Press Release

March 30, 2005

Spring Game to be Held on Thursday, Apr. 7

MARYVILLE, Mo. -- The Northwest Missouri State football program will hold its 2005 Spring Game on Thursday, Apr. 7 at Bearcat Stadium. The intrasquad scrimmage will begin at 4:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

The Spring Game marks the first time in the Mel Tjeerdsma-era (since 1994) that there has been a traditional game during spring practice.

"We are planning on dividing up the teams equally and having a game," said head coach Mel Tjeerdsma. "It will be a live game without the kicking. I had a discussion with our staff and we felt it would be a nice change for the kids.

"We felt like it would be fun for the players and a good way to end spring practice."

Tjeerdsma mentioned that the teams will be divided based on a "draft" run by the seniors.

The Bearcats will hold spring practices beginning at 3:30 p.m. from Mar. 31-Apr. 1 and again from Apr. 4-6 before the Spring Game.

Northwest opens up its 2005 season at Minnesota State on Thursday, Aug. 25 at 6:30 p.m.