High: 88 F Low: 72 F
Chance of Rain: 40% Humidity: 87%
The Carolina Panthers arrived in Spartanburg SC on Thursday to begin their annual ritual of Training Camp at Wofford College.
The college has hosted the Carolina Panthers Training Camp since their inaugural year of 1995. As a South Carolinian and Carolina Panthers fan I can say this is a great partnership between the two. This partnership I believe is the reason the the Carolina Panther's Training Camp is listed in the top of the "fan friendly" camps.
You are up close to the players and it is amazing how respectful the spectators are of the players and their training. At no NFL game will you ever see this side of fans or the players!
This was my first year attending the training camp and was very excited. I was pleased to have my husband, sister (who is a huge fan), best friend, and my two nephews go with me.
We decided to go up on Saturday for the 2:30pm practice. Yes we are in the south and that is the heat of the day! Crazy! The days events listed on the website were suppose to have a visit by Sir Purr the mascot and the Top Cat cheerleaders. Panthers Pals was also suppose to pic kids to go on the field with the players for the last 30 minutes of practice.
The hour and half ride from Columbia, SC was a little scary with lots of rain and winds. When we pulled into the campus the rains stopped. It was meant to be!
There wasn't a huge crowd which made it easy to get around and see things. Unfortunately none of the other events took place that day such as we never seen Sir Purr or the Top Cats. Panther Pals also did not take kids on the field afterwards..
We prepared by bringing snacks and drinks with us, but they did have concessions, snow cones, and Panthers apparel for sale. They moved the training for the day from the practice field to the stadium so we didn't need to drag our camping chairs out.
I want to give a big thanks to the players who did stay after the 2 hour practice as hot as it was, (I know they were tired) and signed autographs for the fans on our half of the stadium:
#9 Graham Gano, #16 Colby Cameron backup Quarterback, #24 Josh Norman cornerback,
#44J.J Jansen long snapper,#76 Greg Hardy defensive end, #77 Byron Bell tackle, #41 Captin Munnerlyn cornerback, #59 Luke Kuchley linebacker
I will point out my sister did sneak on the field and get her picture taken with Gano! He was great about it!
My best friend has also become an official Panthers fan after seeing #59 Luke Kuchley!
All in all it was a great day and enjoyed the time with my family! I hope the Panthers have a great season and I admire how the Carolina Panthers are great role models for kids, no drama players (well except for the guy we won't mention many years ago).
If you are a football fan of any team or have kids who enjoy football it is an awesome FREE summer event to go to. It goes last for about a week. For more details go to: Carolina Panthers website
Tips: camping chair for when they use the practice field (ones with umbrella if you have them), sunblock, lots of water and gatorade, snacks, umbrella to keep sun off, hat to block the sun, cushion if practice is in stadium, just in case bug spray (we didn't need it when we went, but it is the south you never know), of course a sharpie for signature!
Now you just have to ask yourself "Are You Ready For Some Football?"
Nichole
