AFL 2006: Week 13: Chicago Rush vs Las Vegas Gladiators

[Tannerman]

On Sunday, saw our really sucky Chicago Rush take on Las Vegas Gladiators in another AFL matchup. It's been quite a bad season for our team. (Perhaps we should blame our new mascot). In the end, however, we won 67-47 and moved our mediocre record to 5-8. How depressing.

16,230 fans at Allstate Arena

On the plus side, however, the team set an attendance record, as 16,230 fans packed out Allstate Arena. So despite the fact that this has been one of our worst seasons in 6 years, fans still find value in the product. Given the congested sports and entertainment landscape here in Chicago, I'd say that's probably a good thing.

Shannon is seriously focused on the game

At this game I was joined by 6 friends. Amy actually did not attend this game with me, as she was on her way to Ann Arbor, MI for a social work-related conference. I was joined by our friend Shannon, who also joined us during Week 3 against the Nashville Kats.

Steve & Nick

My buddy Nick came along as well, to add his unique perspective to the game. (Apparently he is done moonlighting as Nicodemus.) His last Rush game was back in March 2005 to celebrate my birthday.

Tricia, Keith, Parker, and Melissa Black

We were also joined by the Black family: Keith & Melissa with their kids Tricia and Parker. I've known both Keith and Melissa since high school. Melissa is also the sister of my boss at Kidology, so I had to be on my toes! The Blacks are die-hard White Sox fans... before everyone hopped on the bandwagon around here.

Tug-A-War showdown!

The game itself was exciting, though the Rush led pretty much the whole time. While we aren't a great team this year, Vegas is even worse, so we pretty much mopped things up. Because of that, the crowds started exiting rather early in the 4th quarter. It was a beautiful day outside, so I couldn't blame them. But they didn't leave before the halftime entertainment... which consisted of tug-of-war matches between local high schools. For some reason, this has become somewhat of a tradition; they even printed brackets in the programs!

Tricia proudly shows off our Poppycock coupons

Other routine promotions ran their course. The opposing team's goal kicker missed an extra point, and everyone got coupons for 55 cents off Poppycock, that Cracker Jack-like product that no one has ever heard of... with less nuts. We've still got coupons laying around from the Grand Rapids game.

Coach Ho keeps the game ball to celebrate his 100th

And of course we had the Bosch "Throw A Power Tool Because Our Stuff Doesn't Break... Most Of The Time" Promotion. Once again two contestants threw power drills. And just like last time, the battery packs flew right off the drills! All in all it was a decent game, with our coach, Mike Hohensee, getting the 100th win of his career. Coach Ho is a staple in the world of Arena Football and we're glad to have him.

Beth & Nick

Oh, and I should mention that our friend Shannon seems to be a "Beth magnet." You may recall when he joined us for a game last year, we won a free pizza delivery to our seat... presented by a very pregnant Beth, the Rush Promotions Emcee). Well, Beth showed up again right next to us, but this time she was giving the folks across the aisle a seat upgrade. Of course, that didn't stop Nick from getting a photo with her.

For the sake of my marriage -- and personal safety -- I refrained from posing with Beth.

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[henryjz]

Good call on the not getting a photo with Beth thing

After reading that Amy got her Intro Judo certificate, I think she'd probably practice some of her moves on you... Also, if she is still keeping up with Sydney Bristow (which I hope she is), she could try some of those post-natal jump kicks to the face on you.... or Beth