team’s first tryout camp.
Sexton was glad he changed his mind.
“I don’t want to put this anywhere near the Shockwave,” said Sexton, an East Valley High graduate. “This is totally different. … This looks legit.”
An important message that owner Michael Mink hoped to convey not only to these players but to a hesitant fan and sponsor base that has taken a wait-and-see approach in the wake of the Shockwave’s history.
“It’s a good day for the Warriors and a good day for Yakima,” said Mink, noting that the team sold nearly 60 season tickets Saturday. “We hadn’t had a chance to show ourselves, and we know the broken promises the city has had in the past, so this is a great opportunity for us and the fans.
“They can see this is real.”
Saturday provided the best tangible evidence of the team taking shape as players from the Yakima Valley and the Northwest showed up, seeking a chance to continue their football dreams, with the Warriors expected to bring approximately 12 of these players to training camp.
“It’s awesome to get an opportunity to keep playing,” said lineman Jason Bolin, a Highland High grad who just finished a four-year playing career at Linfield College. “I miss that team atmosphere and working together.”
“The last three or four years, I’ve said this is my last year, but here I am,” said Alex Mahre, whose been a receiver and kicker for the Yakima Mavericks outdoor football team the past several seasons. “I guess it’s always going to be inside me.”
Mahre was one of several Mavericks trying out, with one player crediting Mavericks general manager Nathan Soptich for encouraging guys to take their shot with the Warriors.
“Our GM is really supportive,” said Grandview’s Andy Horner. “He wanted us to try out for the Warriors. He told me, if I make the team great. If not, I was welcome to come back.
“It’s a win-win for me … (because) I just love playing football.”
Even those who didn’t perform as well as they hoped still came away impressed with how things were run.
“I did not have a great day … but at the same time, it was a great experience and I had a ton of fun,” said Katie Hnida, who kicked at the University of Colorado and later at the University of New Mexico, where she became the first woman to score a point in an NCAA Division I game.
Even though Hnida struggled, partly due to a blood clot in her kicking leg, she had no regrets about making the trip from her home in Littleton, Colo.
“I talked to both coaches (Brown and Mink) and really liked both. What drew me to Yakima was how the team wants to be tied to the community,” she said. “I was disappointed with my effort, but I’m going to keep going. I just love football and look for any chance to play.”
In the end, players welcomed not only the chance to keep playing, but also the opportunity to help get the franchise started on what they believe can be a successful journey.
“They’ve put in a lot of time and effort and if they keep working at it,” Sexton said, “they’ve got a chance for it to grow.”
“I’m helping build this from the ground up,” said receiver Drew Copeland, who signed with the team last week and is now working in sales. “Once we get things up and running, it’ll be successful.”
“It’ll be great to help start a team and make a name for yourself and for the team,” said linebacker Kyle Amaya from Mount Vernon. “Some of these guys could be the face of the franchise, and that has to make you want to play even harder.”