MOBILE, Ala. - The following is in response to questions from fans and supporters of the University of South Alabama football program regarding the timing of the Jaguars' annual spring game, which will take place on Wednesday, from Director of Athletics Dr. Joel Erdmann.

"There are a number of reasons we are playing on Wednesday night," stated Erdmann.  "The main factor in the decision of the timing of the spring game, and the entire spring practice schedule, is Coach [Joey] Jones' desire to do what he feels is best for the football program.  It was his wish that spring practice end prior to the start of spring break to allow ample time for strength and conditioning and rehabilitation of injuries that have occurred since practice began.

"That left us with choices of when to play spring game.  Saturday, March 6 conflicted with the start of the Sun Belt Conference basketball tournament, in which both teams are playing.  And students will be gone on Saturday, March 13 because of spring break, creating the necessity to look at a weeknight game.  Initially we looked at Thursday, but there would be a conflict with the Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner, and the SBC Championship games are on Tuesday so unfortunately we didn't have a better option.

"We wanted to be mindful to provide the best opportunity to all our fans to see the game.  We understand that out-of-town fans might be hindered making it there, but wanted to make sure that students were on campus when the spring game took place.  In future years we will attempt to play the spring game on a Saturday if possible and avoid to the best of our ability any conflicts which may force our fans to choose one event over another."

USA's spring football game, which is being sponsored by the Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic, will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.  The stadium parking lot will open and tailgating will begin at 3 p.m., while gates will open at 5 p.m.  Admission to the game, as well as parking, is free and open to the public.

The Jaguars averaged more than 18,000 fans per game while going 7-0 in their inaugural season in the fall, with the second-largest crowd of 23,683 recorded at USA's Thursday night regular-season finale, a 35-0 victory over Huntingdon (Ala.) College.

Once students return from spring break, USA football will have over a month to devote to its strength training program and injury rehabilitation before spring semester finals begin.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872), and football season-ticket holders will have an opportunity to choose where they will sit at Ladd-Peebles Stadium during the 2010 campaign when a special select a seat event begins on March 10 at 4 p.m. at the stadium prior to the program's annual spring game.

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