Sun, Feb 17, 2008 01:37 PM

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Arena Football returns to Gwinnett


by Scott Sowers


February 15, 2008 | 02:36 PM
DULUTH – Gwinnett residents will able to say "hi" to an old friend this spring as the Arena Football League's Georgia Force return to the county to play at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. After a brief flirt with downtown living by playing at Philips Arena for the past three seasons, the Force come back to the place they once called home.

The move from Philips occurred for many reasons, but above all else, the team wanted to make its fans happy. Fans had reported to the team that they preferred Friday night and Saturday games, but the Hawks and Thrashers got priority scheduling.

"We were third tier, and with the WNBA coming to town next year, we would have been put below them," said team president Dick Sullivan. "And Gwinnett Arena is second to none. There is free parking surrounding the arena, it's convenient and the area is nice at night and safer than around Philips."

Sullivan also said that the architecture of Gwinnett Arena is much more conducive to the Arena Football game, which thrives in buildings of 10,000 to 12,000 fans. It is smaller than the Atlanta arena and has a smaller capacity, so that would create a very loud and intimidating atmosphere for opposing teams.

"Gwinnett Arena also has more lower level seats than Philips so more fans can get close to the action," Sullivan said. "We have the best home record over the last three years – 23-5 – so I hope we keep that up."

Sullivan has been president of the team since Arthur Blank acquired the team in 2004, prior to that he worked helping to make the Falcons one of the most fan friendly teams in the NFL. He said he has kept that up with the Force by offering things like fan fests and entertainment in the parking lot before each home game.

The players all come out and give autographs at the end of each game.

"Every fan in the building has the chance to get an autograph. We want our fans to be entertained the minute they get into the parking lot to the minute they leave the building," Sullivan said.

Fans of outdoor football may be a bit surprised when they go to their first arena football game, but will soon learn to appreciate the speed of the game. There are eight players compared to the 11 in outdoor football, and players are allowed to be in motion before the ball is snapped.

There is no punting because of the 50-yard field, so games are high scoring and fast paced.

"People are in awe of the speed of this game," Sullivan said. "It's like watching a combination of outdoor football and basketball."

The Georgia Force will open their season March 1 at the Arena at Gwinnett Center, facing off against the Dallas Desperados on a nationally televised game on ABC. Tickets start at $9 and season tickets run from $81. For more information visit www.georgiaforce.com.

- www.gwinnettherald.com

Definitely looking forward to the Force playing at the Arena this season. Let's make the Arena at Gwinnett Center THE place to play!

Let's try to at least get close to selling out most of the games. If not, we can at least make it sound like a sellout, especially on the nationally televised games!

Agreed, Dtrain! The Arena has mad potential for getting really loud, but we need fan interaction to make it that way!

Then bring your buckets!

Dtrain and I are newer season ticket holders, so we need to know a little more about the buckets. Is there some kind of "bucket-etiquitte" or anything we need to know about?

Also, any other bucket information would be helpful! :)

Just go to the link below and complete the easy online course is bucketeering from the Master Blaster himself..........

Bucket Banging 101 / Professor: Dane Booth

6767h

Wow, thanks. I go to the Force site enough to where I should have seen that by now!

b667ur