Back to Football Party, other activities planned for training camp

[Panthers_Lover]

Panthers return to Wofford, Spartanburg July 25

‘Back to Football Kickoff Party,’ Mayor’s Ball Run highlight opening

 

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Come next week, it will be back to football again as the NFL’s Carolina Panthers return to Wofford College for summer training camp – the team’s 19th season in Spartanburg.

 

The team reports to camp Thursday, July 25, and the first practice will be held from 6:15 to 8:20 p.m. Friday, July 26, in Gibbs Stadium on Wofford’s campus.

 

Wofford again will host the free Back to Football Kickoff Party from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday (July 26) at Gibbs Stadium, in partnership with the Panthers, the City of Spartanburg, the Spartanburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Spartanburg County Parks Department and Team Spartanburg Sports Council.

 

The event will feature the third annual Mayor’s Ball Run hosted by Spartanburg Mayor Junie White and will include representatives from the 12 other municipalities in the county along with local youths.

 

“The Back to Football Kickoff Party is a must-do for Panthers fans,” Riley Fields, Panthers director of community relations, says. “This free, family-style football bash features live entertainment, interactive activities for the entire family, and the thrill of watching practice in the high-energy setting of Wofford’s Gibbs Stadium.”

 

Performances by the Panthers’ TopCats cheerleaders, mascot Sir Purr and Purrcussion drum line are scheduled, along with face painting, food, an autograph wall for fans to sign, and live music by regional favorite Grand Strand. Pete Yanity of WSPA News Channel 7 will host. Admission is free.

 

The ball run will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Spartanburg City Hall and will travel down Church Street to Evins Street and on to Gibbs Stadium, where Mayor Pro Tem Jerome Rice officially will proclaim Panthers Training Camp open in a ceremony at 6 p.m.

 

“Spartanburg is proud to host the Carolina Panthers each summer,” White says. “The city benefits greatly from the Panthers’ presence here each year. The team brings people to the city who might not otherwise come here, and gives us the opportunity to share with a large number of visitors the great quality of life found in the city.”

 

Training camp runs through Tuesday, Aug. 13, and the public may attend practices free of charge to see their favorites – from third-year quarterback Cam Newtown to rookies here for the first time. (See the schedule below for specific open practice times, subject to change without notice.)

 

“Anticipation for the upcoming Carolina Panthers season is at an all-time high,” Fields says. “Training camp provides a great fan friendly opportunity for fans to see their favorite players up close and in person as the season gets under way.”

 

The Panthers plan a number of special free, family-oriented experiences throughout training camp.

 

On Saturday, July 27, they will hold Play 60 Day from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on the intramural field at Wofford, near Gibbs Stadium. Children of all ages will enjoy the Kids Combine that promotes the NFL’s Play 60 youth fitness initiative through a variety of interactive football drills. Making special appearances will be the Panthers’ official mascot Sir Purr and the TopCats cheerleaders. The program is free.

 

On T-shirt Tuesdays (each Tuesday during camp), following practice, Panthers players will give away a select number of official training camp T-shirts to fans.

 

Academy Sports + Outdoors will present Panthers Pals during most open practice sessions. The program offers children ages 6 to 13 an opportunity to watch part of practice from field level and then spend time with a player afterward. Kids register at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Kids Field located outside the entrance to the practice fields. Five names are randomly selected about 30 minutes before the end of practice. Children selected will receive a Panthers Pals T-shirt and be escorted to a special viewing area to watch the conclusion of practice. The program is free.

 

Throughout training camp, children and families are invited to make the Academy Sports + Outdoor Kids Field part of their training camp experience.  The field offers kids and families the opportunity to bring their own football, play catch and show off their superstar moves before, during and after practice.

 

Here is the practice and events schedule, subject to change without notice:

 

Friday, July 26 – 4-9 p.m., Back to Football Party (Gibbs Stadium)

Friday, July 26 – 6:15-8:20 p.m. (Gibbs Stadium)

Saturday, July 27 – 1:30-3:30 p.m., Play 60 Day (intramural field)

Saturday, July 27 – 2:30-4:50 p.m. (Panthers Pals)

Sunday, July 28 – 9:15-11:35 a.m.

Monday, July 29 – 9:15-11:35 a.m. (Panthers Pals)

Tuesday, July 30 – 9:15-11:35 a.m. (Panthers Pals, T-Shirt Tuesday)

Wednesday, July 31 – no practice

Thursday, Aug. 1 – 2:30-4:50 p.m. (Panthers Pals)

Friday, Aug. 2 – 9:15-11:35 a.m. (Panthers Pals)

Saturday, Aug. 3 – 3:30 p.m., Fan Fest (Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.)

Sunday, Aug. 4 – no practice

Monday, Aug. 5 – 2:30-4:50 p.m. (Panthers Pals)

Tuesday, Aug. 6 – 9:15-11:35 a.m. (Panthers Pals, T-Shirt Tuesday)

Wednesday, Aug. 7 – 9:15-11:35 a.m. (Panthers Pals)

Thursday, Aug. 8 – 9:15-11:35 a.m. (Panthers Pals)

Friday, Aug. 9 – 8 p.m., Pre-Season game, Panthers vs. Bears (Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.)

Saturday, Aug. 10 – no practice

Sunday, Aug. 11 – 6:15-8:20 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 12 – 2:30-4:50 p.m. (Panthers Pals)

Tuesday, Aug. 13 – 9-11:20 a.m. (T-Shirt Tuesday)

 

For information about the Back to Football Kickoff Party or other events, contact Laura Corbin, director of news services at Wofford College, at [email protected] or 864-597-4180.

 

(Yeah, that's me.)