The Dale Carlson era of Valparaiso University football begins on Wednesday afternoon (March 24) as the Crusaders take to the field for the first of 15 days of spring practice.

“I am really looking forward to the beginning of my first spring practice as the head football coach at Valparaiso University,” Carlson said.  “I have seen the players workout in the weight room and in our conditioning sessions.  Our staff has had the team in the classroom teaching them the basics of our offense, defense, and kicking game.  It’s now time to see how the team responds to our teaching methods on the football field.

The Crusaders will practice Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.  The Wednesday and Friday workouts will take place from 3:40 p.m. until 5:50 p.m., with the exception of April 2.  That practice will be from 8:30 a.m. through 10:45 a.m. Saturday sessions will be from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. with the exception of April 3.  There will be no practice that day.  In stead, Valpo will hold practice on Sunday, March 28 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.  The annual Brown vs. Gold spring game will wrap up spring workouts on April 24 at 11 a.m. at Brown Field.

“Spring practice is a great time for the players,” Carlson added.  “There is no pressure as far as game preparation is concerned.  The focus is on each player getting better from day one through day 15.”

With 73 players from last year’s squad back, Valpo will be looking for leaders to emerge during the five week period as well as working on implementing Carlson’s new offense.  Defensively the Crusaders will be working on implementing new schemes as well.

“I really like spring practice,” Carlson concluded.  “You really see how effective your teaching methods are in spring practice as you measure the progress of the team from the first day through the spring game.”