CLINTON, SC – One week out from the Presbyterian College football team’s 2022 season opener and the dawn of a new era on the sidelines behind first-year helmer Steve Englehartthe Blue Hose celebrated a historic day for the institution on Saturday afternoon, engaging in an innovative and jovial Fan Day event at Bailey Memorial Stadium.
Among the bustling lineup of activities that were provided free of charge to all Blue Hose fans, PC concluded the day’s agenda with a full intersquad scrimmage at Crocker Field, the site of the team’s first home game on Sept. 10 against Virginia University of Lynchburg.
All Presbyterian student-athletes and coaches were on hand earlier in the morning outside the Ross E. Templeton Center in commemoration of the summer’s Championship Spirit Initiative that helped raise over $8 million for athletic facility renovation. A groundbreaking ceremony held at the future site of the aforementioned facilities kicked off the Fan Day schedule, attended by University President Matt vandenBerg and athletic director Rob Acunto.
“We believe that athletics programs are an irreplaceable part of the PC experience”, exclaimed President vandenBerg moments before formally declaring the green light on the project. “Just as in days past, our student-athletes are some of our best and brightest scholars, and our former athletes are among our most engaged and successful alumni. Put simply, we were able to spark this initiative because we believe that the student- athletes who come to PC and buy into our championship spirit and culture deserve the very best”.
Once attention shifted to Bailey Memorial, all Blue Hose football players and staff conversed with fans in attendance via meet-and-greet and autograph sessions. Additionally, PC’s official 2022 schedule poster was handed out to all spectators, as well as concessions and all Presbyterian-related merchandise.
Fans were able to purchase season tickets for PC’s fall campaign at the event, as well as single-game seats for any home football meetings on the year. Face painting and balloon animal activities were on hand for all children to participate outside the stadium, as well as a bouncy house.
“Today was a big mental day for us, putting our players in a lot of different game-like situations on the field. I thought they handled it the right way and were fully in tune to what we were asking from them”, remarked Coach Englehart post-scrimmage. “Our fan support this afternoon was terrific, and I know that our players enjoyed it as much as the fans hopefully did as well.”
The Blue Hose officially begin the age of Englehart next Saturday in a visiting capacity at Austin Peay. Kickoff in Clarksville, Tenn. is scheduled for 7:00 pm before Presbyterian comes home the following weekend to break in the 20th season of play at Bailey Memorial.