VALDOSTA, Ga. – Defending national champion Valdosta State begins spring camp Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. at the VSU Athletic Fieldhouse practice fields. Practice is free throughout the spring and open to the public. Practice times and dates are subject to change without notice. The annual spring game is set for 11 a.m. on April 27 at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
The Blazers are under the direction of first year head coach
Gary Goff, who was hired from Tiffin University in Ohio, in January. The Blazers are coming off their fourth national championship in 2018 with a thrilling 49-47 victory over Ferris State in McKinney, Texas, in December. VSU went a school-record 14-0, winning its seventh Gulf South Conference title and first national championship since 2012.
VSU Assistant Athletic Director for Communications,
Kit Strief, sat down with Goff for a quick Q&A about his first spring camp in Titletown.
- How have the first few months gone for you as head coach for the Blazers?
The first few months have been a blast. Finalizing the staff, getting to know the players, and connecting with alumni have been my primary focus. The energy and excitement on our campus and in our community is amazing. It is easy to see why VSU is so special.
- Heading into spring camp, what would you like to see from the players initially?
Heading into spring camp, I want to see the team focus on improving every day both on and off the field. If we strive to get better at everything that we do day after day; then we have a chance to be a great football team.
- What have you learned about the team so far?
In my first few months here, I have learned that we have some tremendous talent on the team. The team has worked extremely hard in the off-season and they have refocused.
- Talk about your staff, what do each bring to the table?
I am very excited about my staff. The staff will bring energy, excitement, and discipline every day.
- What is the biggest thing you want to get out of your first spring camp heading into the summer?
This spring will be about the team learning our schemes on both sides of the ball. It will be important that we focus on being the most excited team, the most physical team, and the most discipline team.
- What position battles are you most looking forward to see during camp this spring?
During spring practice everyone will be getting plenty of reps. The position battles will be fun to figure out. We have a great deal of talent at each position and competition makes everyone better. I am sure we will have plenty of changes of the depth charts throughout spring practice.
The spring camp schedule is listed below. VSU begins defense of its national title Sept. 7 at Albany State and opens the 2019 home slate with Ohio Dominican on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m., at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
2019 Valdosta State Football Spring Schedule
March 28 4 p.m.
March 30 9 a.m.
April 2 4 p.m.
April 4 4 p.m.
April 6 8:30 a.m.
April 9 4 p.m.
April 11 4 p.m.
April 13 8 a.m. (Scrimmage 1)
April 16 4 p.m.
April 18 4 p.m.
April 19 6 a.m. (Scrimmage 2)
April 23 4 p.m.
April 25 4 p.m.
April 26 4 p.m.
April 27 Annual Spring Game 11 a.m. (Bazemore-Hyder Stadium)
