Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Long Island is buzzing with the resurgence of professional football as the New York Dragons, an arena football team, stage a highly anticipated comeback. The team, formerly based at the Nassau Coliseum in the 2000s, held open tryouts for the upcoming season in the Entertainment Football Association (ENTFLA), drawing local talent eager to join the revitalized squad.
One reporter, recalling childhood excitement for the team, participated in the Tuesday evening tryouts, experiencing firsthand the intensity required to potentially join the 26-man training camp roster. The session included drills such as hitting blocking pads, offensive line stances, agility exercises, route running, and sprints, conducted under the watchful eye of Head Coach Gerald Filardi.
Filardi, a respected figure in Long Island football with Pittsburgh Steelers experience and current coach at Half Hollow Hills West, has set ambitious goals for the Dragons’ inaugural season.
“We’ve got an eight-game regular season, but we’re going to play 10 games because we’re winning the championship,” Filardi stated, emphasizing the winning mentality expected in New York. “You’ve got to win in New York. That’s what the fans want, and that’s what we’re playing for.”
Men in the Arena Football Tryouts
While the reporter participated in the tryouts, Coach Filardi has also strategically recruited seasoned athletes, including former players who have excelled in collegiate football. This blend of open tryout participants and recruited talent aims to build a competitive roster for the New York Dragons.
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“It’s full circle coming back now,” remarked Kendall Clark, 24, a Stony Brook safety who has played under Filardi since age 10. Clark initially hesitated but ultimately committed upon receiving Filardi’s invitation.
Brian Bun, 27, a former Green Mountain College basketball player with a long history in football, was also drawn to try out for defensive end due to Filardi’s reputation.
“I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t know about the Dragons,” Bun admitted, noting his involvement in weekend flag football. However, Filardi’s impressive coaching record and the allure of competitive football convinced him to participate. “Plus, I really love contact,” Bun added.
Facing the Challenges of Arena Football
The tryout process highlighted the demanding nature of arena football and the high level of athleticism required. Participating reporters noted the intensity of drills and acknowledged the gap between their past experience and the current skill level of aspiring Dragons players.
While personal performance yielded mixed results, moments of success were found in completing catches and executing snaps. The speed and agility of other participants, particularly defensive lineman Robert DiGiorgio, underscored the competitive environment.
DiGiorgio, a 44-year-old from Bay Shore and a veteran of semi-pro football, previously tried out for the Dragons 20 years prior. Motivated by a desire to prove his enduring abilities, DiGiorgio aimed to seize this comeback opportunity.
“It makes me feel like I’ve still got something in the tank at my age,” DiGiorgio said. “It would definitely be some kind of a Cinderella story. I came out here, I gave it my all, and that’s all I could do.”
Filardi values this dedication and effort, emphasizing it as a core tenet of his coaching philosophy. “That’s a big thing with me when coaching. As long as you bring effort, you make things happen,” Filardi explained.
Valen Richardson, 22, another former athlete of Filardi’s, praised his coaching style, describing him as a “player’s coach,” and expressed enthusiasm about potentially playing for him again.
General Manager Peter Schwartz faces the task of constructing a competitive roster from the pool of talented athletes vying for a spot on the New York Dragons.
“When I took this job, I wanted this to be a team that Long Island would be proud of,” Schwartz stated. “I think we have a lot of talent here — a lot of untapped potential.”