University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
First Full Squad Practice Goes Well
8/8/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
First Full Squad Practice Goes Well
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss football squad hit the field for the first time as a full squad Friday, and the session went well.
In addition to the first practice with all players on the field, Friday's session was also the first outing in which all players were dressed out in full gear.
"I thought we had a good day," Southern Miss Head Coach Jeff Bower said. "We went pretty long, and we came out in the heat of the day to try and get acclimated to the weather. But I thought our effort was pretty good."
The full-squad practice was a change from the first four days of practice this week, as earlier practices were divided into first-year players in the morning and varsity players in the afternoon.
Bower said that the players adjusted to today's practice as well as adjusting to the heat, a credit to the conditioning work and practice over the past few days.
"You can tell that we have gotten better everyday," Bower said. "We have had less problems with the heat, and this was probably one of the hotter practices we had just because of the time of day we practiced."
Two-a-day practices for the team begin tomorrow, with a morning session scheduled for 7:35 a.m., and an afternoon practice slated for 3:55 p.m.
"I am looking for effort, enthusiasm and good attitudes out of the guys," Bower said of his expectations for the first day of two-a-days. "If the players do that, then they will get better every day."
Bower also was pleased with the work of the new players on Friday, as it was the first time for many of them to practice with the veterans.
"They are all doing well," Bower said. "It is a little bit like starting over for them, but it is still a good group. They have been improving every day, and they will keep getting better."
The general public will get its first opportunity to meet the entire team tomorrow, as part of the Eighth Annual Golden Eagle FanFare. Festivities will be held at Reed Green Coliseum, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The entire squad will be in attendance and available to the public immediately afterwards.
Tickets can be purchased at the Ogletree Alumni House (266-5013), the Pat Ferlise Center (266-5418) or from members of the South Central - Hattiesburg Metro USM Alumni Board. Adult tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Tickets for children 6-12 are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Children under 6 will be admitted free.
