Aug. 13, 2005

Charleston, SC - Saying that he was excited to kick off the season by hosting the media, first-year Citadel coach Kevin Higgins and his 2005 Bulldogs entertained members of the press Saturday morning at Johnson Hagood Stadium.

With pile drivers operating to one side working on the new west side seating and construction on the temporary press box on the east side, members of the press photographed and interviewed Higgins, his staff and players.

The construction activity didn't interfere with any of the media's work and, fortunately, no one got in the way of the renovation activity that is currently taking place at the historic facility.

"We are excited to kick off the season with Media Day, and we've got a great group of seniors with which to put in front of the media," said Higgins, who was hired on March 24 to replace John Zernhelt, who resigned in February to take an assistant's position with the NFL's New York Jets.

"Our seniors communicate very well and the more the media interacts with them, the better feel they (the media) will get for our program and what we're trying to accomplish," Higgins added.

The seniors, who wore their game-day blue uniform jerseys and white pants without pads, enjoyed a brunch with the media and the coaching staff.

"I've got to admit that the team photo was the quickest and most organized I've seen in more than 25 years of coaching," said Higgins, indirectly praising veteran Citadel staff photographer Russ Pace, a former college Employee of the Year recipient. "He was simply great."

The full squad practiced Saturday afternoon at Willson Field on campus, and will practice at will practice Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. The team will have its first two-a-day practice on Monday with the first going at 8:30 a.m. and the second at 3 p.m. Both will be held at Willson Field. The Bulldogs officially begin the Higgins-era on Saturday, September 3, when Charleston Southern visits Johnson Hagood Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.