Sports > March 6, 2008

By Jeff Merski | Senior writer

As we approach Spring Break, men’s basketball season has nearly ended, along with the period since our arrival on campus back in August to witness our two major revenue sports compete. However, just because basketball season is coming to a close, it doesn’t mean fans should just hold off on cheering for the Deacs until the football team takes the field next season.

There are still plenty of reasons to go out and support the Deacs in the spring.

One major reason is spring football practices. Like all of the football team’s practices during the regular season, these sessions are open to the public in the spring as well. The team often practices at their on-campus facility, and spectators can line the wall alongside the Manchester Athletic Center and watch the Deacs practice.

With Head Coach Jim Grobe’s policy of generally redshirting freshmen, these sessions can give spectators a chance to see some players that will have the chance to get some playing time next season, such as freshman running back Brandon Pendergrass, who looks to join redshirt freshman Josh Adams as a featured back next season.

Also, there are several players in next fall’s recruiting class that have already enrolled on campus – freshmen offensive linemen Chance Raines, Joe Looney and Garrick Williams and tight end J.T. Dixon. This will be the first chance for the Deacon faithful to see these players wear the black and gold.

Spring practice culminates with the annual Spring Game that will be held on April 19. In this simulated game, the Deacs scrimmage against each other in an environment conducive to a game and is a well-attended event on campus each spring. If you can’t make it out to any of the practices, then try to head out on April 19 to get ready for what promises to be an exciting year for the football team.

If you’ve never been to a baseball game at Hooks Stadium, I encourage you to head down there at some point this year. Friday afternoon games against ACC opponents are a great environment, with many students relaxing along the right field foul line to watch the Deacs play. The atmosphere at Hooks is very cozy, and there honestly isn’t a bad seat in the house.

This is the last season for the Deacs at Hooks Stadium, as they move over to Ernie Shore Field next to BB&T Field next season in a much-needed facilities upgrade. Still, with this being the last season at Hooks, head on over to the stadium after class with your friends to catch some sun and watch the Deacs compete against a tough ACC schedule this year.

The defending national champion soccer team also has a spring schedule, with four games to be played at Spry Stadium in late March and early April. ACC Rivals Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill come to Winston-Salem on March 20 and April 4 respectively, with High Point and New Mexico also competing against the Deacs at Spry. If you want a sneak peak at a team that could bring back the College Cup to Winston-Salem next December, head on out and watch the Deacs. The women’s soccer team also plays against Davidson at home in April and hosts the ACC Spring Tournament at BB&T Field as well in April.

Both the men’s (No. 17) and women’s (No. 19) tennis teams are ranked nationally right now, and with the weather warming up as we move into spring, many matches will be held outdoors at Leighton Tennis Stadium next to Reynolds Gymnasium. Watching tennis in person is exponentially better than watching it on television and the Deacs should be very competitive this year on the court.

Just because the two major sports on campus this year are pretty much done doesn’t mean there aren’t other athletic activities going on around campus.

Many of these student-athletes live in the dorms with you and are in your classes, so make an effort to and support these athletes as they try and earn glory in their sport.