Now I know this is going to be a short post, but this is where you fans come in. I want to hear your thoughts on the Iowa game and what great times you had or will have at the place formerly known as the O-rena. Shoot an email to insidethejunglepreds@yahoo.com and your email might be read on the next podcast. Speaking of that, there will be a special post-game edition of Inside the Jungle coming out on Saturday afternoon. Looking forward to seeing you guys and gals in the jungle!!!

Since the last post a month back, a lot of things have been happening both with the team and myself within the organization. One of the things that we’ve been working on was announced last week. Each week, we will have the Prowler Profile where you fans will get a chance to know the Prowlers a little better. However, you might have to wait until next week’s podcast to hear our debut edition. Key word being MIGHT (hint hint). I can’t wait to get this rolling, the excitement is building.

Speaking of excitement, how about the pick-up party on Saturday? Big thanks to everyone that came out and made the event a complete success. It’s not a surprise that we have the most loyal, dedicated, and passionate fan base in Arena Football. One thing that I did see around the event was a ton of enthusiasm and pride that the Predators are back. The Voice of the Predators said it best “We’re Back”. So to say you fans are ready to rock and roll on April 3oth is a vast understatement. I know the first two weeks have been tough and we’re 0-2, but it’s early. DON’T PRESS THE PANIC BUTTON!! It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Before I sign off each week, I’ll give you fans a chance to sound off on a topic. This week, I want to hear your thoughts on what was the greatest single-game performance in Predator history. With what QB Nick Hill did against Bossier-Shreveport where he had a team-record 36 completions and seven total touchdowns (4 passing, 3 rushing), he should be right there in the discussion. Send your emails to insidethejunglepreds@yahoo.com and I’ll address them personally, on the podcast, and on my post next week. Well, it’s been fun and too long, but it’s time for me to roll. See you guys on the podcast!!

To make a long story short, I was set to be interviewed by another team for an internship. However, they never got back to me. On the same token, they brought in other people knowing I was interested in working for them. So, when the Predators contacted me about being an intern, I jumped at the opportunity. It was not only a chance to work with a team I loved to watch while in college here. It was a chance to show that other franchise they made a mistake by not brining me on board. Is it wrong for me to have a chip on my shoulder?? I don’t think so. Sometimes, the best motivation is kind given to you by someone else’s lack of it for you. 

I always get this feeling when I am working in the office that I don’t get at my 9-5 occupation, belonging. Any event I work as a member of the Predators, there is a true sense of team. Everyone there works towards the common goal and purpose. As an intern, there’s a sense that people appreciate the hard work we do for the organization. That’s why I work so hard and chip in on so many projects with the team. The appreciation, the respect, the realization that all of the hours are paying off. When you love something or someone that much, you’re more willing to take on more than is necessary to keep that relationship strong. That’s my feeling with the Orlando Predators. I enjoy being a part of this organization. I don’t take it for granted. Considering what I’ve gone through in the past to get to this point, I have no reason to be anything but blessed. I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it. The Predators are a family and when you’re part of a family, you do what it takes to make the family proud of you. I am proud to be a part of this team and I hope I am making you proud by writing on this blog. Looking forward to seeing you on Friday night at Fridays Front Row for the Chicago/Iowa watch party. Yes fans, you will get to match the face with the blog and pod-cast. See you soon, GO PREDS!!!

First things first, how about us signing former Heisman Trophy QB Brad Banks? I remember watching him play back in 2003 when he led the Iowa Hawkeyes to the FedEx Orange Bowl. He has a ton of mobility and will provide a much-needed spark for the offense. Can’t wait to see him and the rest of the team at training camp (which begins March 22^nd by the way).

I mentioned last time that I had a few surprises due up. I figure I can let the cat out of the bag for this one. Be on the lookout in the upcoming weeks for an Inside the Jungle podcast. Yes, I said it! A podcast dedicated to the Predators and Arena Football. So if you can’t check us out on our website while at work, you can download us and take us WHEREVER you go. We were hoping to get our first podcast up before this past Saturday’s tryouts. However, we had some issues we needed to fix. No need to worry though, once the new site is launched; it will be all systems go. Stay tuned to the blog for more details regarding the first episode. By the way, I will be one of the hosts of the show. Just in case you had any doubts about that.

Today while sitting at my cubicle, I was pondering something very close to me. This kind of piggy-backs of my last post, but you’ll see why shortly. Have you ever felt loved and appreciated in once place yet treated like you don’t exist in another? Well, that’s how it is for me between my internship and my last experience working with the media. When I am working for the Predators, there is a sense of appreciation for the work we do (and it’s a lot of work let me tell you). While you see the end results of said work on our YouTube channel, they don’t go unrecognized. Sadly, the same cannot be said in the corporate world. The team goal takes a backseat to individuality in this “me first, second, and third” age. No need to worry about that here my friends. We are tight like glue on a frozen flagpole (feel free to comment on the bad joke at your leisure).

Working with the Preds means different things to different people. What does it mean for me? Well, it’s a chance for redemption. I won’t bore you with the details, but let’s just say I was railroaded while I was in school. For the longest time, I wanted a chance to prove myself. It was like my soul was replaced with a bottomless pit without being involved. Then, along came the Orlando Predators. Very few know how happy and emotional I was when I got the internship. Here was a chance to show one of the great organizations in Arena Football that they made a quality decision in bringing me to their family. It’s a sense of pride for me writing this blog, working the events, and representing the Predators. It’s a responsibility I accept fully. I hope that you, the best fans in Arena Football, make sure that I uphold that standard set for the organization and myself. Be sure to check out our You Tube channel for video of the second open tryouts. See you next time!! GO PREDS

Being an intern is never easy. You have to be on call at a moment’s notice and be ready to anything and everything thrown your way. One of the first to arrive and one of the last to leave. What makes it worth it? One word: Family. From the front office to the players, the ticket sales reps to the best fans in Arena Football, we’re a big family. We have our disagreements, opinions, and fights about things. Just don’t let anyone else do the same thing to that person or the whole Predator nation will jump on their back. How many jobs have you worked at where you can honestly say it was a true team environment? I really can’t think of one to be honest with you my friends. Football is the only sport I know where each individual aspect is necessary to have the whole be triumphant. And no, I’m not saying that because I was a three-year starter in high school. This sport, this game, is the ultimate display of teamwork and family.

I can’t think of a better example of our family unity than our long day spent at New Dimensions in Oviedo for the Prowler auditions. Sitting in the room with DJ, Chantel, Adam (our boss), and Corey just laughing it up while we waited for the tryouts to be begin made me appreciate this opportunity. We all were there for the sole purpose of presenting the tryouts in the best possible form (and make sure Jay Love looked awesome on camera, which we succeeded). If you check out our You Tube channel (Orlando Predators BTW), it’s safe to say we did what we set out to do. Everywhere else where there is a group setting, I can’t honestly say that. There’s a sense of pride and ownership working for this organization. I don’t know if it’s the fact we didn’t have a season in 2009. Maybe it’s the fact we set a high standard for our franchise. Whatever that “it” factor is, that driving force makes us want to do the best job we can. If I can ask one thing of Father Time, can he speed up the calendar and have April 30th get here already?

By the way fans, I have a few surprises in store for you in the near future so stay tuned for that. Until then, GO PREDS!!!

The ladies were divided into nine groups and each performed a routine they learned during the auditions the week before. Also, they each performed individually in front of the judges.

Then the waiting game began. Every minute standing and waiting for the judges to decide their fate. One can’t even begin to understand what the finalists were going through during that moment in time. Allow me to try to give you an idea of what their thought process might have been like. Try to imagine you just finished a big final exam to pass your class in order to graduate. Now, imagine you have wait for your grade in front of a room full of people and all eyes are focused on you. Finalists had their own unique way to pass the time. Some spent it cutting a rug with interns from the New Dimensions Dance Academy. Others chatted with their fellow finalists. The rest were just too anxious to talk and just waited patiently. The 350 Predator fans in attendance were treated to a showcase of talent, beauty, and skill. During the show, fans also saw a small taste of what the PredsTV crew will be providing this year. If the videos are any indication, it will be an amazing venture.

After much waiting, the judges came back with their decision. As each of the sixteen names were called, there were tears and joy; relief and satisfaction; disappointment and finality. For those who can call themselves Predator Prowlers, the finals end one chapter and open another. Now they begin again, this time as a team, as a family, as Prowlers.

7:43 A.M: There was excitement, nervousness, faith, and angst running through my veins that day. I felt sick to my stomach. I already saw us in the Arena Bowl. All of those thoughts were on my mind as I was getting ready for my interview. It was a Friday and what a beautiful day it was too. Nobody told me that it would be the longest five hours of my life until that interview. Work that day seemed to drag on forever as I waited. People were giving their best wishes to me, but I was still trying to get myself excited. I mean, this is the Orlando Predators we’re talking here. I remember watching Barry Wager and his legendary performances on Sun Sports back when I was younger. I remember when we won the Arena Bowl on a last-second field goal versus Nashville in the Jungle back in 1999. All of that was on my mind as the day passed on.

12:28 P.M: Great, I’m in the area, but I have no clue where the office is. I gave Adam a call to let him know I’ll be running late. Not exactly a good way to endear yourself. I walk a couple of blocks and arrive at the office. As I see the logos painted on the windows, I tell myself to relax and breathe. I say a quick prayer and walk in. Everything else after that was one blur to be honest. I do remember us trying to listen to my demo, but we got stuck with the one computer without speakers (go figure!). Next thing you know, I’m in as a media intern.

1:10 P.M:

The first thing I remember thinking when I left was “Was it really that easy?” It seemed like I was favored highly on that day. Walking on air, on cloud nine, call it whatever you want. It was surreal. I called everyone and anyone I could think of to spread the news. It was one of those things you just think about the rest of the day and shake your head. I was on cruise control rest of that afternoon (all weekend now that I think about it). The journey had begun and it was going to be a wild ride.

Hope you enjoyed that and I’ll chat with you one more time before the finals Saturday night. Oh, and be sure to check out the Orlando Predators Facebook page for pictures of the Prowler dance team tryouts.

As many of you know, player and dancer tryouts were this Saturday. As anxious as it was for me to go through the process of joining the Predators, these men and women experienced the same anxiety and butterflies. As a former football player in high school, it’s a day you dream about and dread at the same time. One bad jump, one mis-step in a routine, one off day, and POOF, the dream goes up in smoke. Believe me when I say it was an intense Saturday for several people during the tryouts.

Well, that is all for now. I look forward to sharing my journey with the Predators with you. Next time, I will walk you through what it’s like to go through the process of joining the organization and also give my thoughts on the Predator Prowlers as we countdown to the finals this Saturday!! (butterflies and nervousness will be involved). GO PREDS!!!

In yesterday’s Orlando Sentinel, consumer reporter and advocate Greg Dawson wrote a wonderful piece on how we are handling the delicate situation of honoring season tickets purchased for the old AFL team.  The article outlines our policy in a simple and easy-to-understand way.  Thanks for setting the record straight, Greg!

You can read Greg’s full piece here at the Orlando Sentinel’s website.