BLUEBENGAL
Senior Member
http://clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050415/SPORTS030101/504150342/1025/SPORTS
April 15, 2005
JSU spring practice to end with no fanfare
Canceled Blue-White game replaced with today's scrimmage
By Mark Alexander
[email protected]
Michael Robinson, an avid Jackson State fan, had been hearing for weeks that the Tigers weren't going to have their annual Blue-White Spring game this year.
So, it was no surprise to Robinson when it became official earlier this week that indeed there would be no spring game.
Instead, the Tigers, low on players this spring, will play an hour-long scrimmage today at 4 p.m. on the practice field on campus.
"I was hoping the information I was getting was wrong," said Robinson, 33, of Jackson. "But it wasn't. It's disappointing. I believe the spring game is for the fans. If at all possible, you should have one."
JSU coach James Bell, who has guided the Tigers to a 6-17 record in his first two seasons, would prefer to have a spring game, too. He says it's just not feasible this year, though, because of the low numbers.
JSU has had anywhere from 50-58 players participating in spring drills. The Tigers have only eight offensive lineman and eight defensive lineman, making it difficult to split up into teams.
Obviously, it takes five players to form an offensive line.
"It's strictly because of the numbers," Bell said.
Bell doesn't anticipate lack of bodies being a problem this fall. He signed 19 players in February, 17 of which are expected to join the team in August.
Hinds Community College quarterback Terrance Matthews and Holmes CC running back Jeremy Kitchens, two of the players among that group, are already on campus and participating in spring practice.
There's also a few players who had to sit out this season because of academic issues who are slated to join the team. And Bell also is also banking on a handful of transfers coming on board.
"We'll have at least 25 new players coming in the fall," Bell said.
The school will not lose any money by not having a spring game, says JSU athletic director Roy Culberson. A crowd of less than 1,000 showed up at last year's spring game at Newell Field.
"We made just enough to cover the transportation expense for getting the team over there," Culberson said.
"The spring game hasn't been a fund-raising event for us, although we would like for it to be in the future."
Bell says the first team offense will go against the first team defense initially, then "we'll roll groups out there."
Cletis Gordon, who has been rotating back-and-forth between cornerback and wide receiver, knows that's not nearly as easy for an offensive lineman to do.
"I would like to have a spring game, and I know most of the other players would, too," Gordon said.
"Unfortunately, the numbers aren't there. We don't have enough to split up into two teams.
"It really doesn't matter, though. As long as we get to have the offense and the defense go against each other, I'm satisfied with that."
April 15, 2005
JSU spring practice to end with no fanfare
Canceled Blue-White game replaced with today's scrimmage
By Mark Alexander
[email protected]
Michael Robinson, an avid Jackson State fan, had been hearing for weeks that the Tigers weren't going to have their annual Blue-White Spring game this year.
So, it was no surprise to Robinson when it became official earlier this week that indeed there would be no spring game.
Instead, the Tigers, low on players this spring, will play an hour-long scrimmage today at 4 p.m. on the practice field on campus.
"I was hoping the information I was getting was wrong," said Robinson, 33, of Jackson. "But it wasn't. It's disappointing. I believe the spring game is for the fans. If at all possible, you should have one."
JSU coach James Bell, who has guided the Tigers to a 6-17 record in his first two seasons, would prefer to have a spring game, too. He says it's just not feasible this year, though, because of the low numbers.
JSU has had anywhere from 50-58 players participating in spring drills. The Tigers have only eight offensive lineman and eight defensive lineman, making it difficult to split up into teams.
Obviously, it takes five players to form an offensive line.
"It's strictly because of the numbers," Bell said.
Bell doesn't anticipate lack of bodies being a problem this fall. He signed 19 players in February, 17 of which are expected to join the team in August.
Hinds Community College quarterback Terrance Matthews and Holmes CC running back Jeremy Kitchens, two of the players among that group, are already on campus and participating in spring practice.
There's also a few players who had to sit out this season because of academic issues who are slated to join the team. And Bell also is also banking on a handful of transfers coming on board.
"We'll have at least 25 new players coming in the fall," Bell said.
The school will not lose any money by not having a spring game, says JSU athletic director Roy Culberson. A crowd of less than 1,000 showed up at last year's spring game at Newell Field.
"We made just enough to cover the transportation expense for getting the team over there," Culberson said.
"The spring game hasn't been a fund-raising event for us, although we would like for it to be in the future."
Bell says the first team offense will go against the first team defense initially, then "we'll roll groups out there."
Cletis Gordon, who has been rotating back-and-forth between cornerback and wide receiver, knows that's not nearly as easy for an offensive lineman to do.
"I would like to have a spring game, and I know most of the other players would, too," Gordon said.
"Unfortunately, the numbers aren't there. We don't have enough to split up into two teams.
"It really doesn't matter, though. As long as we get to have the offense and the defense go against each other, I'm satisfied with that."
