GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Most North Dakota football fans will get their first chance to see a Bubba Schweigert-led Green and White team during Saturday's annual Spring Game at the Alerus Center. The game will take on more of a situational scrimmage than an actual head-to-head contest between two teams like in years past, but Schweigert expects that 50-60 plays will be run during the final full-team session of his first spring practices at the helm of the UND football program.
“Spring games are always exciting. Now, our format will be a little different this time around due to our numbers, but the guys are excited to get back out in front of their fans,” Schweigert said. “We have strived to get better each day from the start of practices back in late March and I have seen good progress. We still have a ways to go, but I look forward to getting out on the Alerus Center turf Saturday and see how our guys respond under the lights.”
Fans will get to see around 90 minutes of live football starting at 1 p.m. Those situations will feature the offense vs. the defense and range from red zone opportunities, third-down scenarios, goal-line plays and two-minute drills with about a dozen plays being run in each one.
Prior to the game, the annual kids' clinic will be held as kids will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of athletic drills with some of their favorite UND student-athletes. This free event is open to all kids in Eighth grade and younger and begins at 11:30 a.m. Registration opens at 11 a.m. at the main entrance of the Alerus Center (Door No. 1). Comfortable clothing appropriate for athletic activities is recommended, but no cleats will be permitted on the turf. Parents will be required to fill out a release form and waiver of liability in person.
Parking and tailgating is free on Saturday and lots will open at 8 a.m. While there is no tailgate competition or local restaurant food sampling this year, fans are encouraged to come out, enjoy the spring weather and tailgate with their fellow UND football supporters. In addition, fans with season-long tailgate spaces will have the opportunity to renew those spaces for 2014.
Saturday will also mark the first day parents can sign up their children for the 2014-15 membership year of Jr. Champions, the official UND Athletics kids' club. Membership (which previously cost $25/year) will be completely free in 2014-15, with thanks to the generous support of presenting sponsors, U.S. Bank and Midco Sports Network.
Following the Spring Game, which should conclude no later than 2:30 p.m., fans will be able to come down to the field and meet the team and coaching staff. Fans are encouraged to bring items to be autographed and markers will be provided.
— Go UND —
