Marietta College football to host Preseason Community Night Wednesday at Don Drumm Stadium
The open practice will begin with an autograph session at 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 20, 2007
MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College football fans no longer have to wait until the Pioneers' Sept. 22 home opener against Otterbein to get their first glimpse of the 2007 squad. Instead, Head Coach Curt Wiese announced the Pioneers would hold a special Preseason Community Night on Wednesday, Aug. 22, under the lights at Don Drumm Stadium.

Admission is free and the gates open at 7:30 p.m.

Marietta fans are invited to witness the teams' progress this preseason by attending the open session at Don Drumm. An autograph session, featuring players and coaches, will kickoff the evening at 7:30 p.m.; please bring items to be autographed. Practice is then slated for 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Kids will be allowed down on the field with the coaches to get a closer look at the action.

"Marietta College football has always cherished the support it gets from the community," Wiese said. "We continue to look for ways to improve our relationship with the fans and feel that this open practice will help get the city of Marietta back into football season."

Pioneer football merchandise will be on sale throughout the evening as well as Fall Sport Schedule Cards.

Preseason Community Night is just the first chance to see this year's team. On Friday, Aug. 24, Marietta will tune-up for its season opener against No. 3 St. Johns in Collegeville, Minn., with a scrimmage against St. Vincent College, from Latrobe, Pa. Action gets underway at 4 p.m. at Don Drumm. In addition, the initial First and Ten Luncheon will take place at noon Monday, Aug. 27, in the Trustee's Conference Room of Ban Johnson Arena.

Marietta's contest with Otterbein on Sept. 22 will be the third annual River City Bowl and Alumni Day. The game will also be broadcast live on WTAP-TV, as well as live audio streaming at pioneers.marietta.edu.

"The concept behind having the River City Bowl is for the College and football program to have a way of recognizing the College community and the Marietta community for its wonderful support," Wiese said. "When combined with our Alumni Day, we expect it to be a great atmosphere for football."