As I well-documented here, I really enjoyed covering the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League. Unfortunately, due to ownership issues, the Chicago Rush will not be playing for the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
I was really bummed at the impending void that the Rush 2 year hiatus will create. I had really grown to love the team, the action, the fans and all involved.
Enter the Iowa Barnstormers.
A few weeks ago, I received an invitation to attend a tryout camp for the Iowa Barnstormers. This piqued my interest. When I recalled that Mike Hohensee was their Head Coach, I accepted the invitation.
Hohensee is an AFL Hall of Famer. He came out of the University of Minnesota and played in the AFL, USFL, CFL and even briefly in the NFL (for the Chicago Bears). He also coached the Chicago Rush to their lone AFL title in 2006. Hohensee is still very beloved among the Rush fans.
I met Hohensee before the activities started. We talked on and off the record. I was left with a great feeling about him. In those few minutes, he really impressed me. The interview can be found at On the Beat with Coach Mike Hohensee.
As a related side note, about ten years ago, I ran a literacy program at Lerner Newspapers. We ran a series of ads promoting the program and featuring Chicago celebrities. Then Rush Coach Hohensee was one of our most popular spokespeople. At the tryout, when I reminded him of our past connection, Hohensee immediately recited his quote from the ad. Obviously, his quote was from the heart and not done by some PR person.
Since the tryouts, I have talked to Greg Boyd, the Media Representative for the Barnstormers. We are working out the details for me to provide some in-season coverage of the team.
The Barnstormers play in Des Moines, IA, about six hours west of Chicago. The AFL season starts in March, but my coverage will precede the season opener. While logistics will prevent me from attending every game, I plan on attending a few and I hope other former Rush fans join me.
