Bearkats travel to Lake Charles for 2010 Football Media Day
7/26/2010 6:45:00 AM | Football
Among the highlights of events Wednesday will be the announcement of both the 2010 preseason All-Southland Conference football squad and the preseason forecast in the annual Southland head coaches' poll.
Most preseason football publications have been looking for another battle between last year's co-champions Stephen F. Austin and McNeese State but everyone knows each Southland football race can be full of surprises.
"That's the great thing about preseason and the beginning of camp. Everyone is excited," new Sam Houston head football coach Willie Fritz said. "This will be my first Southland media day and it's going to be fun."
Fritz is no stranger to the Southland. He served as secondary and special teams coach for the Bearkats in 1991 and 1992 when Sam Houston won the title and placed third in consecutive seasons.
He returned to Sam Houston as the university's new head coach after 13 years at University of Central Missouri where he rolled up a 97-47 record as the Mules' head coach from 1997 to 2009. He produced a 39-5-1 record and two national junior college championships at Blinn in 1993 to 1995.
"Throughout my time at Blinn and Central Missouri we've kept a close eye on the Southland Conference," Fritz said. "To have the opportunity to coach in such an outstanding NCAA FCS is tremendous."
Reporters from news media across the Southland Conference will interview the head coaches and players from each of the league school's during Wednesday's activities. Each head coach will speak at a noon luncheon for the media.
Student-athletes representing Sam Houston at media day will be quarterback Bryan Randolph and defensive back Jarvis Pippins, both seniors.
Randolph has been the backup quarterback the past two years but earned the starting assignment in 2010 spring drills. He came to Sam Houston as a transfer from Moorpark College where he was All-Western State Conference after passing for 1,733 yards.
Pippins, a Longview product. started every game at cornerback as junior in 2009. He intercepted passes in both the Central Arkansas and Texas St.
Across the league, 19 all-conference players from last season return and most are expected to be at media day in Louisiana on Wednesday.
Stephen F. Austin senior quarterback Jeremy Moses, senior defensive back Andre Banks and McNeese State sophomore defensive back Malcolm Bronson highlight the group of players appearing at the event.
Moses was named the Southland's co-player of the year in 2009, while Banks received newcomer of the year honors and Bronson took home the freshman of the year award.
Sam Houston State football players report for the opening of 2010 preseason camp in Huntsville on Thursday August 5. The first practice on the field at Bowers Stadium will be Friday August 6.
The 2010 football season begins with a road NCAA Division I FBS matchup with the Baylor Bears on Saturday, Sept. 4. The opening home game at Bowers Stadium features a tilt with Gardner-Webb on Saturday, Sept. 25. Highlight of the 2010 season will be the "Battle of the Piney Woods" with SFA at Reliant Stadium in Houston on Saturday, October 23.
Season tickets for Bearkat football are on sale now featuring the new "2-2-2" package offers fans season tickets in the mid-field bleacher reserved section on the west side of Bowers Stadium - the best bleacher seats in the house.
When fans purchase two season tickets in the mid-field bleacher reserved section they also receive two footballs autographed by the Sam Houston football team following the final home game of 2010 and two Bearkat hats.
The "2-2-2" package includes a lower corner ticket ($20 value) at Reliant Stadium in Houston for the "Battle of the Piney Woods" showdown with SFA Saturday October 23.
To take advantage of this exciting "2-2-2" offer, order your tickets now by going to the Bearkat tickets page on www.gobearkats.com or call (936) 294-1729.
Fans also may visit the Sam Houston athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House located in the south end zone of Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
