Valparaiso will open spring football practice next Friday, March 18, at Brown Field, for the first of 15 workouts during the months of March and April.

“I am looking forward to our second spring practice,” head coach Dale Carlson said.  “Our players have been working very hard this offseason.  I am excited to see their workout progress translate into better play on the football field.”

Carlson has 56 players returning from the fall, his first season at the helm of the Brown and Gold.

“Each of our players gets a thorough evaluation during this time period,” Carlson added.  “We will have each returning player on video and this will determine what our initial depth chart looks like in August.  Of course, I am expecting our incoming recruits to compete in the fall as well.  We will expand our offensive and defensive concepts from last year.  These 15 practice opportunities are critical to allowing us teaching time without the pressure of game preparation.

The Crusaders will practice Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, in addition to Sunday, March 27.   Wednesday and Friday practices begin at 3:35 p.m. with Saturdays starting at 9:05 a.m.  Valpo will hold full scrimmages on April 2 and April 9 before wrapping up spring practice with the Brown-Gold spring game on April 16 at 11 a.m.  All practices and scrimmages, in addition to the spring game, are open to the public free of charge.

“Spring practice is a great time for a football program because it allows us to teach basics,” Carlson concluded.  “I am looking for our team to compete in everything we do over these 15 days and to set the tone for the preseason workouts leading into fall camp.”

Valparaiso will open the 2011 season at home on Sept. 3, hosting Franklin in a 7 p.m. kickoff.