SLU football team prepares to report for camp
Southeastern Louisiana cornerback Robert Alford gets his fingers on a pass thrown by Southern Miss quarterback Austin Davis last season. Alford and the Lions are scheduled to report for preseason camp Tuesday.
HAMMOND — The speaking tour is finished. No more spring practice. No more waiting.
Ron Roberts’ first preseason camp at Southeastern Louisiana begins Tuesday when players report to campus.
Opening its 10th season of football since reinstating the program in 2003, Southeastern welcomes back 50 letterwinners and 21 starters for Roberts, who won 47 games and four conference titles in five seasons at Division II Delta State.
Players will begin checking into the Dugas Center for Southeastern Athletics at 9 a.m. before going through meetings with school officials. They’ll also pick up their equipment and take physicals, and their first team meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Southeastern will hold its first practice of camp at 4:50 p.m. Wednesday, wearing helmets and shorts. The Lions practice at 4:50 p.m. Thursday, again in helmets and shorts. They’ll put on pads for the first time on Friday before working in full gear Sunday.
The first of two-a-day session is scheduled for Aug. 8, and the first of three scrimmages is set for Aug. 11.
All practices are open to the public.
Southeastern tied for fifth in the Southland Conference coaches’ preseason poll, behind Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin, Central Arkansas and McNeese State.
The Lions tied with Northwestern State.
Southeastern begins its season on Sept. 1 at Missouri. The Lions face South Dakota State in their home opener Sept. 8 at Strawberry Stadium.
Other home games include McNeese State (Sept. 22), Northwestern State (Oct. 13), Central Arkansas (Oct. 27) and Stephen F. Austin (Nov. 10).