University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Opens 2011 Football Practice
8/5/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 5, 2011
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The Golden Eagles worked out for 2 1/2 hours as the team changed their practice schedule from the afternoon to morning for the first time in four years under Larry Fedora to start a fall camp. The team had 105 players go through the workout in helmets and shorts.
Following the first practice Fedora said that the energy level was high for the squad, but that it should be on the first day and the challenge is where that energy will be later on during camp.
"The challenge for them is what we are doing on day 13, day 14 or day 20," Fedora said. "Everybody in the country probably had a great day on their first practice, as we did, but now I want to see what happens from this point. If we have that same energy level all the way through, then I know we'll be special."
Under first-year defensive coordinator Dan Disch, the Golden Eagles continued to install their new 4-2-5 scheme and Fedora said that the players' recall of the information from last spring and this summer was good during its first workout.
"The guys did a great job preparing through the summer," added Fedora. "They were ready to go today. There was a lot of communicating and a lot of older guys teaching younger guys. I thought it was a good day overall."
As for himself, the Golden Eagle top coach was as excited as if it were the first practice that he attended.
"Just getting to walk out on that field got me pumped up," said Fedora. "It's that time. Last night, I kept looking at the clock at it was midnight, 1 a.m., 1:45 a.m., it's 2 a.m., it's 2:15 a.m.. I've been doing this for 10 years as a player and 25 years as a coach and I'm still worried about being late on the first day. You're jacked up (though) and it's a lot of fun.
It will be a busy second day of camp for the Golden Eagles on Saturday. After going through a morning practice, the team will participate in its annual media day activities, which will include the taking of a team photo to go along with media interviews and getting their head shots taken for the videoboard.
The team will conclude its day at the 16th annual Eagle Fanfare set for 4 p.m., at the Payne Center on the Southern Miss campus Join Dr. Martha Saunders, Fedora, Seymour, the Southern Miss cheerleaders and the entire Golden Eagle football team to kick off the 2011 football season. This family-friendly event will feature a fun jump for the kids and a large silent auction with proceeds benefiting the chapter's scholarship endowment.
Tickets are $5 per person, and children six and under enter free. Complimentary snacks will be available. For tickets, visit the Ticket Office on W. Fourth Street or call 1.800.844.TICK. For more information, contact the Alumni Association at 601.266.5013 or visit SouthernMissAlumni.com.
