FSU Welcomes Incoming Players At Picnic Event
Click Here For Photo Gallery
Big Rapids, Mich. - The FSU Gridiron Club hosted its 2010
"Freshman Picnic" to help welcome incoming football players to
campus on Wednesday (Aug. 11) evening in Big Rapids, Mich.
In addition to approximately 40 incoming players, various
community and club members along with families were in
attendance. The event was sponsored by the Gridiron Club and
moved indoors to the Instructional Resource Center (IRC) Building
located near Top Taggart Field due to rain.
The freshman and transfer players were treated to a picnic dinner
in the lobby of the IRC Building with a handful of returning
veterans on hand to greet them. Following dinner, the evening
activities were moved into an auditorium setting within the
building.
Head Coach Jeff Pierce spoke to the players and
their parents with Bulldog alum and current Gridiron Club President
Bill Scheible serving as the night's master of
ceremonies. FSU Associate Athletics Director Jon
Coles also spoke briefly on upcoming promotions for Ferris
home games this fall.
The FSU coaching staff and athletics department staff members
were introduced to the public at the picnic. After the
introductions, each new Bulldog player also provided introductions
of themselves and their respective family members on hand.
"The potential of the group of people in this room right now is
enormous," Pierce said. "This will be different than high
school, though, for these kids. It's a year-round commitment
and it's a passion to be able to do this and want to do this."
After the introductions and comments from Coach Pierce, the FSU
Gridiron Club members met with the parents in attendance to cover a
variety of topics on the upcoming season while the incoming
freshmen spent time meeting with team coaches.
The incoming players reported to fall camp on Wednesday (Aug. 11) morning for check-in and physicals prior to the picnic and meeting. Veterans players reported Thursday (Aug. 12) morning with testing and meetings set for the first day of camp. The first practice is slated to be held on Friday (Aug. 13) at 12:30 p.m. (ET) following additional testing. Approximately 115 players are slated to begin camp with the Bulldogs this season.
FSU will hold 25 workouts along with two major scrimmages prior
to the team's season opener on Friday, Sept. 3, when they visit
Hillsdale for a 7 p.m. (ET) non-conference tilt at HC's Muddy
Waters Stadium. The home opener and initial Great Lakes
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) contest is the
following week on Saturday, Sept. 11, as FSU hosts Saginaw Valley
State at 6 p.m. (ET).
Please visit this link below for a complete photo gallery of the
picnic. All photos are courtesy of Zeke Jennings (Big Rapids
Pioneer) and Rob Bentley.
Click Here For Photo Gallery