Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 20, 1995 TAG: 9507200005
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAMES C. BLACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
With baseball, hockey and soccer all making their minor-league presence felt in the Roanoke Valley, the Roanoke Rush is ready to become National Minor League Football's newest member.
The Rush opens its schedule with an exhibition game at Victory Stadium on Aug.5 against the Carolina Stars before playing host to the Chambersburg (Pa.) Cardinals in its season-opener on Aug.12. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m.
This week was the first time the Rush practiced in helmets and pads, but optimism already is running high throughout the organization.
``People will be pleasantly surprised when they come out,'' said general manager Nick Rush, who has said the team is not named for him. ``The fans will get their money's worth from our team.''
And what the fans will see is a collage of talent representing various state colleges and universities, particularly Virginia Tech.
Newly signed wide receiver Bo Campbell and punter Robbie Colley are former Hokies.
Campbell, who led the nation in punt returns (18.2 yards per return) during his junior year in 1991, has worked out with the Miami Dolphins and the San Francisco 49ers since completing his eligibility in 1992. Colley, the Hokies starting punter the past three years, signed a free-agent contract with the 49ers in the spring but was waived earlier this month.
In addition, projected starting quarterback Fred Lassiter, running back Ranall White and defensive back Danny Osborne all wore the Chicago maroon and burnt orange for the Hokies.
On the sidelines, the Rush will be represented by head coach Denie Marie, a former assistant under Frank Beamer at Tech.
Marie, who served as the Hokies wide receiver coach from 1989-92 and worked as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Kent State University for three years, said he is thrilled to be working with some of his former players.
``Obviously coming out of Coach Beamer's program, they've been well-coached, disciplined and they have great skills,'' Marie said. ``Basically, with the kids that have played at Tech, it makes it easier for us [the coaches] when we try to get them to understand my philosophy because we have the same background.''
Five of Marie's coaches are former Hokie players or coaches, including defensive coordinator Duke Strager.
Other highly regarded players include defensive back Robert Majors (William Fleming High School), running back Cornell Wesley (Radford High School) and wide receivers T.J. Jackson (Northside High School), Frank Fitzgerald (Georgia Tech) and Anthony Drakeford (Ferrum).
The NMLF consists of 27 teams in five divisions (New England, Metro, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic and Gulf). The Rush is in the Mid-Atlantic division, along with the Cardinals, the Washington Chiefs, the Washington Stonewalls and the West Virginia Lightning. The Rush will play 11 regular-season games. Following the regular-season is a three-round playoff format leading to the title game scheduled for Dec.2 in Charlotte. An All-Star game is set for Dec.1 in Charlotte.
While the NMLF will use NFL rules, including the two-point conversion and overtime, the active roster will be a bit smaller. The league mandates that 45 players are allowed to suit up for each game with another five players playing on the taxi squad.
One significant question regarding the Rush is the special teams unit. Earlier this week, some of the Rush's special teams woes were addressed when Colley joined the squad, but the club still does not have a place-kicker.
``Right now, we're a tad bit behind on the special teams department,'' Marie said.
Rush said the players won't receive pay initially. They will be paid according to how well the fans ``hit the gates.''
One onlooker has been very impressed by the Rush operation, both financially and on the field
Former New England Patriot and New York Giant Ed Reynolds, a captain in the Army Reserves, has stopped by the Rush's practice to check out one of his soldiers, defensive back George Thompson.
``It's extremely refreshing to see these guys out their busting their butts,'' Reynolds, a Martinsville native, said from his Salem office where he is on temporary assignment. ``That's extremely rare to see guys in professional athletics working that hard without receiving a paycheck for it.''
by CNB