League veteran and Rampage fan favorite Tony Bowick announced today that he has decided to retire after thirteen years in the Arena Football League. Bowick, who was an inaugural member of the Rampage back in the 1998 season, will now take on a new responsibility with the Rampage as the line coach on Sparky McEwen's staff. In 2005, Bowick finished with 4.5 tackles and one catch for five yards. He finished his career with 123.0 stops, 16.5 sacks, an interception and caught four touchdowns on offense.

"Here we have a situation that we have talked about with Tony and he had planned to begin coaching at the end of his career," said Rampage head coach Sparky McEwen. "He was willing to cut his playing career short so he can start his coaching career. This really tells a lot about Tony as a man. Coaching here will give him the opportunity to help this organization grow and move the team back towards another championship. He has been around the Arena game for a long time and knows our personnel system. We were able to look no further for an excellent coaching candidate than our own Tony Bowick.”

Many remember Bowick as a key member of the 2001 Rampage team that won ArenaBowl XV and now he will pursue coaching, something that he had plans to do following this season. McEwen and Bowick have coached together previously with Creston High School. Bowick began his AFL career with the Rampage and will retire as one as well.