(August 17, 2005) ?C The 2005 Fordham University football Rams received a surprise yesterday as they wrapped up their first week of camp. Head coach Ed Foley announced that the double practice session slated for Wednesday would be held on the newly refurbished Jack Coffey Field, marking the first event to be held on the field since it underwent an eight-month renovation.
The new Jack Coffey Field features a playing surface of FieldturfTM for both the football and baseball fields along with new lights, new baseball dugouts and a new grandstand for baseball. In addition to hosting the football and baseball Rams, the newly surfaced Jack Coffey Field will also host the men??s and women??s soccer teams and be available for the intramural and club sports programs.
Work is not completed on the complex as workers were dismantling the old scoreboard and tying up loose ends on the field during the practice.
??I was pleased with the intensity of the practice,?? said Foley. ??The guys were excited about practicing on our new field and the grounds crew did a great job getting it ready for us. But we made some mistakes on both sides of the ball that will be costly if they are made in a game.??
The morning session consisted of a brief scrimmage with the offense battling the defense. Taking reps with the first team offense on Wednesday were quarterback Derric Daniels, running backs James Prydatko and Jamaal Hunte, tight end James Caffarello, wide receivers Rashawn Haynes and Mike Melvin and offensive linemen Mike Bottiglieri, Mike Sabatini, Kevin Strahle, and Ryan Buzzelli.
On the defensive side of the ball, linemen Edward Gordon, Jay Edwards, Marques Brown and Cory Terzis; linebackers Marcus Taylor, Ryan Kleve and Josh Jenrette; and defensive backs Tommie Stephens, Greg Whelan, Chris Anzano, Bruce Lee and Carl Garritano all saw action with the first team.
Following the practice session, Fr. Joseph Currie, S.J., the team??s chaplain, spoke with the team.
Foley also announced that the following players have left the team: Alex Kabel, Dennis McGuire, and Frank Berchie.
Practices will continue to alternate single sessions with two-a-days until August 24th. The Rams will hold a scrimmage on Thursday, August 25th at 7:30 p.m. on Jack Coffey Field and will then have single sessions of practice through Sunday, August 28th when the Rams break camp.
Fordham will open its 2005 season on Saturday, September 3rd when they travel to Kingston, RI to face the University of Rhode Island Rams in Meade Stadium at noon. For ticket information contact the Fordham Ticket Office at 718-817-4300.
Photos from the first practice on Jack Coffey Field.
