LEMOYNE -- New logo. Same mission.
The Harrisburg Stampede opened training camp on Friday at Susquehanna Sports Center in Cumberland County and head coach Bernie Nowotarski's message was clear during a team meeting meeting moments before the workout.
We're here to win a championship, he said.
Team owner Marques Colston, the New Orleans Saints wide receiver and native of Susquehanna Township, also attended the first practice. Colston assumed full control of the team late last year.
Under Colston, the team has already unveiled a new logo (and new uniforms, which are coming soon) and will play it's games now at the large arena within the PA Farm Show Complex.
Harrisburg's first game is Saturday, March 16 against the Washington Eagles.
Colston told CBS21 News Sports Director Jason Bristol he will be at most, if not all, of Harrisburg's home games.
Twenty-four of the team's 32 players made it to the first practice, including quarterback E.J. Nemeth, arguably the top quarterback in American Indoor Football (AIF) and former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Fearon Wright.
Nowotarski believes the club has championship-caliber talent. "It's a matter of how fast you can gel and become a team," said Nowotarski.
"I'm not going to say, 'Let's go out and go .500!'"
The team's largest player is newly-added offensive lineman Junior Taylor, who's 6'9" and 350 pounds.
Harrisburg finished last season with a record of 7-2 in American Indoor Football (AIF).
Nowotarski is also pleased that Colston allowed him to hire a video assistant who can break down game film -- something the team didn't have before.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include video and reflect additions of Taylor, video assistant.
