The Harrisburg Stampede gather together as one as they look forward to the start of training camp on Wednesday, February 17 at In the Net Sports Complex in Palmyra.

PALMYRA, PA – February 14, 2010 – After an off-season full of changes in Harrisburg that have brought many a new face to the team, training camp gives these new faces a chance to earn their spot on the roster for the 2010 season. While all 36 individuals brought to camp have a variety of individual goals, the one goal that is consistently in the back of their minds is, “What can I bring to the table to help improve the overall image and reputation of the organization throughout my time with the team?” While this may sound cliché to some in the realm of professional sports, the true purpose of a training camp is to not only earn a roster spot but to identify what one can bring to the organization to help better represent them both on and off the field.

To help with this, Coach Robinson stated that he uses the first day of training camp to not only learn about the individual talent that he has brought to camp, but to learn about personalities and the lives of these individuals. For example, as it is seen on some behind the scenes or in the locker room stories, Coach likes to hold some form of a talent show to use as an icebreaker for the rookies and new faces. Going along with that, a classroom approach is also used on the first day of camp to show that this is not only about what happens on the field and outplaying opponents, but about outthinking and outsmarting the opposition. This atmosphere is not only a fun way to learn about the philosophies of the organization but it lays a foundation for the coaching and structure of drills that will be carried out through the rest of camp and during the season.

Conditioning will also be one of the main focuses of camp that will be running from Wednesday through Sunday this week. In these two-hour practice sessions during the week, the message that will be preached is that championships are earned by working hard every day that you play. Everything that is worked on and played for during the season truly starts in Palmyra this year. These 36 individuals will be working for 20 jerseys to be worn to represent the city of Harrisburg and the surrounding community. As one prospective player put it, he looks to training camp as a way to bring the “fire”. His hardnosed defensive mind, which has become a staple of Harrisburg football, will be looked towards for guidance as the season gets underway.

Some battles to watch in training camp involve an interesting battle between a former Florence Phantom’s kicker and the second highest scorer in Big Ten history with Kevin Kelly for the placekicking job. Also look for a heated battle at wideout with what Coach Robinson refers to as one of the “deepest corps in the league” and a group that is “hungry for the ball”. He said that while positions can be rotated throughout the game and season, earning a starting role at any position would require intelligence, not just a physical presence on the football field.

The Harrisburg Stampede opens the season on March 6th at 7:30 pm when the Baltimore Mariners come to the Farm Show Arena. Season tickets and individual tickets are now on sale. Check out www.harrisburgstampede.com for details or call (717) 889-5061 to order yours today. Tickets start as low as $15 to see hard-hitting professional indoor football right in your own backyard.

Contact:
Matt Custer, Media Director
Harrisburg Stampede
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