Aug. 13, 2009
NORFOLK, Va. -- The shoulder pads came on and so did the competition at Thursday's practice at the Powhatan Practice fields. Included in the Monarchs' fourth workout of the 2009 preseason were punt returns, third down situations, and second and long drills.
"Practice today was very interesting today," said head coach Bobby Wilder. "There's a lot of competition for jobs right now. Guys are really competing and they are going to and through the whistles."
"Everyone has been getting a lot reps," said redshirt freshman quarterback Bobby Cooper (Davidsonville, Md. ). "We're trying to make the right decisions and present our case to the coaches why we should start. Everyone is competing with eachother."
"I was very excited about the level of competition today," said Wilder. "Today was the first time I've seen them compete back and forth to the point where someone won a drill and the other guy wasn't happy and went back at them."
While the Monarchs are competing for those coveted starting spots, preseason camp is as much about getting the newcomers into the fold.
"We are all returning," said Cooper of the quarterback unit, which also includes fellow redshirt freshmen Tommy Reamon (Newport News, Va.) and Dan Pitts (Va. Beach, Va.), as well as JUCO transfer Thomas DeMarco (Palm Desert, Calif.), "so we can help out the new receivers and running backs. They are constantly trying to learn the playbook and that's what we need to do as quarterbacks is bring them up to speed with everyone else. The people that are the leaders at their positions are doing the same thing. I see it everyday."
With the competition heating up and the pads going tomorrow, it is perfect timing.
"They need to play some tackle football right now," said Wilder.
MONARCH MOMENTS: Putting the Student into Student-Athlete: BCS-transfer Jason Fuller (Va. Beach, Va.) has entered camp having already obtained his undergraduate degree. The 6-5, 255 pound defensive end graduated this past spring with a degree in commerce with a concentration in finance and management along with a minor in government from the prestigious McIntire School of Commerce. Fuller is now concentrating on getting his master's degree in Public Administration. What would Fuller ultimately like to do with his degree? "My dream job would be an investment banker with Goldman Sachs," said Fuller. "But playing for the NFL... that would be my ultimate dream job."
Field Of Dreams: "I had never actually been inside," said Cooper about Foreman Field. Prior to yesterday's media day, many of the Monarchs had only gotten glimpses of their game day home. "Last year I went to the top of the parking garage and looked down at it, but the turf wasn't down and the seats weren't in. It's come a long way. Just being able to envision it being packed and everything...It really jacked everyone up than they already are." Fuller, who has seen his share of stadiums during his career, was amazed at the facilities at Old Dominion when he was looking at the school. "I've seen a lot of programs," noted Fuller, "and its better than even some D I-A programs."
Student Tickets: Student tickets for the first Monarchs football game on Sept. 5 will be available at the Ted Constant Convocation Center box office beginning 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24. Tickets from the Ted can only be obtained on this date. Lining up and/or camping out will be allowed on the lawn behind the convocation center. Student tickets will also be available at the Campus Information Center (CIC) in Webb University Center beginning Tuesday, Aug. 25. Prior to the start of the fall semester, the CIC will be open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, but closed Saturday and Sunday. Student ticket distribution for the first game will end at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Student seating is limited, so students are encouraged to pick up their tickets by the deadline. Any remaining student tickets will be made available for sale to the general public beginning 10 a.m. on Thursday of game week.
Tickets for home games throughout the rest of the season will be available on the Monday two weeks prior to the game through 6 p.m. Wednesday of game week. Tickets may be picked up at the Constant Center box office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets will also be available at the CIC from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Student tickets are first-come, first-served.
A current ODU student ID must be validated for ticket pickup and for entry into Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. One free ticket per student ID will be issued. Students may also purchase a second ticket for $10.
Student tickets are nontransferable. The resale or attempted resale of a ticket at a higher price than that appearing on the ticket is grounds for seizure and voiding without compensation. Tickets that are lost, stolen, counterfeited or obtained from an unauthorized source will be voided.
For more information about student tickets, call 683-5914.
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