The Presbyterian College football fanbase turned up in large numbers on Thursday night for the annual Blue Hose Fan Day sponsored by Self-Regional Healthcare.
Conducted at Bailey Memorial Stadium – the home of PC Football over the past two-plus decades – Fan Day was a jovial event complete with live music, concessions, concourse activities, autograph sessions with student-athletes, and an intersquad scrimmage to cap things off.
With one week left in the 2024 preseason, head coach Steve Englehart’s crew offered up a glimpse into PC’s 112th season of football with a one-hour period of practice in front of the Bailey Memorial audience.
Englehart’s third year with the Blue Hose will begin Thursday with a visit to Mercer at 7 PM. The Blue Hose will make their 2024 home debut two weeks later after also traveling to Erskine, welcoming Virginia-Lynchburg on September 14.
WORDS FROM COACH ENGLEHART
“Today was a very productive day, not just from the players’ standpoint but also because we had such a great turnout from our fans and the Clinton community. Our guys are always motivated to get this program where it needs to go, and part of that is down to the support that they’re shown every week from our fans.
“I think that it’s been one of the smoothest preseason camps that I can remember. Today, while it wasn’t a traditional scrimmage, we were able to run 78 plays. Now, we turn the attention to Mercer, who will certainly be a quality opponent but we’ll have our guys ready to get out there and fight like they always do.”
The first Fan Day of its kind to be held in the evening, Thursday’s event offered up numerous activities for both children and adults alike. Among them was the aforementioned meet-and-greet with PC’s players and an outdoor concert from local singer/songwriter Audrey Adams.
Season tickets for the 2024 campaign – as well as single-game seats for any of PC’s six home games this year – are still available.
MERCER — Game 1, away
Dowling, Standley Named To Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Teams
PHILADELPHIA – Seniors Isaac Dowling and Ken Standley reaped additional preseason honors when the linebacker duo were both lauded with preseason all-America accolades by Stats Perform.
The announcement marked the third-straight year that Mercer has sent at least one student-athlete to a preseason all-America team, and the second-straight year that multiple Bears have picked up the honor. Monday's announcement was the first preseason all-America nod for both Dowling and Standley.
A product of Snellville, Ga., and Shiloh High School, Dowling totaled a team-best 32 tackles (14 solo) through 4-1/2 games last season before an injury right before halftime in Mercer's home win over VMI sidelined him for the rest of the season. Regardless, he still picked up a trio of All-Southern Conference honors, including a second-team nod from the league's head coaches.
A three-year all-conference standout, Dowling has amassed 294 tackles (126 solo) in 36 career games played for Mercer, including 27-1/2 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He currently ranks third all-time on Mercer's list for total tackles, and needs just 38 stops this season to match the program superlative (332) that is currently held by former MU standout Tyler Ward (2013-16).
Standley picked up all-America recognition from FCS Football Central after pacing the Bears with 97 tackles (51 solo) last season, including 15 tackles for loss and a quartet of sacks. He complemented his stops with two interceptions and a forced fumble, including a 27-yard Pick 6 in Mercer's Week 10 win at The Citadel. His nine tackles in that outing also helped him pick up Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week recognition.
A native of Waycross, Ga., Standley has logged time in 47 career games for the Orange & Black while totaling 292 career tackles (137 solo), including 32 tackles for loss. He has also recorded three career forced fumbles and as many fumble recoveries, as well as eight pass break-ups.
The Bears will lift the lid on their 2024 campaign on August 29 when they suit up to welcome Presbyterian for a Thursday night contest under the lights of Five Star Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Reserved-seat season tickets for the 2024 home football schedule have already gone on sale and can be purchased for as little as $75 by visiting MercerBears.com/Tickets. MU has adjusted pricing in some sections of the stadium to accommodate a sixth game and assist our season ticket holders in purchasing premier seat locations.
Access to game day parking in the BEAR PLUS lots will continue to be based on giving levels to the Mercer Athletic Foundation. For more information about the BEAR PLUS program, e-mail maf@mercer.edu or call (478) 301-4003.
ERSKINE Game 2, away
Erskine Football | Fleet Announce 2024 Game Designations
DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College Football program announced the game designations for the 2024 season on Wednesday afternoon. The Fleet have seven home games this season, including five consecutive home contests to begin the year.
Student & Faculty Appreciation Day – (vs St. Andrews University 08/31/24)
The Erskine Football program are thankful for the entire faculty and staff at Erskine College. All are invited as guests for the 2024 home opener and can use their Erskine ID for free parking in the Gray Lot and admissions including spouse and children at the main gate.
Flying Fleet Night – (vs Presbyterian College 09/07/24)
Join us as we celebrate our Erskine College athletic program and its teams. All teams will be honored on the field at halftime. Additionally, this will be the Fleet's first official game against an NCAA Division I program since Erskine restarted its football program in 2020.
First Responders Day – (vs Elizabeth City State University 09/14/24)
Erskine College and Flying Fleet Football will honor all first responders who protect our freedoms, our health and our communities. We are grateful for your service every day, but especially for your tireless service during the global pandemic. Attendees will be recognized in the stands.
All first responders are invited to attend the game as guests of Erskine College's Flying Fleet Football program to be honored for your service to our community, our nation and our world. You will receive parking and free entry to the game with a valid employment ID or military ID.
Teacher Appreciation Day – (vs Valdosta State University 09/21/24)
Erskine College is always looking to cultivate relationships with schools in the surrounding communities of Due West. All teachers in surrounding communities will receive 50% off admission upon arrival at the ticket gate.
Homecoming / Hall of Fame Day – (vs Delta State University 09/28/24)
Erskine College and Flying Fleet Football welcome back alumni and friends to Due West and J.W. Babb Stadium for the annual homecoming festivities throughout the weekend. The Flying Fleet will also honor this year's Homecoming Court at halftime. In addition, the Flying Fleet Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will also be honored on the field at halftime.
Military Appreciation Day – (vs the University of West Florida 11/02/24)
Erskine College and Flying Fleet Football will pay our respects to those who have served our great nation. We thank you for your patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice so that all Americans can continue to enjoy our freedoms. All veterans, servicemen and servicewomen are invited to attend the game as guests of Erskine College's Flying Fleet Football program and will receive free entry to the game and free parking with a valid military ID.
Senior Day / Future Fleet Day – (vs Shorter University 11/16/24)
Erskine College is always looking to cultivate relationships with schools in the surrounding communities of Due West. All students under the age of 18 will receive free admission when accompanied by an adult. Tickets and parking information can be found found here.
Additionally, the 2024 Erskine Football Senior Class will be honored on the field prior to the Fleet's regular season finale.
Home game times for all seven home games of the upcoming season were also announced. The main highlight is Erskine's contest against Presbyterian on September 7, which is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff. This will be the latest home kickoff since the revival of the program in 2020.
Memberships to the Dode Phillips Club and season tickets became available last month for the upcoming 2024 Erskine Football season. Individual single-game tickets to the home opener against St. Andrews went on sale on August 17. Following the home opener, single-game tickets for the remaining home games will go on sale two weeks prior to game day.
Stay up to date on Erskine Football and all ticket updates by following @FleetAthletics on Facebook and Twitter and visiting www.erskinesports.com.
More Fan Day Photos here.
TICKETS here.
