Practice has been cancelled due to a couple issues. First: it has been raining off and on today and Roanoke does not want us tearing up the field. Second: The City of Roanoke will meet tomorrow to  finalize the practice field issues. Third: I have to get them a copy of our  liability insurance from the league. I am working hard to get all this done. I am sorry that i had to cancel practice, Its on me. I have got alot of calls on team dues.You can bring them to the next practice,That’s not a problem. Thanks Todd

Phillip Dillon limped to the sidelines.

“Ah. I pulled — a delicate muscle, shall I say?”

The 45-year-old Roanoke fire captain walked off his injury and was soon back in the huddle with his teammates, several former college football players and a former professional football player among them.

Monday was the third time that the Roanoke Rampage, a newly formed, minor league football team, has practiced.

The players are all firefighters, police officers and sheriff’s deputies throughout the Roanoke and New River valleys, and the team is one of 25 in the National Public Safety Football League, which was established 12 years ago.

The Rampage’s season begins in April.

The disparities among the 49 players are vast. The oldest player is 53 — 30 years older than the youngest player. The heaviest player is 330 pounds, more than double the weight of the lightest player.

And the most experienced player is Roanoke County police Officer Jermaine Hardy, a former safety for the Carolina Panthers. Hardy, a William Fleming High School graduate, will play safety and running back. He’ll be on the field with a few guys whose experience is limited to throwing the pigskin around in a back yard.

For all their differences, the team was focused and organized during Monday’s two-hour practice at the Edge Sports Performance Center in Roanoke.

Todd Stone, a Roanoke fire captain who helped establish the team, led about 30 players through drills and offensive plays.

He also distributed playbooks and encouraged the players to study them.

“When you are in your police cruiser at 2 a.m., bored, running radar, pull out your playbook,” he said. “When you’re at the fire house, after you’ve studied your map books, study” the playbook.

Soon the team will be getting help from Doug Jones, head coach of the Virginia Crimson Cardinals, a semiprofessional team in Lynchburg, and Marty Bishop, who has experience coaching high school football.

The team would like to play their games at Patrick Henry High School’s new stadium but have yet to work out an arrangement, Stone said.

Another issue still in the works: funding. The team has raised $4,200 but is looking for more sponsors to help pay for travel expenses, equipment and other costs. And, they estimate that they’ll need at least $3,000 for their two home games because the league requires the home team to provide lodging and a meal for the visiting team.

Proceeds from admission, merchandise and raffles will go to a charity of the team’s choosing. Players also plan to donate their time at summer football camps organized by Roanoke’s parks and recreation department.

The Rampage’s 2010 schedule includes a home game against the DC Generals from Washington and away games against the Orlando Guardians in Florida and Charlotte Cobras in North Carolina.

Their first game is at home April 3 against South Carolina’s Commanders.

That leaves players such as 53-year-old Phillip Johnson just four months to get ready.

“I decided to give it a try,” said Johnson, who plays defensive end and wide receiver. “I told them I’d take it day to day until I couldn’t take it anymore.

“I’m definitely going to make sure my insurance is paid up.”

Dillon, who plays on the offensive and defensive lines, said he is looking forward to getting in shape.

“I don’t expect to be starting every game,” he said. “I’m trying to get myself in better shape, that’s why I’m doing this.”

Others joined because they said they wanted to relive the glory days of playing high school football and liked that it benefits charity.

“When else are you going to get to play football?” said Sedrick Hayes, a Blacksburg police officer.

And many players said they enjoy the camaraderie, and meeting others in the public safety field.

“A lot of these guys I only see at work, and I don’t know anything about them,” said Roanoke police officer Josh Lynch.

But concerns about injuries discouraged some players from joining.

Roanoke Fire Chief David Hoback said he shares those worries but understands that he can’t control what his staff does while they are off-duty.

“The reason they’re doing it is admirable, but I do have concerns,” Hoback said.

“This is voluntarily putting themselves in harm’s way.”

For that reason, the league prohibits tackling or blocking below the waist.

And, because every player works in public safety, they each understand that it is important that no one gets hurt, Stone said.

“We both have to get up and go to work tomorrow,” he said.

Some Rampage players dismissed the potential of getting injured.

“If you get hurt, you get hurt,” said Lt. Jason Crouch of the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department. “You could get hurt walking out your front door.”

Stone told the team that their goal is to stay healthy.”Our success on this team this year is we don’t want to get anybody injured”, “When you walk on the field, you got to know what’s on the line”

Today I meet with Mrs. Rita Joyce at First Citizens Bank to set up our bank account for the Roanoke Bravest football club, Owners of the Roanoke Rampage Football team. If you have any banking needs I suggest you go there, they are so friendly and very helpful. Mrs. Joyce helped me get our Tax Id number through the IRS today and set up our account.

 The Football schedule for 2010 has changed. Our first home game will be April 3 in Roanoke against the South Carolina Commanders Fire and police team out of Charleston. They have agreed to pay for their own rooms. The Roanoke Rampage will Host them to a meal after the game. This will make our sponsors happy having a second home game.

 April 3, 2010   

Roanoke Rampage vs Carolina Commanders    Home

April 24, 2010  

Roanoke Rampage vs D.C. Generals                   Home

May 8, 2010     

Roanoke Rampage vs Orlando Guardians            Away

June 5, 2010    

 Roanoke Rampage vs Charlotte Cobras               Away

 I have had some calls about our team colors. We decided as a team at our last team meeting to go with Maroon, Orange and white. If you are looking for something to keep you warm under your pads this winter. I may have a deal for you. A lot of guys have been looking for Maroon under armour for practice. They have had a hard time finding it in that color. If you call or go by Acute Designs on 24 in Stewartsville Va. (www.acutedesignsetc.com) they have:

 Badger 100% Polyester Moisture Management Long Sleeve Shirts in Maroon

 Loose fit (For the Stocky Guys)

S  to XL                  $16.50

2Xl                          $18.50

3Xl                          $20.00

 Compression fit (For all you muscle men)

 S to XL                   $22.00

2Xl                          $24.00

3Xl                          $26.00

 Acute Designs also has our Roanoke Rampage Logo if you wanted it on your shirt. Acute Designs is owned and operated by Missy and Scott Mutter, Scott is a Captain with Roanoke Fire-Ems. Give them a call. 540-890-6900

 See Ya on the Field!!!

The Roanoke Rampage Football Team had their Last unofficial practice today at the Edge Sports Performance center. There were 32 team members present. The Team practice today focused on our offensive formations and call playing. Over all it was a very good practice.

 At today’s practice, the Roanoke Times was present doing a story on the startup of the Roanoke Rampage Fire and police Football team. Look for the story to be out late this week. Thanks Amanda.

 Someone left their Wrist watch at practice today, it’s a G-SHOCK watch. Give Todd a call if it is yours.

 Special thanks to the Edge Sports Performance Center for the use of their facility. Next week we move outside onto the football field.

 Special thanks to P.S.S. Range and Training, for their Donation Today (Touchdown Sponsor) Thank You!

 Reminder:

 Team dues are to be paid by Dec 1^st, thanks

 See Ya on the Field.

Reminder:

The last unofficial practice at the Edge Sports performance center will be November 23(Monday) from 1 to 3 pm. We need a good turnout; The Roanoke Times will be there to do a story on the start up of our team and will follow our progress throughout the season.

 The Official Roanoke Rampage team practice will start on Monday, November 30 from 6:30 until 9:00 at the Upper Washington Park, Next to the Washington Park Pool (Lincoln Terrace football field)

 I am meeting Sunday with Coach Doug Jones to systematize or practice and put our playbook together, I hope to give out the play books at practice on the 30^th.

 We have worked out a systematic plan for practice, so that each player will know what to expect and to get in to a routine. Our goal is to be in better shape before we start full pads in January.

 The South Carolina Commanders called today and would like to come to Roanoke to play us in the 2010 season. This would give us a four game season, and a second home game, which would make our sponsors happy. (Let me know what you think?) I need to call them back next week with an answer.

 Things are going well, I thank each of you for your work and commitment to this team, and it is only through your labors that this team will be victorious

 See Ya on the Field   Todd.

The Roanoke Rampage Fire and Police Football team meet today for an unofficial practice to work on conditioning and teamwork. It was a good turn out with 24 players in attendance. Now we just have to put names with faces.

 On a personnel note, I really learned how out of shape I am (lol) Thank goodness for me, We have 5 months to get ready!!.

 Reminder:

The next unofficial practice is this Thursday at the EDGE PERFORMANCE CENTER from 1 to 3 PM I will not be there due to work. Jarrod Fuhrman will lead the practice.

Special thanks to Firefighter/Paramedic Jarrod Fuhrman for putting this together.

 See ya on the field!!

  Things are going well with the Roanoke Rampage Public Safety Football Team!

This week we had over $1500.00 in donations given to the Team through Our sponsorship program.

 We have filled our Roster for the 2010 season and have 47 Players. We have to mold some people into skilled positions, but over all a good group of football players.

 The Roanoke Rampage Football teams Practice pants have arrived, Next week I will order our pant pads.I hope to have enough funds  next week to order our Practice Jerseys.

 The New Roanoke Rampage Helmet Logo looks good, special thanks to Lt Bug (Rob Reid E9 C Shift) for the artwork and design.(Design at top of this post)

 REMINDER:

Remember that your team dues are due in by December 1. ($164.00) Pays for Helmet.

 We have over 100 sponsorship packets out; please do everything you can to get some funds back into the team so that we can start practice in full pads in January.

 I have contacted the WORX band, they emailed me back saying they would love to help us with a fundraiser. We need to find a venue for them to play and work out some dates.

 The Tickets will be out by the end of this month for the CASH RAFFLE Scheduled for February 24, we are asking each team player to sale at least 5 tickets

 Be Safe, and we will see ya on the field!!

The Roanoke Rampage players are getting together for a few unofficial practices to work on team work and conditioning at the Edge sports Performance facility On thirlane Rd, Nw Roanoke. Firefighter Paramedic Jarrod Fhurman will be putting together this opportunity for us. Give him a call at station #7B if you have any questions.

 Practice Schedule:

Nov.16                        1 to 3 pm

Nov.19                        1 to 3 pm

Nov 23                        1 to 3 pm

Special thanks to the Edge for allowing us to practice at their facility.

See ya on the Field!!!

    The Roanoke Bravest football club had a meeting last night at the Roanoke Firefighters union hall on Patterson Ave. We had 30 players present. The meeting went very well. The new public safety football team decided on a new name to meet the league rules and a color scheme.  

     The new Semi Pro football team playing in the national public safety football league will be the Roanoke Rampage. In addition, we will don the maroon and orange!  

     The Roanoke Rampage will start Practice Monday November 30 @6:30 pm Field TBA. The Roanoke Rampage football team will Practice 2 days a week Mondays and Thursdays. All players must make 1 practice per week. See ya on the Field!

Team Dues are Required by December 1st.