August 16, 1999
Release: Upon Receipt

FURMAN OPENS PRE-SEASON WITH "SPIRITED" PRACTICE;
JOHNSON LAUDS EXCELLENT PHYSICAL CONDITION OF SQUAD

GREENVILLE -- Opening the 1999 pre-season with an impressive Monday morning practice, the Furman Paladins immediately drew the praise of head coach Bobby Johnson, who lauded his squad for its excellent physical condition.

"We were especially pleased this morning, because nearly all of them came back in great shape," said Johnson. "We tested them on Sunday, and we knew by the results that they were ready to go. We had a really spirited workout this morning. They were very attentive, and we got a lot of good work done."

On the first day of combined workouts in shorts and helmets for Furman's freshmen and veterans, the Paladins practiced for two hours and 15 minutes in the morning. The afternoon session lasted approximately two hours.

"This afternoon, it was a little bit tougher with the heat, but we still got in some good work. We kept adding things offensively and defensively to keep our package going, and we got everything installed that wanted to today," added Johnson, who also cited the work of the Paladin seniors.

"We had some good senior leadership out there, and that got our morning practice off to a great start. It's not easy to keep up the enthusiasm when you go out in the afternoon and its 95 degrees, but they did and I'm really proud of them."

The Paladins return to the practice field in shorts and helmets Tuesday morning at 6:20 a.m, and at 3:20 p.m. in the afternoon. All Furman practices are open to the public.

Furman Notes: Furman will conduct its Fan Day this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in Paladin Stadium prior to a full-scale scrimmage. Posters and t-shirts will be given away to fans, and players will be on hand for autographs on the field.