AAFL POSTPONES INAUGURAL SEASON UNTIL 2009

ATLANTA, GEORGIA (March 13, 2008) The All American Football League® (AAFL) announced today the postponement of its inaugural season until 2009. The League will continue to build upon the foundation that has been established, and will continue to discuss opportunities with potential investors.

AAFL sponsors have committed to remain on board for the 2009 season. Currently, the League has corporate partnerships with New Balance, Baden Sports and Rogers Athletic. Also still in place for the 2009 season are a national radio partnership with Touchdown Radio & SportsDay Productions, and an internet broadcast partnership with PlayOn! Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting.

"We are so very fortunate to have built partnerships with companies who are partners in the truest sense of the word," said Keenan Davis, AAFL VP of League Operations and COO. "We sincerely appreciate their support as we progress toward our new goal of a 2009 inaugural season."

All fans who have purchased tickets to 2008 AAFL games will receive a full refund. Credit cards will be credited and any checks received will be returned.

Additional details regarding the AAFL's postponement are forthcoming.

All-American Football League May Live After All

ATLANTA, GEORGIA (March 9, 2008) The CEO of the new All-American Football League, Marcus Katz, has announced the league has landed a badly needed television deal that could make the AAFL viable in 2008. Katz also said the league is in talks with new investors that are critical to the AAFL's future.

"Everything was contingent upon us landing a television deal and that television deal arrived today," Katz said.

Katz also was not ready to acknowledge the AAFL will postpone its inaugural season until 2009 which was announced by the league earlier Thursday.

"We had a board meeting (Thursday) and voted not to postpone," Katz said. "We have been seeking additional investors and felt we are far enough along to continue on."

Katz declined to identify the network involved with the AAFL saying it would be the network's right to make the announcement.

"It's not signed yet because we haven't signed it," Katz said.

Katz said his role in the league will be diminished if the new investors in talks with the AAFL choose to join.

"I would be secondary," Katz said. "They would be taking a majority interest in the league."

The AAFL is scheduled to open training camps Wednesday. The league has teams in Houston, Texas, Detroit, Michigan, Little Rock, Arkansas, Gainesville, Florida., Birmingham, Alabama, and Knoxville, Tennessee.

AAFL May Postpone Inaugural Season Until 2009

ATLANTA, GEORGIA (March 6, 2008) The new All American Football League will have to postpone its 2008 season unless it finds new financial backing.

The announcement Thursday came less than a week before camps were to open for the six-team league.

The league, which held its inaugural draft in January, has rosters and staffs in place for six teams: Detroit; Little Rock, Ark; Gainesville, Fla.; Birmingham, Ala.; Knoxville, Tenn., and Houston. The Texas team was to play home games at Rice Stadium.

Training camps were scheduled to open Wednesday, followed by the first games in April.

The league will push its plans back to 2009 unless it secures a TV deal or other funding.

The league announced Thursday it was exploring "multiple financing options" to address its funding crisis.

The AAFL was formed to fill the void created when the NFL shut down NFL Europe earlier this year after 16 seasons. The league was losing a reported $30 million a season, and now the AAFL, lacking a TV deal, also faces a financial crisis before it can stage its first game.

Among the first players drafted on Jan. 26 were quarterbacks Bryan Randall, by Tennessee, and Eric Crouch, by Texas. Former Troy offensive lineman Zarah Yisrael was drafted No. 1 overall by Arkansas.

According to a statement released by the league, the AAFL's financial crisis is tied to the national subprime mortgage crisis.

League CEO Marcus Katz co-founded a company that provides student loans.

The statement said camps would open Wednesday "if liquidity can be immediately restored."

If not, plans for an inaugural season will be pushed back to 2009.

Crouch to Throw Out 1st Pitch at Texas/Houston Game at College Classic

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 2, 2008) Team Texas will be helping close out the final game of the 2008 College Classic at Minute Maid Park on Sunday, March 2. 2001 Heisman Trophy winner and Team Texas quarterback Eric Crouch will be throwing out the first pitch in the Texas versus Houston game at 6:00 pm.

In addition, players on Team Texas will be located behind home plate during the game where fans have the opportunity to can meet and interact with them, receive AAFL and Team Texas memorabilia and get autographs from their favorite Team Texas players.

Team Texas Hire Assistant Coaches

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 16, 2008) Team Texas head coach and general manager John Jenkins has tabbed Tony Marciano, Howard Tippett, and Donald Hollas as assistant coaches for the upcoming 2008 season. Jenkins also announced that Randy Pippin and Chris Laidlaw will assist him in the football operations department. Team Texas is one for the six member teams in the upstart All American Football League (AAFL).

Marciano will be Team Texas' offensive line coach, a position that he previously held with the Houston Texans of the NFL from 2002-2005. He was also the tight ends coach with the Indianapolis Colts from 1998-2001. Prior to that, Marciano was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League, and the o-line coach for the CFL's Toronto Argonauts. He has also coached in the college ranks at Kent State, Richmond, Brown, SMU, and TCU. "I regard Tony as one of the top offensive line coaches in the game, and I will rely on him quite a bit", said Jenkins. "His wealth of experience will compliment mine, since I traditionally spend a great deal of time working with quarterbacks and receivers."

Tippett brings 21 years of experience as an NFL assistant coach to the position of special teams coordinator with Team Texas. He was an assistant with the St. Louis Rams from 1997-2001, and has a Super Bowl championship ring from the Rams win over Tennessee in Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000. Tippett has also been an assistant coach with the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as well as serving as an advance scout for the San Francisco 49ers. His college football resume includes a three-year stint under Bill Yeoman at the University of Houston, along with Tulane, West Virginia, Mississippi State, Oregon, UCLA, and Illinois. "Howard is a true professional, and will bring a power packed special teams group to Team Texas," according to Jenkins.

Hollas will serve as the super backs coach as well as the strength and conditioning coach for Texas. He played quarterback at Rice University from 1987-1990, and was named the Owls' MVP in 1989. He then went on to play professionally for nine seasons, including four with the Cincinnati Bengals and two with the Oakland Raiders. Hollas was the head coach of the Katy Ruff Riders of the Intense Football League (indoor) in 2007, and has also been an assistant coach at Prairie View A&M, Lamar Consolidated High School, South Houston High School, and Fort Bend Baptist Academy. "I am very excited about working with Donald on the offensive side," said Jenkins. "He is an extremely bright young coach."

In the football operations area, Randy Pippin has been named the manager of football operations with Team Texas. He has had a very successful run as a head coach in the college ranks at Northwest Mississippi Community College, the University of West Alabama, Middle Georgia College, and Trinity Valley Community College. In talking about Pippin, coach Jenkins said, "Randy is returning to the state of Texas with great enthusiasm. He is a highly impressive, multi-tasking individual."

Chris Laidlaw joins Team Texas as the coordinator of football operations. He has been an assistant coach at Wayne State University, McPherson College, Moorhead State University, and Oklahoma Panhandle State University. "Chris has an impressive background, and is an extremely bright young administrative assistant." said Jenkins.

The remainder of the coaching staff for Team Texas will be announced in the near future. The inaugural AAFL season kicks off on April 12th, with Texas playing host to Arkansas at Rice Stadium.

A Photographer’s First Assignment as a Reporter Covering the AAFL Draft

By Darla S. Tamulitis
(Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications) (All Photos Copyright 2008 by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loco Photography)

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 26, 2008) Being a photographer, I shy away from writing. My strength is shooting pictures. I know this as fact and my editor agrees. So when he asked me how much I knew about football, I was astonished by his question and responded “foot what.”

With a short chuckle and an even shorter exchange of pleasantries, my assignment was to cover the inaugural All American Football League draft at the Westin Oaks Houston on Saturday. I got the assignment details, loaded my Jeep and drove across Houston to the Westin Oaks in the Galleria. \

As I strolled into the hotel, I did not know what I was getting into. Being there in dual role of photographer and writer was new for me. Usually I shoot the required photos, retire to a quiet corner to edit them and e-mail said photos to the appropriate person. After that, I am done and can relax until the next assignment. Let the writers write I always say. After I get the photos, I am done. Today I was in for a new experience.

As I walked into the crowded banquet room at the Westin Oaks where the draft party was held, I was struck by the overall excitement and anticipation that filled the room.

As I arrived, Team Texas had already selected 2001 Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch as their first round pick. Crouch played quarterback for Nebraska, a role he would continue with Texas. Previously, he played professionally for the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL and the Hamburg Sea Devils of NFL Europe.

As I milled around the room I did what most people would do in an unfamiliar situation, I headed for the free food at the buffet bar. Knowing that athletes at any level are serious eaters, I felt I could strike up a conversation with someone who might have something interesting to say.

I do not do interviews. I am a photographer. Writers write and photographers shoot pictures. Never the two shall meet, at least not in my book. Well, not today at least. I am in for the entire game, so I had better make the best of it. I am glad my instincts drew me to the food. Good things always happen over food.

After I appropriated a plate full of nachos, a favorite of any serious journalist, I sat down at a table that was occupied by a single young man. I introduced myself and asked him who he was and how he was doing. He smiled and said he was doing great. He added that he was recently been drafted by Texas and introduced himself as Eric Buchannan.

Buchannan, who played safety for TCU in college, is currently working for the US Postal Service. As I sat and listened to him, I got the distinct impression that he was very grateful for the opportunity to play professional football.

Here was a man who completed his college eligibility, graduated from said college, and entered the workforce. Who would have guessed he would be given a chance to fulfill his dream of playing professional football? Very few people, I imagine. I listened a bit more, thanked him for the interview and excused myself.

I looked around the room for a new table at which to sit. Yes, I took my nachos with me. They were a reason to sit and start conservation.

As I circulated around the room, I knew I had happened onto something special. I was witnessing something that does not come around very often. That something is people who are given a chance to see their dreams come true.

I talked to Rolando Humphrey, who played cornerback for SMU. He had also been selected for the protected list by Texas. He now owns a paint and body shop in north Dallas and was accompanied by his girlfriend. She is in her last year of college at SMU and will graduate in May. They both seemed just as excited as Buchannan did with this chance to continue playing the game he loves so much.

As time went on, Texas announced more of their picks. In the second round, Texas had the 10th overall pick, selecting Freddie McCutcheon (defensive tackle-San Jose State). Their third pick (15th overall) was Aaron Cotteral (defensive tackle/linebacker-Lenoir Rhine/South Carolina).

As each new member of Texas was announced, family members cheered and screamed with excitement. It was reminiscent of the numerous draft shows I have witnessed on television. Each family member showed the pride and exuberance of a dream come true. Their son, brother, cousin, or friend was having their dream and desires fulfilled also. To see a loved one given chance at greatness is a think to behold.

Professional sports have become so typical as of late. Money, money, money! That is what professional sports is all about currently. However, that is not what I saw here.

The players seemed not to be excited about the money they were going to make or the fame they may receive. They were excited to be back in the game they loved. They were excited to have the chance to line up across from each other and play the game they grew with. .In essence, they were very grateful for one more chance.

I later talked to William Blaylock (offense lineman, Baylor) who is currently coaching at West Texas A&M University. He was also selected for the protected list and told me if this works out, he would not be coaching next year. I could tell that he hoped he would be able to call West Texas A&M and give them the sad news would not be retuning to Canyon, Texas to coach this fall.

I can only imagine how these players and their families feel about this opportunity. As a photographer, I have always felt that one can cover an event but never really be a part of it. My feelings today were very strange. I am so used to coming into an event, looking for best shot and leaving; never really getting into the full experience that is the event.

I did not feel that way today. The room was filled with celebration. It was a very joyous occasion. Family member and friends were truly excited for their players. I felt the same way. I felt happy for every one of these young men and hope they achieve their dream.

As I think about this assignment, I feel I really was part of it. Every person was excited and proud that I wanted to talk to him or her, to hear their stories, and feel their pride. If there has been a sofa, an overstuffed chair and my dog lying at my feet, I could not have been any more at home.

This assignment could not have turned out any better. So next time, when my editor asks me how much I know about football, I am going to respond, “As much as any female photographer/football fan can.”

I am ready for the season to start on April 19. To quote John Fogerty from his song Centerfield, “Put me in coach, I ready to play, today”