MACOMB, Ill. - Media Day in the morning and practice in the afternoon highlighted day four of the Leatherneck Football team at Hanson Field on Monday (Aug. 6). Western had a two hour workout in shoulder pads and helmets in preparation for the first opportunity to wear full pads on Tuesday.

Head coach Mark Hendrickson felt good about what he saw from the team when he spoke to them after drills.

"There was a good feeling when I brought the guys up tonight (after practice), they were buzzing. We had just lined up and ran sprints, they were huffin and puffin, but they were buzzing to each other and excited about the way they had practiced," said Hendrickson. "They knew they had to pick it up a notch from yesterday, and we have to make sure we pick up one more notch tomorrow.

"Players and coaches alike saw another step up in intensity, another step in communications and another step in the right direction in our pad level getting lower... We won't change anything during practice one in full gear, it'll still be tag off on the backs and we will come out with several team periods like we had today," stated Hendrickson.

Pictures and video from Media Day can be found on www.GoLeathernecks.com. Practice is scheduled for an 8:30 start on Tuesday morning at Hanson Field.

NEW UNIFORMS, HELMETS DEBUT: During Media Day, the Leatherneck Football team unveiled the new purple home uniforms and helmets for the 2012 season. The team will wear purple helmets with a white Western Illinois script logo (with gold shadow) over the anchor and bulldog, similar to the logo on the 50-yard line at Hanson Field. The new adidas home uniforms are purple pants and a purple top with: white Leathernecks across the front, white numbers with gold shadow on the front and back, numbers on the shoulder, gold stripes down each side, and the Leatherneck anchor logo in the back center of the shoulder.

FAN DAY SET FOR AUGUST 12: Western Illinois Athletics will hold its annual 'Leatherneck Fan Day' on Sunday, August 12th at 5 p.m. The event takes place at Hanson Field and is free to the public. The Leatherneck football team will sponsor a clinic for children ages 12 and under on Hanson Field, starting at 5. Coaches and student-athletes from men's and women's soccer, volleyball, men's and women's cross country, along with football, will be on hand to sign autographs for all fans during the event. There will be free prizes, food and Coca-Cola products for those in attendance. Fans can also purchase tickets for the upcoming 2012 football season during the event. For more information on the event contact the Athletics Marketing department at (309) 298-1190.

FALL CAMP DAY/TIME

Tuesday, August 7: 8:30-11 am (full pads)
Wednesday, August 8: 8:30-11 am and 5:45-7:35 pm
Thursday, August 9: 8:30-11 am
Friday, August 10: 8:30-11 am and 5:45-7:35 pm
Saturday, August 11: 10-11:45 am
Sunday, August 12: No practice KIDS CLINIC from 5-6 pm
Monday, August 13: 8:30-11 am and 5:45-7:35 pm
Tuesday, August 14: 8:30-11 am
Wednesday, August 15: 8:30-11 am and 5:45-7:35 pm
Thursday, August 16: 8:30-11 am
Friday, August 17: 8:30-11 am and 5:45-7:35 pm
Saturday, August 18: 9-11 am (end of fall camp)
Monday, August 20: First day of classes

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