Feb. 10, 2012

By Zak Gilbert
Athletic Media Relations

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The last time Jim McElwain stood on a football field, Jan. 9, he was celebrating Alabama’s second national championship in three years.

The next step he takes on a football field won’t be a simple stride. He’ll be taking a significant leap in launching a new era in the rich history of football at Colorado State.

That step takes place March 21, when CSU begins its first spring practice under the new head coach. The majority of the 15 allowable practices under NCAA rules will take place at the Rams’ on-campus outdoor facility south of Moby Arena.

Times will be announced at a later date, but most practices will take place in the afternoon. As always, times, dates and locations are subject to change with little or no notice. The majority of most practices are expected to be closed to the public and media. Scrimmages at the stadium, however, will be open, on April 6, April 15 and April 21.

One of the highlights of the schedule is the April 13 night practice at Infinity Park in the Village of Glendale, in downtown Denver. That practice is free and open to the public. The full, tentative schedule, including the April 21 spring game:

Wed., March 21: Practice #1, on-campus practice facility
Fri., March 23: Practice #2, on-campus practice facility
Mon., March 26: Practice #3, on-campus practice facility
Wed., March 28: Practice #4, on-campus practice facility
Fri., March 30: Practice #5, on-campus practice facility
Mon., April 2: Practice #6, on-campus practice facility
Wed., April 4: Practice #7, on-campus practice facility
Fri., April 6: Practice #8, (SCRIMMAGE) Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium
Mon., April 9: Practice #9, on-campus practice facility
Wed., April 11: Practice #10, on-campus practice facility
Fri., April 13: Practice #11, Infinity Park, Glendale (Denver Metro Area)
Sun., April 15: Practice #12 (SCRIMMAGE), Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium
Tue., April 17: Practice #13, on-campus practice facility
Thu., April 18: Practice #14, on-campus practice facility
Sat., April 21: Spring game, Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium