Good works, multiple sports keep Rampage’s Adamson busy

CEDAR RAPIDS – Corey Adamson had no idea what he was getting himself into.

The 28-year-old Cedar Rapids Rampage midfielder/forward had enjoyed a productive first season of professional soccer two years ago with the St. Louis Ambush and had greatly endeared himself to his newfound community.

So much so, ownership had a question for him – 'Can you kick a football?”

'I was able to learn the position very quickly,” said Adamson, who will try to help the Rampage collect its first Major Arena Soccer League victory against the Chicago Mustangs Friday at 7:05 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Center. 'You don't know what you can do until you go out and do it. … It was one of those things that I devoted a lot of my spare time to learning and getting better and getting the timing a lot better.”

A native of Clearwater, Fla., Adamson joined the St. Louis Attack in X-League indoor football as a placekicker in 2014 and excelled, leading all kickers in points scored and even kicking a game-winner to send the Attack to the league's championship game. With the indoor football tenants of the U.S. Cellular Center – the Cedar Rapids Titans – also in the market for a kicker after trading veteran Rockne Belmonte, might Adamson be willing to give football another go?

'I'd love to get the opportunity,” Adamson said. 'I'd love to give it a shot and see if we can make it work out.”

In due time. For now, Adamson will be counted on to help provide some scoring punch with his first sporting love – the 0-4 Rampage. The 5-foot-8, 145-pounder performs in a bit of a hybrid midfielder/No. 2 forward role for Cedar Rapids. If Adamson is matched against a younger player, he might elect to fall back as a midfielder. If pitted against a strong defender, pushing up and attacking offensively is the likely choice.

'The way we kind of pace our offense, the second forward and midfielder role almost have a very similar job,” Adamson said. 'It just depends on who you're marking. … It kind of depends on the personnel that I have with me.”

In the offseason – be it soccer or football – Adamson is extremely dedicated to his charity work, particularly those involving underprivileged or displaced children in St. Louis. While working to register his own non-profit organization that will also help families of children with cancer, Adamson continues to administer soccer camps and serves as the National Director of Training for the St. Louis chapter of the Panathinaikos Soccer Schools.

'That is what I want to try and base everything off of,” Adamson said. 'Helping the young kids.”

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com