Kids Stuff
By William Feldman
Welcome to Kids Stuff. Today’s column is Part 1 on the new Philadelphia Soul football team and a few valentine messages.
The Philadelphia Soul is the 18th team to join the 19-member Arena Football League (AFL). The team is co-owned by rock star Jon Bon Jovi and Philadelphia businessman Craig A. Spencer. Bon Jovi bandmate Richie Sambora is also involved with the team. The front office has head coach and vice president Michael Trigg, who won an Arena Bowl championship, and team president Ron Jaworski, a former NFL quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Philadelphia Soul’s first game will be on Sunday at the Wachovia Center.
Michael S. Trigg is vice president and head coach of the Philadelphia Soul. Coach Trigg brings plenty of experience to the Soul, with 16 years in the AFL, head coach for 11 years and assistant for three years. He also was a collegiate coach for two years.
His educational background started with a degree from East Texas State University, which is located in Commerce, Texas. His professional football background began with the Minnesota Vikings in 1989. After he was released as a free agent there, he played for the Detroit Drive, AFL in 1989-90.
Michael presently works with some famous people.
“Jon Bon Jovi is a great leader with a strong background in marketing and sales. He brings a lot to the ownership in that respect,” he said. “Craig Spencer, the other co-owner, is an astute businessman in the city of Philadelphia. He brings a lot of political, economic and business connections within the city.”
Ron Jaworski has done a lot individually and creates a “nice, credible football presence,” he said.
“Between everyone, you have a great marketing, business and football presence,” the head coach said. “You have solid people who bring something different to the table in their strength.”
Michael believes the AFL brings speed to the game of football as well as being close to the action, which most people like.
I was curious about how difficult it was as a coach to teach defense and offense.
“It is difficult because today’s player that’s growing up and being taught in pee-wee football through high school and even collegiate football is usually put on one side and does not play both ways,” he replied. “We have to have players play offense/defense and special teams, so our biggest challenge is teaching these players the other side of the football, which they have not traditionally played.”
When comparing the rules of the AFL to NFL football, there are differences but also similarities. It is a lot of the same rules that people are used to, but the game has been adapted to be played inside on a smaller field with fewer men. However, the fundamentals of scoring and operational management is the same. The Spalding AFL football differs in color from the NFL ball manufactured by Wilson.
The decision to decide who will be on the team is not easy. Coach Trigg looks for a lot of different strengths when he is trying to pick a squad.
“Football is a game where there are people of all different sizes, shapes, speeds, quicknesses and many other talents,” he said. “Position specific, I look for certain types of physical attributes, but from a mental point of view I try to find guys who have a passion and desire to be the best.”
Dwayne Dixon, a teammate in Detroit who was a wide receiver from the University of Florida, had the greatest impact on him as a player.
“He played for the two championship teams that I was on,” Michael said. “I respected his ability to play at a high level, but more importantly his character and demeanor off the field was the type of behavior we want to emulate as a man.”
For tickets to a Soul game, call 215-636-0421.
NEXT WEEK: A one-on-one-interview with Bon Jovi.
VALENTINE CORNER
• To Mom & Dad & family: Happy Valentine’s Day!! Love always, Stephanie.
• Dear Daniel: I will go to the movies. Love, Carrie Mann.
• Jill: Be my valentine for forever. Love, Stephen.
• To Linda (my best friend in whole wide world), and to Dana, Trinity and Eric: Happy Valentine’s Day!! Luv always, Stephanie.
William Feldman is a sixth-grade student at the Joseph J. Greenberg Elementary School in Bustleton. Send all e-mails to wmkidscolumn@aol.com