Covering the Trenton Freedom Fan Experience Day
by Fran Stuchbury
January 20, 2015 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Trenton Freedom
I was able to go to the Trenton Freedom Fan Experience Day Saturday afternoon at the Sun National Bank Center with my good friend Carmine. The Freedom are preparing to play their second season in the Professional Indoor Football League and this is the second year in a row they held this event.
When I walked in they were selling fans a lot of Freedom merchandise, and I bought myself a blue Freedom hat and a red Freedom shirt.
They were also giving out schedules for the 2015 home games.
With the Harrisburg Stampede folding, I assumed the Freedom would have to play a home game against a team from the X-League as the Nashville Venom is doing to fill that schedule spot. Instead they were able to rearrange their schedule and play a home game on Sunday March 22nd at 4pm against the Richmond Raiders. I was happy that happened because filling that void is much better against a team in their own league over a team from another league.
I ran into Freedom co-owner Michael Schubiger and he told me the Freedom have progressed a lot this season compared to their first one. "We learned how to how to run the team better as a business; we have to make sure we get players with character and professionalism, that we put a strong team behind them so they can fulfil their dreams"
Schubiger also said season ticket sales and single game tickets are up compared to last season. Also the team has better corporate sponsor support.
I was able to talk to several Freedom employees. Freedom assistant general manager William Schubiger was doing a good job helping fans out with any questions they had about the team.
Freedom public address announcer Brian "Fishman" Fish told me he is thrilled to be back for his second season with the team.
Macy Golder is also back and will be the in-arena host, including sideline reporting, the post game reports and doing work in the office that will help put the football team together.
A lot of the Freedom Xtreme Dance Team cheerleaders were there, taking pictures with fans. Rachel Liberto was one of them and told me she is excited to be back for a second season. The Xtreme Dance team has seven new members and six returning veterans. They plan to be involved a lot again in the community this season.
Several players were on hand taking pictures with fans and signing autographs with them. One of them is a newcomer in quarterback Adam Bednarik. Last season Bednarik played with the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks and wanted to play in a new place, "I wasn't too happy with the way things went with the Steelhawks organization; didn't see eye to eye with the head coach over there. I always had a great relationship with Freedom head coach Kevin O'Hanlon when he was with Lehigh Valley. I knew him before and I have respect for him."
Also Bednarik is familiar with Freedom offensive coordinator Ryan Vena, playing against him when he played for the Albany Firebirds of af2. Bednarik feels playing with the Freedom is a place he can end his career on top and win a championship.
Freedom wide receiver Roger "Spiderman" Jackson said he will be playing with the team after several arena football took a look at him and he is happy to be back. Freedom fans should even be happier since last season he caught 59 balls for 730 yards and 19 touchdown, earning him PIFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Another player that is back is fullback Josh Kamenas who is also used as a lineman. On the field Josh is a very physical player. When he is not playing for the Freedom he works on a school bus with autistic children, Monday through Friday. Josh is very happy to have that job, "I enjoy working with kids. I love kids; it's always a pleasure to work with them and teach them. "
One nice surprise was to see PIFL Compliance Director Jeff Gonos on hand to help the Freedom out. Gonos said he would like to see the league at 10-12 teams eventually with quality ownership groups.
Gonos is very happy with the job the Freedom has done so far: "On the field head coach Kevin O'Hanlon has done a great job fielding a competitive team and season ticket sales have grown."
Earlier in the day the Trenton Freedom held an open tryout, and head coach Kevin O'Hanlon said there were players that impressed him enough that he will sign.
Also there was a game between the Tri-State Tropics and ASI Panthers, from the ASIDL All Star incorporated developmental football league, two semi-pro teams. The Tri-State Tropics won the contest, 58-43.
Overall around 400 fans showed up and enjoyed interacting with the players and cheerleaders. I'm glad I was able to go and cover the event. I'm looking forward to covering the first Freedom home game March 22nd at 4pm against the Richmond Raiders.
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Professional Indoor Football League Stories from January 20, 2015
- Covering the Trenton Freedom Fan Experience Day - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Covering the Trenton Freedom Fan Experience Day - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Covering the Trenton Freedom Fan Experience Day - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Freedom Fans Experience Exciting Day Out - Trenton Freedom
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