Be a part of Athens History
STEP ON THE TURF. PROVE YOU BELONG.
The Athens Crush of the Indoor Football League (IFL) are holding an open player tryout on Saturday, October 24th, 2026 at Oconee County High School in Watkinsville, GA.
Participants will have an opportunity to showcase their talents in front of Athens Crush Head Coach & Director of Operations Rob Keefe, a 7-time arena football/indoor football champion; Athens Crush Assistant Head Coach Les Moss, a 6-time arena football/indoor football champion; and the entire Athens Crush coaching staff.
Scheduled to begin play in Spring 2027 at Akins Ford Arena, the team is owned by Superbowl Champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis, College Football Hall of Famer and 3-time UGA All-American David Polllack, and former NFL and Major League Baseball star Brian Jordan.
Event Details
Date:
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Location:
Oconee County High School
Address:
2721 Hog Mountain Road in Watkinsville, GA 30677
Registration Time:
7:00 AM
Tryout Start Time:
9:00 AM
Athlete Pricing:
Pre-registration: $65.00
in-person registration: $80.00
Try-out Requirements:
- Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
- Athlete Pricing:
- Pre-registration: $65.00 (flat fee)
- Walk-up in-person registration: $80.00 (flat fee)
- When you pre-register online, you will receive a digital confirmation for entrance via email. Please have your confirmation ready on your phone or printed for entry at the gate.
- Pre-registration closes at 9:00 PM on October 23, 2026.
- Same day in-person registration fee can be paid in cash or via debit/credit card.
- Athletes must provide their own shorts, shirts, shoes, and athletic gear.
- Tryouts will take place on field turf. Molded cleats are acceptable (no metal cleats or track spikes).
- Athletes must provide their own water/sports drink.
What To Expect:
- In-person registration/check-in will begin at 7:00 A.M.
- On-field evaluations and testing will start promptly at 9:00 A.M.
- Oconee County high school is field turf. Molded cleats are acceptable (no metal cleats or track spikes).
- Athletes will be tested in the 40-yard dash, short shuttle, and agility drills.
- Athletes will compete in position-specific drills and 1 on 1’s.
- The tryout is non-contact. Helmets and pads are not necessary.
- Athletes must be prepared on arrival. Locker rooms are not available.
- Bathrooms available on site.
- Free parking on site.
- Athletes will receive an Athen Crush tee-shirt.
Airports:
- Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport is 78 miles from Oconee County High School (1½ hour drive).
- Greenville-Spartanburg Airport is 121 miles from Oconee County High School (2 hour drive).
Shuttle Service:
- Groome Transportation provides hourly shuttles between Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport and The Classic Center Convention Center, which is connected to the Hyatt Hotel Downtown Athens.
Hotel Accommodations:
- The Country Inn & Suites by Radisson is the “Official Hotel of the Athens Crush”.
- Address: 236 Old Epps Bridge Road. Athens, GA 30606
- Phone: (706) 612-9100
- Located 10 miles from Oconee County High School
- Use this link to book your room for a special Athens Crush rate of $179 (plus tax) per night.