Axemen Add Hall of Fame Game to Playoff Event August 10th
The Firehouse Subs Jacksonville Axemen have achieved a home playoff game for the fifth consecutive season in the USA Rugby League competition and to celebrate they are adding a Hall of Fame vs. All Star game to open proceedings on Saturday August 10th. Gates open at 3:30pm with the action taking place at 4:00pm.
The Axemen will face a vastly improved Rhode Island Rebellion on Saturday, August 10th, and the winning team will secure a place in the National Championship that will be played in Philadelphia on August 24th. The Axemen are inviting all of Jacksonville to join them and support their efforts to be back-to-back National Champions and bring the National Champion Trophy to Jacksonville for the third time in four years. “We have a chance to bring a third National Championship to Jacksonville in four years”, said Axemen Co-owner Drew Slover. “Everyone has really put an incredible amount of effort to genuinely make Jacksonville a globally known city for the sport and winning our third National Championship is the best way to say thanks to countless number of people who support this team.”
To help celebrate this incredible feat and ensure they continue to offer the best value sporting entertainment in Jacksonville, the Axemen have called out to players from the last 7 years to assemble their first ever “Hall of Fame Team” who will take on a minor league “All Star Team” in a curtain raiser game. The Axemen Hall of Fame squad will see no less than 10 players from the inaugural team in 2006, that includes Taco Pope, Tim Stouder, Aaron Sane, Bob Knoepfel and Spinner Howland. The All Star Team has been selected from the four minor league teams that the Axemen operate in Florida (Jacksonville Hatchets, Daytona Gearheads, Orlando Adrenalin and Tampa Inferno). Rumor is that many of the Axemen retired players are still in pretty good shape and reported to be looking forward to testing some “old school tactics” as they try to relive their playing days. They expect some “spirited” efforts by both teams, especially from some of the former players who will travel from as far away as Minnesota.
The Axemen are extremely excited to be able to bring a home playoff game to Jacksonville for their fifth year. “It is a testament not only to our players and coaches over the past five years, but also the dedication of support that the team has enjoyed since our inception in 2006 from sponsors, fans and the community in Jacksonville as a whole”, said Spinner Howland. “Bringing a playoff game to Jacksonville for so many consecutive years has really helped cement the Axemen as one of the premier Rugby League Teams, both on and off the field, in the entire USA. We are very aware of the part that every player, fan, sponsor and the media members who follow and support us has played in this effort. Even those from overseas who support our team by purchasing our merchandise are to recognized for their continued support. We can say without a doubt when Rugby League in the USA is talked about internationally, The City of Jacksonville is certainly mentioned early in the conversation.”
Tickets to the event start at just $8 at the gate with kids 12 and under admitted FREE. As always the Axemen continue to provide inexpensive concessions, $2 beers, Axemen Maiden Cheerleader Performances, inexpensive merchandise and some great prizes during their ever-popular $1 half-time raffle.
Time – Gates open 3.30pm, Saturday August 10.
Venue – Hodges Stadium Practice Field at UNF
Cost – $8 with kids 12 and under free.
Hall of Fame Game kick off at 4pm (2 x 20 min halves)
AXEMEN PLAYOFF GAME – Kick off at 5pm.
Axemen Fall of Fame Team list
Taco Pope, Bob Knoepfel, Tim Stouder, Aaron Peacock, Aaron Sane, Tom Brumfield, Brian McLogan, Chris Cassells, Patrick Cox, Johnny Winn, Mike Connolly, David Croft, Spinner Howland, Ricky Brown, Rob Tribbey, Chris Nault, Marc Hanke.
This is the Axemen team celebrating the 2006 win that put them into their first ever playoff game with sponsors Ridge Sink and Sam Kouvaris
The 2013 Jacksonville Axemen Celebrating the cover of the Yellowpages
