Memphis Blast Call Millington Home

New York, April 1, 2003 — Tennessee has the Titans. Memphis has the Grizzlies. Now, Millington can call itself home to a professional sports franchise, kind of.

The Memphis Blast, a semi-professional football team owned by the Blast Entertainment Group, has picked up its belongings and moved its home games to Millington…

The team, which is in its third year in the North American Football League, played its first two seasons at Crump Stadium in Memphis. But, because the facility is “run-down”, and Millington has a “better football base,” the Blast has decided to play in Millington Memorial Stadium at Millington Central High School. Along with playing rent, the team plans to split all money with the MCHS football Booster Club.

“While we are there,” General Manager David Voiles said, “we will do everything we can to help out the football team.”

Voiles also said the agreement was “not that difficult.” The final papers were signed last Wednesday (March 19) at the Shelby County School Board.

The team will play 10 games, including five in Millington. The NAFL consists of 67 teams across the country. The Blast are part of the Southern region, which consists of 13 teams: Central Alabama Renegades, Georgia Rage, Louisiana Hurricanes, Panhandle (FL) Tigers, Asheville (NC) Grizzlies, Charleston (SC) FireCats, Charlotte Power, Chapin (SC) Timberwolves, Virginia Crimson Cardinals, the Blast, Memphis N-Vaders, Nashville Mustangs and Nashville Storm.

“Coach Hawkins and all the people are really great to work with,” Voiles said. “We are moving to a much better stadium, where we know we will be play in front of a lot of good football fans.”

On May 17, the team will host its first event with a pre-season opener. Five teams from around the country (Central Illinois, Texas Stampede, Nashville Storm, St. Louis Bulldogs and Dallas Diesel) will join at MCHS to have a Bar-B-Que Bowl and play three scrimmage games. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and LeBonheur Children’s Hospital will also be there.

Along with home games, the Blast will conduct youth cheerleading and football camps throughout the summer. Tryouts for the team are still in session, and a roster will be completed within a few weeks.