Philly Soul Chick | Philadelphia Soul Arena Football From A Chick's Perspective

A Soul Celebration in Philadelphia - Parade Set For Thursday!

The day after the Philadelphia Soul won the Arena Bowl Championship, the whole Delaware Valley is celebrating.  However, I find it odd, that this isn't more prominent on the news sites - Philly.com, has a mere listing under sports (no pictures on the main page, only Manny Ramirez), nothing on CBS-3, ABC-6, FOX-29, nor on NBC-10 (but NBC-10 does have a picture of Jon Bon Jovi on there, just by mere coincidence).

Oh how I wish they'd treat Arena Football with a little class here in Philly.  These guys had one of the best seasons a team has ever had in Arena Football, and they aren't even getting the rounds of applause from the local press, like they deserve.  WOW!  I guess unless its the Phillies, Sixers, Flyers or Eagles, it doesn't matter, pretty darn sad if you ask me, especially when Jon Bon Jovi and Ron Jaworski are part owners... just sad, these guys are being treated like this by the local press.

Regardless of that, I did com across some information on Philly.com about the parade.  A Philadelphia Soul team spokesman has said that a parade is set for Thursday. a team spokesman said. Last week, city spokeswoman Melanie Johnson said that plans may include a late-afternoon motorcade west on Market Street to City Hall, culminating in festivities in Dilworth Plaza on the west side of City Hall.

Also, Bon Jovi said he would live up to his promise of performing a free concert in Philadelphia if his team won the ArenaBowl. The date and time are to be announced.  You can bet, I'll be heading to both of these events!

If I dig up any more information on the parade, I'll post it here as soon as I know.

*Photo Credit:  Alex Brandon of the Associated Press

Philadelphia Soul Are Arena Bowl Champions

It was sort of a "hold your breath" situation at the end of the game, but Philadelphia FINALLY has a championship team.  That's right folks, get out the ticker tapes, and line up on Broad Street, cuz the Philadlephia Soul have brought home the Arena Bowl Championship to Philly!

The Soul defeated the returning Arena Bowl Champs, the San Jose SaberCats, 59 to 56.  Although Philly jumped out to a 19 point lead in the 3rd quarter, Philly fans were holding their breaths, crossing ever possible appendage and digging out good luck charms from unknown areas of closets, as the final quarter ticked down and the SaberCats closed that 19 point lead.  Rod Davis' recovery of the onside kick at the end, sealed the championship at the end of the game for our Soul.

The Philadelphia Soul had a 13-3 regular season record, the best in all of the Arena Football League.  That really rocks!  All I can say is thank goodness Jon Bon Jovi and Ron Jaworski had the smarts to open up their wallets and make two key acquistions (now if Jeffrey Lurie would only do that for the Philadelphia Eagles).  They brought in wide receiver Chris Jackson and backup quarterback Matt D’Orazio.  D'Orazio ended up being the league's top QB after injuries sidelined Tony Graziani. 

Overall though, the Soul's season has been amazing.  I haven't posted here much, do to family illness, devoting time to the Soul had to be put aside.  I did watch the game though today, and all I can say is WOO HOO!  Philly finally has a championship team!  Let's hope that the Soul can do it again next year.

Thanks Ron & Jon, and the entire Soul team - you guys finally brought a championship back to Philly!

Try Outs for the Philadelphia Soul Set for Temple and Fayetville State Universities

So you want to play Arena Football?  Want to be a member of the Soul Football team?  Want to take on teams like the San Jose Sabercats and the Dallas Desperadoes?  Think you have what it takes to help the Soul improve on it's 8-8 2007 season?  Well you'll get your chance to prove it, twice even!

The Philadelphia Soul announced that it'll be holding two tryouts for the upcoming 2008 season during its offseason.  On Saturday, September 29, the Soul coaches will host their first tryout for the 2008 season at Temple University (Geasey Field) on turf located on 15th Street in between Montgomery and Norris Streets. The registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. and the tryout will start at 9:00 a.m., so get there early!

The second tryout will be held in North Carolina on the campus of Fayetteville State University on Sunday, November 11, at Luther Nick Gerald Stadium located at 1200 Murchison Rd. in Fayetteville, NC. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. while the tryout will begin at 9:00 a.m.

You can get all the information on the Philadelphia Soul Tryouts on the Soul's site, however, one heads up, at the time of this posting the Philadelphia Soul Tryout Registration Page that's listed in the article doesn't work, the link here should take you to the right spot.

Here's your chance to help the Soul improve on their great season in 2007.  Come on, what are you waiting for?  Maybe I'll be writing about you come the season opener for the Soul. 

Arena Football News is Sparse, but Eagles News Isn't

Now that the Arena Football season as wound down and finished up with the SaberCats winning the 2007 Arena Bowl, what's an  Philadelphia Soul Fan to do?  Well if you are like this PhillySoulChick, you head on up for any  type of football action, including Philadelphia Eagles Training camp.

PhillySoulChick.com has a sister-site, EaglesChick.com.  That's right, this gal just can't get enough of any type of Philly football. While at training camp I managed to take close to 300 photos, so if you are starved for any type of Philadelphial football action, check out the Eagles Training Camp pictures.

Not to fear though, I'm working on some profiles of the Soul football players to keep things going here in the off season for Arena  Football!

SaberCats Blow By Destroyer to Win ArenaBowl XXI

Bittersweet as it was, today was the last day of the 2007 Arena Football season.  No our Philly Soul didn't make it there, although, it is a little comforting to hear the Soul's owner, Jon Bon Jovi's voice singing the lead in music to the game.

Today's Arena Bowl XXI was definitely exciting in the beginning, but as the 4th quarter wound down, you had the impending sense that the Columbus Destroyers' "Cinderella Season" was about to come to a disappointing end, with their carriage turning back into the pumpkin and no prince to fit the glass slipper on a foot.

In the beginning the Destroyers matched the SaberCats touchdown for touchdown until the SaberCats returned a kickoff for a touchdown.  That really seemed to be the turning point in the game from my vantage point, it just really seemed to knock some of the wind out of the Destroyers' sails.  During the 4th quarter it really seemed that the Destroyers were working extremely hard for each yard the managed to gain, and the San Jose SaberCats just made everything look entirely too easy.

Now it's on to looking forward to 2008, and the optimistic view that the Soul will make it to Arena Bowl XXII!

Philadelphia Soul Recognized with Commissioner's Award

The Philadelphia Soul may be on the outside looking in on the Arena Bowl happening today down in New Orleans, but there is one thing that they can be proud of.  Friday night the Arena Football League took time out to honor it's top players, coaches and teams for the 2007 season and the Philly Soul walked away with an award.

Being recognized as an outstanding organization of the year, the Philadelphia Soul were presented with the Commissioner's Award alongside of Chicago Rush.  Kudos to the team an it's owner on this great award!

4th Annual Soul Summer Slam

The Philadelphia Soul's Summer Slam Event is returning for its 4th year in a row this August 11th.  This year's event will take place in Wilwood, NJ at the beach across from Schellenger Avenue starting at 1 p.m. and running till 7 p.m.  All of the proceeds from the event benefit Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation and the Bill Osborn Foundation.

Soul Summer Slam will feature live music by The Interns, Elephants Everywhere, Alex Calise and Grant Austin Taylor.  Attendees will also get to see performances by the Soulmates dance team, and greetings by Soul coaches and players.  There will be inflatable rides for kids, food, a Coca-Cola beverage garden and more.

For those flag football enthusiasts, a beach flag football tournament will be taking place.  There will be a men’s 7-on-7 tournament and a co-ed 8-on-8 tournament. You do have to register for the event so visit the Summer Slam page at the Philadelphia Soul's website.

Soul players, Soulmates and representatives will also be in attendance for the post-event party to be held at the Boardwalk Bar and Grill from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. Fans attending the post-event party must be 21 years of age or older

3 Soul Team Members Make All Arena Teams

Philadelphia Soul players Phil Bogle, Eddie Moten and Mike Mabry have been selected to various All-Arena Teams for 2007.  At the end of June the Arena Football League announced the entire selection of arena football players announced to the first and second All-Arena teams.

Philadelphia Soul rookie OL, Phil Bogle was elected to both the All-Arena First Team and also elected to the All-Rookie Team.  Bogle started all 16 regular season games for the Soul in 2007.  As part of the offensive line, he has protected for four different quarterbacks this season.

Eddie Moten the Philadelphia Soul's DB, was elected to the All-Arena First Team.  Moten also received this honor in 2006 as well.  He ended the season with an awesome regular season record, being third in interceptions with nine (three of which were returned for touchdowns - a league leading record for 2007) and tallied 89 total tackles, 24 breakups and one forced fumble. Moten also led the the Arena Football League in passes defended with 33 (nine interceptions, 24 breakups) and ranked third in the League in missed field goal returns with five. 

Mabry, OL for the Soul was elected to the All-Arena second team.  Mike Mabry started all 16 regular season games and has been a crucial part of the team this season at the center position for the Soul.  Mabry was the only offensive lineman to return to the starting lineup from last year, and as the only veteran he has became one of the leaders of the offensive line along with Martin Bibla and Phil Bogle.

Philadelphia Soul's Season Maybe Be Over But Philly Soul Chick Is Just Starting

The Philadelphia Soul had the best season since the inception of the team, finishing 9-9 on the season.  The Georgia Force might have ended their playoff hopes this year, but the Soul have nothing but good things to look forward to in 2008!

Since the Soul's season won't be starting for another 5 months,  we here at Philly Soul Chick (us chicks that love arena football, especially the Soul!), will be highlighting trade rumors, speculation, news and even taking a deeper look at the players themselves.  We also wouldn't be true fans if we didn't cover the occasional Jon Bon Jovi news, but we promise no "gleeful gal squeals" nor fainting here, just Jon's news dealings with the Soul. 

Jaws isn't forgotten either, we'll try and cover news on Ron Jaworski as we find it, since he'll be joining the Monday Football crew there's likely to be a bit more prime-time spotlight on his involvement as an owner of the Philadlephia Soul.  To satisfy your "Jaws" thirst, download the podcast interview Ron Jaworski did with Jody Mac of WPEN on 7/6/07 (at this writing its currently the last entry at the bottom of the page)

Of course we'll also have the commentary from a "chick's point of view", which means a little bit of wit, snark, & sarcasm will be sprinkled in with our reporting.  We wouldn't be Philly Chicks if we didn't!  Go Soul!

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Welcome to PhillySoulChick.com!  This blog will discuss Philly's Arena Football team, the Soul, from a chick's perspective!

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