Rome expansion changes name to Rampage

[Banana Cat]

Free Indoor Football Translation Service:

"The UIFL plans to expand to 14 to 16 teams with two divisions." = We plan to burn as many markets as we can instead of trying to build slowly and ensure new markets are ready and prepared.

From Oursportscentral:

Rome Changes Name to Rampage

May 24, 2011

ROME, GA - The Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL) and the Rome, Georgia franchise has announced the team will officially be named the Rome Rampage.

Initially named the River Dogs at the press conference, the league decided to change the name to Rampage due to several licensing issues. Not only was the name changed, the franchise changed the team's color scheme. The new franchise will be red, black and silver, replacing the original blue, black and silver scheme.

The franchise did, however, keep the spooky dog logo.

The Rome Rampage will be apart of the league's new South Division, and will play their home games at the Forum Civic Center. The exact alignment of the South Division will be decided following the completion of expansion. The UIFL plans to expand to 14 to 16 teams with two divisions.

[exit322]

This still lends me to wonder if they've talked to teams in other leagues, but yeah - 6 to 16 is too much.

[Banana Cat]

www.romenews-tribune.com/view/full_story/13492624/article-Indoor-football-team-announces-coaches--name-change?instance=sports_page_secondary_story

Indoor football team announces coaches, name change

by Jonathan Blaylock, Rome News-Tribune Sports Writer

Rome’s new indoor football team is really starting to take shape.

The Ultimate Indoor Football League team announced on Monday at a press conference at The Forum the naming of their head coach, Joe Micco, and offensive-defensive line coach, Lou Vega.

The team also announced a name change with a new color scheme. The former River Dogs will now be known as the Rampage, and the blue and black has been replaced with red and black team colors.

"I’m really excited about where the team’s going," team president and general manager Kacee Smith said. Smith is also founder and general manager of the semipro football team, the North Georgia Bulldogs, "We’ve got a strong coaching staff and a strong front office. We want to stay in the community and stay in every one’s attention. I’m really happy to bring (Micco) on board. His experience is huge in this league. He’s not far removed from the players. He has enough experience to win ballgames."

Micco began his coaching career with the three-time ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats. That team aver-aged almost 60 points per game over the period of 14 seasons.

Micco is excited about the opportunity to coach in Rome and has already seen great potential in the city in a short time.

"There’s a lot of excitement surround this franchise," Micco said. "When I got into town, we went from business to business and I saw a lot of Rome Renegade jerseys and helmets and posters. I think people are excited to get a team back in town. It’s going to mean our players are going to be motivated to give back to the community.

"The team’s goal is to benefit the players and to help them extend their careers, so they can have a chance to play at higher levels," Micco added. "It’s going to mean great things for the fans. You’re going to see a great brand of football."

Micco is also a four-year veteran of the Arena Football League and arenafootball2, playing as quarterback.

Vega also brings a lot of experience to the team. He played for nine years in the AFL and af2, playing on both sides of the ball. He played at offensive line, defensive line fullback and linebacker during his career.

"I see the total culmination of (my career) all today with the Rome Rampage," Vega said. "I’m here to get the guys to the next level. I’m looking for hard-working guys. We’re here to just have fun. I’m looking forward to the season."

The Rampage will begin play in 2012 when the UIFL be-gins its new season. The team will also hold open tryouts on June 25 at 10 a.m. at Shorter University’s Ben Brady Field.

People in the community will soon be able to really get involved in the team when the Rampage open their downtown front office at 318 Broad St. There, fans can purchase season tickets — beginning at $48 — and other merchandise.

Ticket prices for games will range from $8 to $25 and the team hopes to plan an open house in July where fans can meet the coaching staff and team members.

The team can also be found online at www.romerampage.com, which is not yet active.