RiverHawks building team for inaugural season

12/16/02 RiverHawks Press Release

 KNOXVILLE, TN-  The Tennessee RiverHawks are building the Indoor Football team that will represent Knoxville in the 2003 National Indoor Football League season. 

Chris Covert, a 6’0”, 273lb linebacker/fullback from Kent State University has signed with the team for the inaugural season beginning March 22 versus the Ohio Valley Greyhounds.  Covert attended the RiverHawks open tryout in October, impressing coaches and fellow participants.  “He completed 34 repetitions of 225lbs and ran the forty yard dash in 5.0 seconds,” said RiverHawks General Manager/Offensive Coordinator Garmez Parks.  “He did very well in the tryout, showing great strength in the bench press.  His speed and quickness are good for a guy his size.  I want to look at him at both the linebacker and defensive line positions.”

The RiverHawks plan to sign several players in the coming weeks.  Approximately 40 players will be invited to the March 2003 training camp.  Roster cuts will be made during the camp to reach the league maximum of 25 players for the 2003 active season roster.  “The tryout in October was very successful.  Several players will be signed from that tryout and invited to camp.  We have had players from all over the country calling and registering for our January tryout.” 

The RiverHawks current roster is composed of all players that finished the 2002 season with Knoxville’s previous Indoor Football organization.  Many of those players will also be invited to attend the RiverHawks training camp. 

The next RiverHawks open tryout will be held January 25 from 5-10pm at the ThunderPlex on Lovell Road.  The pre-registration fee is $50 ($55 day of tryout).  Registration forms can be obtained by calling the RiverHawks front office at 865-637-2000.