Fun Times at Texan Training Camp

The 2009 Training Camp has not been all practice and no play.

The Texans have had a few of chances to unwind and bond off the field as well.

On Monday night, the team saw the new G.I. Joe movie at the Stephenville theater before competing in the annual challenge on Wednesday: bowling.

The team also spent part of Friday Night at the new "Splashville" at the Stephenville City Park.


"This is great bonding time for our players and coaches," said offensive coordinator Scott Carey. "These are memories we can help build on for the season."

To see more photos from the bowling and swimming outings, click here: bowling - swimming.

Oh... and the offense won the bowling match. Let's hope they can move the ball and score this year like they can knock down pins.

Scrimmage tomorrow

The Texans will have a scrimmage tomorrow (Saturday, Aug. 15) at 4 p.m. in Memorial Stadium.

The offense and defense will go against each other in a "real-time" atmosphere. There will also be live special teams as well.

Coach McElroy said this about the scrimmage: "Really, this will be the first time we step away from the kids and see what they can do on their own. We will get them get out of the huddle and let them get the play and we'll get out of the way and see what they can do."

Come out and see the 2009 Texans.

Putting on the complete armor

The Texan football team hit day five on Monday, meaning they donned full pads for the first time this fall - and were excited to do so.

When the team went offense against defense for the first time in full pads, there was a lot of smack talking going on - giving each other a hard time. "You can't run that ball through here" is one thing that can be heard.

When all was said and done, both sides of the purple and white were happy with the way things went Monday as the team continues to progress through the training camp.

"We are really looking like a football team out here," said senior defensive lineman Alonzo Horton.

Do you have any questions for the players and/or coaches? Or just have comments? Write them in the comment section below or email tarletonsid@gmail.com.

Hitting each other

For the first time this fall, the Tarleton Texan football team got to hit each other - with pads of course.

After two days of just jerseys and helmets, the Texans donned shoulder pads for the first time this season. Tarleton will do the same tomorrow before putting on all of their pads on Monday.

Let us know if you have any questions or ideas for fall camp. We will ask the coaches or players your questions, just leave them in the comment section below or by emailing tarletonsid@gmail.com.

Welcoming the freshmen

Tarleton football, men's basketball and volleyball team members spent time Friday afternoon welcoming the 2009 Tarleton freshman back to campus from Duck Camp.

Several of the clubs on campus, as well as the sororities and fraternities were also a part of the festivities as the freshman got off the busses. Live music, food and drinks were provided by the welcome parties.

The men's basketball team and women's volleyball team members passed out pizza and water while the football team joined the event after lifting weights. The pizza and water were donated to the event and the MSL and APA were in charge of getting the food donated.

Below are a few pics of the student-athletes interacting with the the student body.

Day one is done

The Texans had their first day of practice Thursday and the players were excited to get going. So were the coaches.

For more on what head coach Sam McElroy, senior defensive end Jamaal Steamer and LSC South Division Preseason Player of the Year Roderick Smith had to say on the first day of training camp, go the offical training camp page on TarletonSports.com.

Have any questions for the coaches or players? Leave them in the comments section below, or email tarletonsid@gmail.com.

Texans report to 2009 Training Camp

STEPHENVILLE – Tarleton head football coach Sam McElroy and his staff welcomed the 2009 Tarleton Texan football team to campus Wednesday as the squad reported for training camp.

The Texans checked in to the dorm Wednesday afternoon and after meetings and filling out paperwork tonight, the team will hit the ground running on Thursday.

“This is an exciting time of year,” McElroy said. “It is good to see all of our freshman here and to have everyone report to camp. It is getting hot enough outside for camp, and we begin camp 106 strong. We start workouts tomorrow and play in three weeks, so we have to get going.”

The Texans kickoff the season against a real opponent on Thursday, Aug. 27 when Arkansas-Monticello comes to town, but senior linebacker Marcus Phillips is ready to begin on Thursday.

“I am excited to come in and be with everybody,” the Humble native said. “I am ready to gel with everyone and do what we can to win. I hope to get a ring in my last year.”

Fellow senior Dustin Washburn, an offensive lineman from Abilene, believes this year will be successful from the start.

“I think we are coming into this year as a total unit as a team,” the starting center said. “The guys that have been here and are coming back had a great spring and summer, and I believe the new guys will be able to just plug right in. We trust each other on the field more so than we ever have before. In the past, we had some guys that just played for themselves, but I think this year, every man cares about the man next to him. I think we will be more successful than ever.”

That is what all of the 106 members of the squad hopes as they enter the 2009 Tarleton Football Training Camp.

For more information on camp and for up-to-date information every day, check out the Fall Camp link under football and tune into the Tarleton Tales blog, Twitter and Facebook.