A record number of Oregon St. football players, over 80, spent most of the summer in Corvallis, working out and getting ahead on course work with summer session classes. So the "official" start of fall camp Monday mostly just means the coaches can officially start overseeing things, and begin moving ahead with specifics for the coming season. It's more of a shifting gears than a new deal, except for some of the incoming freshmen.
The first five days of practice are an NCAA mandated "acclimation period," put into effect by the NCAA in 2004, with the intent to lessen injuries and heat-related illnesses. The period is free of multi-practice days, and will be without pads until days three and four, with the first full gear practice on Fri., Aug. 13.
The first "two-a-day" is on Saturday, Aug. 14, beginning at 8:30 a.m., with the evening session at 6:30 p.m.
The Oregon St. coaching staff tentatively has set game officials to be present for scrimmages on Aug. 21 and Aug. 28.
Additionally, there will be several popular "team building" activities, including the rock/paper/scissors contest, sumo wrestling, bowling, pool, and swimming competitions. Several guest speakers will also be visiting campus during the month.
Practices are all open to the public. Most are at the Tommy Prothro Football Complex, the field between the Sports Performance Center and the Truax Indoor Center. The second practice when there are two in a day, and the ones with game officials (scrimmages) are held in Reser Stadium.
2010 Preseason Practice Schedule (subject to change)
Aug. 9 (helmets/no pads), 2 p.m.
Aug. 10 (helmets/no pads), 2 p.m.
Aug. 11 (helmets/shoulder pads), 2 p.m.
Aug. 12 (helmets/shoulder pads), 2 p.m.
Aug. 13 (full gear), 2 p.m.
Aug. 14 (full gear), 8:30 a.m./6:30 p.m. (helmets/shoulder pads)
Aug. 15 No practice (Sunday)
Aug. 16 (full gear), 8:30 a.m./6:30 p.m. (helmets/shoulder pads)
Aug. 17 (full gear), 2 p.m.
Aug. 18 (full gear), 8:30 a.m./6:30 p.m. (helmets/shoulder pads)
Aug. 19 (full gear), 2 p.m.
Aug. 20 (full gear), 8:30 a.m./6:30 p.m. (helmets/shoulder pads)
Aug. 21 (full gear), 2 p.m. - game officials
Aug. 22 No practice (Sunday)
Aug. 23 (full gear), 8:30 a.m./6:30 p.m. (helmets/shoulder pads)
Aug. 24 (full gear), 2 p.m.
Aug. 25 (full gear), 8:30 a.m./6:30 p.m. (helmets/shoulder pads)
Aug. 26 (full gear), 2 p.m.
Aug. 27 (full gear), 2 p.m.
Aug. 28 (full gear), 2 p.m. - game officials
Aug. 29 No practice (Sunday)
Aug. 30 (full gear), 3 p.m.
Aug. 31 (full gear), 3 p.m.
Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com