August 22, 2011
Lancer football training camp opens for 2011 campaign
With the official opening of training camp today, the Lancer Football program is in full swing as they prepare for the upcoming OUA football season.
The 2011 campaign marks the beginning of a new era in Lancer Football under the guidance of interim head coach Joe D’Amore.
Coach D’Amore hit the ground running this summer and brought in a solid recruiting class that includes 19 players from the local Windsor-Essex area. Combined with the return of a strong mix of veterans that includes the quarterback duo of Sam Malian and Austin Kennedy, a solid group of receivers and a talented line backing corps, the Lancers enter the 2011 season with a sense of optimism and excitement.
"We are really excited to get started this fall,” commented Coach D’Amore. “We have a committed group of players who have work tirelessly over the last six months in preparation for the upcoming season. With a new coaching staff in place and some key new additions to the roster, our success will be directly tied to how fast we come together as a team.”
D’Amore added, “Training camp will be the most competitive we have ever had and I am looking forward to seeing how this team progresses after camp is over."
In addition to all of the excitement on the field, the Department of Athletics has also lined up an action-packed promotional schedule for the Lancers four home games.
The Blue & Gold open up the regular season at home in the traditional “Labour Day Classic”, when they play host to the Toronto Varsity Blues on September 5th at 1:00pm. As the featured event in the Windsor Welcome Week student festivities, all first year students at the University of Windsor will participate in a pre-game bash on site at the St. Denis Centre. There will be a live band, face-painting, a t-shirt giveaway to the first 500 first year students, sign making and much more to get them geared up and in the spirit to cheer on the Lancers.
On Saturday September 17th, the Lancers will be participating in the CIS’ “Go Shoeless” promotion with the visiting McMaster Marauders at 7:00pm. As part of the promotion, all coaches will go shoeless on the sidelines during the game to raise awareness and money for children who do not have proper sporting equipment. In support of this initiative, the Athletic Department will be holding a giant Lancer garage sale where they will be selling game-worn Lancer gear and equipment. Proceeds from the garage sale with go towards supporting youth sport in the community.
The Department of Athletics will then welcome back all Lancer alumni on October 1st for their annual Alumni Weekend festivities. This year the Lancers host the Guelph Gryphons at 7pm on Alumni Field. That night, inductees to the UWindsor Sports Hall of Fame will be introduced in a special half-time presentation, including the 1975 OUA champion Lancer Football team who will be inducted the following day at the ceremony.
To close out their regular season home schedule, the Lancers will host the Queen’s Gaels on Saturday, October 8th at 7:00pm in the Turkey Bowl. This year’s Thanksgiving weekend game will also be Windsor Minor Football Night, with all local minor football players who wear their local team jerseys receiving free admission to the game. The Turkey Bowl will feature plenty of games, prizes and giveaways for the kids and will be highlighted by two local minor teams who will scrimmage on Alumni Field at halftime.
Lancer Football season tickets are currently available and can be purchased online at www.goLancers.ca for the discounted price of $40.
Fans can also get social with the Lancers by following them on Facebook (search Windsor Lancers) and Twitter at www.twitter.com/WindsorLancers.
Source: Windsor Lancers
Source: Windsor Lancers
