Notes from Camp Oxford: Day 2
8/4/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 4, 2007
OXFORD, Ohio -- Temperatures in the low 90s and a humidity of 45 percent greeted Coach Shane Montgomery's Miami RedHawks football team at Yager Stadium as it began on-field drills for the 2007 season. Practice ran from 4:15 p.m. until about 6:45 p.m. for the squad of 105 players who wore helmets, shorts and t-shirts, but no pads. There were no injuries during today's practice.
HEAT IS GOOD: Head athletic trainer Gale Newton says that practicing in hot weather actually pays dividends for a football team. "Heat at the beginning of fall drills is beneficial for the players," said Newton. "Over a short period of time, the body learns to preserve its potassium. By the time you get to the first game of the season, the players' bodies are going to be more prepared for hot weather." When a player gets over-heated, Newton's training staff uses barrels filled with ice to cool them down. "They stand in it and their body temperature gradually comes down to the level where it needs to be. It also makes their legs feel better."
QUARTERBACKS OFF LIMITS: During practice, Miami's defensive players wear red jersies with white numbers, while offensive players are dressed in white jersies with red numerals. The quarterbacks--including senior Mike Kokal (Warren, OH), sophomore Daniel Raudabaugh (Coppell, TX) and freshman Clay Belton (Dayton, OH)--all wear black jersies. The RedHawk QBs are off limits to hits of any kind from their defensive teammates.
WEBSITE VIDEO FEATURES: Steve Baker, The Voice of the RedHawks, continues his series of video reports regarding football camp. The features can be found at the "RedHawk Video Report" button on Miami athletics' website -- www.muredhawks.com. Currently featured is a piece about Miami's first-year freshmen. The second of the two-minute features will appear on the website next Monday (8/6/07) and will focus on the RedHawk quarterbacks.
TOUCHDOWN PACKAGE: Miami athletics' marketing staff offers three levels of group ticket packages to fans. Groups of 20 or more qualify for the "Extra Point Package", with individual tickets priced at just $15 apiece. For groups who buy at least 50 tickets, a package called the "Two-Point Conversion", there is a 40 percent savings off the game-day price ($12 each). And if a group purchases a minimum of 100 tickets, the "Touchdown Package" offers tickets at only $10 each. This top-level package also provides those fans with an opportunity to participate in a Fan Tunnel to greet the RedHawks football team when it comes on the field, then gets to sit in seats located on the 40-yard line. For more information about RedHawk group ticket sales, call (513) 529-4104.
Miami's Practice Schedule for the next five days:
Saturday, August 4 -- approximately 4:15 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Sunday, August 5 -- approximately 4:45 - 7:00 p.m.
Monday, August 6 -- approximately 3:15 - 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 7 -- approximately 9:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, August 8 -- approximately 8:45 - 11:15 a.m. AND 4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
