BLOG 3: Spring season never gets dull … even for veteran coaches

Ferris State University head coach Jeff Pierce addresses his team during a practice session (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

By Sandy Gholston

BIG RAPIDS – It’s that time of the year for coaches and players representing Ferris State University’s football team.

Spring practice commenced this week and head coach Jeff Pierce, his players and assistant coaches are working hard to stay on their developmental pace prior to the summer. As is the case with spring practice, a lot of the work this time of the year will be to develop and evaluate guys vying to replace the departed seniors from the previous fall’s squad.

This spring is no different for Pierce, entering his 15th year as head coach, and his staff. So, that development of the unknown and an opportunity to watch emerging young players begin to blossom makes this time of the year special.

“Spring Ball is an exciting time of the year where we have a lot of guys who are getting out here and showing what they can do to prove themselves,” said Pierce, whose squad was 6-5 overall in 2008 and ended with a record of 5-5 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. “We know we’re going to have a lot of guys who are out there competing. We saw it (during winter workouts) and we know we’re going to continue to see it in the spring.”

Rules permit 15 spring practices and Ferris hopes to use them all (weather permitting) during the run up to its Crimson and Gold Spring Game which is scheduled for April 24 at Top Taggart Field beginning at 6 p.m.

For more on the spring game, visit:
http://www.ferris.edu/sports/football/09news/09springpractice.htm

2009 Spring Practice Schedule

Practice #1 - Tuesday, March 31, 3:30 p.m.
Practice #2 - Thursday, April 2, 3:30 p.m.
Practice #3 - Friday, April 3, 3:30 p.m.
Practice #4 - Saturday, April 4, 8 a.m.
Practice #5 - Tuesday, April 7, 3:30 p.m.
Practice #6 - Thursday, April 9, 8:15 a.m.
Practice #7 - Thursday, April 9, 3:30 p.m.
Practice #8 - Friday, April 10, 11 a.m. (Scrimmage at Top Taggart Field)
Practice #9 - Tuesday, April 14, 3:30 p.m.
Practice #10 - Thursday, April 16, 3:30 p.m.
Practice #11 - Friday, April 17, 3:30 p.m.
Practice #12 - Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m. (Scrimmage at Top Taggart Field)
Practice #13 - Tuesday, April 21, 3:30 p.m.
Practice #14 - Thursday, April 23, 3:30 p.m.
Practice #15 - Friday, April 24, 6 p.m. (Annual Crimson and Gold Spring Game)

NOTE -- All Eastern (ET) start times and locations are subject to change.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com