The Valparaiso football program began preparation for the 2012 season today under the lights at 6:45 p.m. on Brown Field with its first official practice of the preseason.

The Crusaders reported to camp on Saturday afternoon and held their first team meeting yesterday evening.  Practice will ramp up throughout this week, with the first two-a-day session coming on Friday as Valpo prepares for the 2012 campaign.

The camp will include an intra-squad scrimmage on Brown Field open to the public for free on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 2:30 p.m., giving fans their first opportunity to see the 2012 Crusaders in action.  The regular season kicks off on Brown Field on Thursday night, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. against St. Joseph’s (Ind.).

"Our coaching staff is excited to get the 2012 season going,” said Crusader head coach Dale Carlson.  “We had a great off-season and a very productive spring practice.  Training camp will give our staff a good indication of where our team is at as we head into the 2012 season and the opener against St. Joseph's.  Our team is still young, but these young players got a lot of experience last year. I am looking for improvement as we head into camp and the 2012 season.”

Fans can follow updates from camp into the 2012 season by following Coach Carlson on Twitter (@valpofb) or by bookmarking his blog at http://blogs.valpo.edu/football.