THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 21, 1995 TAG: 9501210321
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Pat Reilly, general manager of the Norfolk Neptunes, made what he hopes was his final proposal to Old Dominion University to lease 26,000-seat Foreman Field for his team's inaugural season in the United Football Association.
Reilly characterized negotiations with ODU as ``very friendly. They've really shown their interest in the community throughout this process.''
Reilly said that he hoped to have a formal agreement with ODU early next week.
The Neptunes will begin season-ticket sales Monday, Reilly said. The tickets can be purchased only by phone until arrangements can be made to sell them through ODU and/or an outlet such as Ticketmaster.
The eight-man pro football team will play seven home games. Until April 1, season tickets between the 40-yard lines will cost $126; seats between the 40- and 10-yard lines will cost $105; seats inside the 10-yard line and in the end zone will cost $49. After April 1, Reilly said, the Neptunes plan to increase prices across the board by approximately 10 percent.
The Neptunes will play their first two games on the road, then return for the home opener, May 6, at 7:30 p.m. against the Harrisburg Hornets. The Hornets recently announced the signing of former West Virginia University quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate Major Harris.
Reilly said he has begun serious negotiations with several of the more than 300 players who attended last week's tryout camp at Norfolk Academy. Among them are Herman Ford, a former Norfolk State receiver/defensive back with NFL and Arena League experience. He also played with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.
Calvin Freeman, a receiver/kick returner who tried out with the 49ers, also is on the Neptunes's short list, as is defensive back Reggie Banks, a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School who tried out with the Dallas Cowboys.
Also catching the eye of Reilly and coach Ron Killmon were Anthony Kearney, a 6-foot-6, 320-pound defensive tackle who had a tryout with the Los Angeles Raiders and Butch Knight of Virginia State, a kicker who had a couple NFL tryouts.
In other league news, the Miami franchise has hired former St. Louis and Arizona Cardinals receiver J.T. Smith as its head coach. by CNB