Athens Crush to hold open tryouts
ATHENS, Ga. — The road to the Athens Crush’s inaugural season starts with an opportunity.
The Athens Crush of the Indoor Football League (IFL) will hold an open player tryout on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at Oconee County High School in Watkinsville, giving football players from across the country a chance to showcase their skills and compete for an opportunity to join Athens’ newest professional sports team.
And they’ll be doing it in front of some of the most accomplished coaches in indoor football history.
Athens Crush Head Coach and Director of Football Operations Rob Keefe, a seven-time arena/indoor football champion, will lead the evaluation alongside Assistant Head Coach Les Moss, a six-time champion, and the entire Crush coaching staff.
“The Athens Crush are extremely excited to host our first ever open player tryout for the upcoming 2027 season," said Head Coach Rob Keefe. "This is an opportunity for all prospective players to showcase their talents and prove to our organization that they deserve a professional football contract. I am confident that we will find the diamond in the rough that we are searching for.”
The Athens Crush are scheduled to begin play in Spring 2027 at Akins Ford Arena. The team is owned by Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis, College Football Hall of Famer and three-time UGA All-American David Pollack, and former NFL and Major League Baseball star Brian Jordan.
The October 24 tryout will feature a combination of athletic testing and football-specific evaluations. Athletes will be tested in the 40-yard dash, short shuttle and agility drills, followed by position-specific drills and 1-on-1 competition.
The tryout is non-contact, and helmets and pads are not required.
Athletes must be 18 years of age or older to participate.
Athletes are encouraged to pre-register on the team’s website AthensCrush.com. Pre-registration will close at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23. Athletes that pre-register will pay $65. Athletes that wait until the morning of the tryout and walk-up to register will pay $80.
Participants should arrive prepared to compete and provide their own shorts, shirts, athletic shoes and other athletic gear. The tryout will take place on field turf. Molded cleats are acceptable (no metal cleats or track spikes). Athletes should bring their own water or sports drink. Locker rooms will not be available, although bathrooms and free parking will be available on site.
Every participant will also receive an Athens Crush T-shirt.
For players who have dreamed of playing professional football, the message is simple:
The Crush are looking for players. Come earn your opportunity.
ATHENS CRUSH OPEN TRYOUT
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Location:Oconee County High School
Address:2721 Hog Mountain Road, Watkinsville, GA 30677
On-SiteRegistration:7:00 a.m.
Tryout Begins:9:00 a.m.
Pre-Registerat AthensCrush.com:$65
Walk-Up Registration:$80
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About the Athens Crush:
The Athens Crush are a new professional Indoor Football League (IFL) franchise set to begin play in March 2027 at Akins Ford Arena in Athens, Georgia. Led by an ownership group that includes Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis, College Football Hall of Famer David Pollack, and former MLB All-Star and NFL standout Brian Jordan, the organization is committed to bringing high-energy, family-friendly entertainment and championship-caliber football to the Classic City. For more information, visit AthensCrush.com.
About the Indoor Football League:
The Indoor Football League (IFL) is the premier professional indoor football league in North America and the longest continuously operating indoor football league in the United States. Preparing for its 19th season, the IFL features fast-paced, high-scoring action played on a 50-yard field inside arenas across the country. For more information, visit GoIFL.com.
