Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh takes field for first practice Wednesday afternoon
8/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
“There is no place I’d rather be than right here on this field with our players and our coaching staff,” said Lehigh fifth year head coach Pete Lembo.
The team actually reported on Tuesday for testing and meetings, but the squad took the field for the first time on Wednesday under hazy sunshine and humid conditions. Lembo likes what he saw early on from the newcomers. “There is an awful lot of enthusiasm within this group,” he explained. “They are excited to be a part of the Lehigh football family and are looking forward to helping us continue the winning tradition of Lehigh football.”
Freshmen hit the field for their inaugural Lehigh practice at 1:45, while the veterans joined them at 2:30. Senior captain Anthony Graziani spoke on behalf of many of his teammates when he told a television crew that he has been anticipating this day for some time. “Every team sets goals at the beginning of each year,” the linebacker said. “Today, we get going and begin working on the field to achieve our goals this year.”
“The vast majority of the guys are already in shape,” Lembo pointed out. “They are ready to go, so we can spend our preseason working on fundamentals, technique, and schemes, and not spend these days getting into shape.”
Lehigh will conduct its practices at Kaufman Fields through Sunday. Kaufman Fields are located adjacent to Goodman Stadium (to the east), and behind the Lehigh softball field. “I am extremely pleased with the conditions of Kaufman Fields,” Lembo said. “These fields are in such great condition. [The facilities staff and grounds crew] have done a terrific job in getting these fields ready to go.”
Once the Philadelphia Eagles depart, the Mountain Hawks will shift their operation over to the John C. Whitehead Practice Fields, beginning Monday, August 15.
Lehigh will hold scrimmages on both Saturday, August 20 (in Goodman Stadium) and Saturday, August 27 (at night, on the Whitehead Practice Fields). The scrimmages are free and open to the public.
Lehigh Football Tentative Preseason Practice Schedule* Day Date Time Wed. August 10 2:30 pm^ Thurs. August 11 1:45 pm^ Fri. August 12 1:45 pm^ Sat. August 13 1:45 pm^ Sun. August 14 1:45 pm^ Mon. August 15 1:45 pm Tues. August 16 1:45 pm Wed. August 17 8:15 am 7:30 pm Thurs. August 18 1:45 pm Fri. August 19 8:15 am 7:30 pm Sat. August 20 1:45 pm& Sun. August 21 8:15 am 7:30 pm Mon. August 22 1:45 pm Tues. August 23 8:15 am 7:30 pm Wed. August 24 1:45 pm Thurs. August 25 8:15 am 8:30 pm Fri. August 26 1:45 pm Sat. August 27 8:15 am 7:30 pm% Sun. August 28 1:45 pm *subject to change due to weather and other factors ^practice at Kaufman Fields &scrimmage inside Goodman Stadium %scrimmage at Whitehead Practice Fields
