Prairie View A&M University football is set to open training camp with its first practice Friday morning.
 
The Panthers under first-year head coach Eric Dooley will begin preparations for the Saturday, August 25 opener at Rice with Friday's 9 a.m. practice at Panther Stadium.
 
Tickets for the opener, as well as the MEAC-SWAC Challenge and all PVAMU football games are on sale now at pvpanthers.com/tickets or by calling 936-261-3970.
 
Coverage of Panthers Training Camp at pvpanthers.com is sponsored by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance. Texas Farm Bureau Members get free tickets to Panther home athletics contests by showing proof of membership at the PVAMU Ticket Office. Panther Nation can visit the local Texas Farm Bureau Agent in Waller to become a member today.
 
With a major emphasis on conditioning during the summer, Dooley likes the growth he's seen from the team since spring football ended in the weight room and has clearly defined goals for camp.
 
"Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Nathaniel Leonard and his staff have done a great job in getting the guys ready," Dooley said. "Seeing the changing of the bodies during the summer, I know they are in the best shape possible. In seeing them in the building, it is a very noticeable difference. In picking up where we left off in the spring, we want to continue to execute, minimize mistakes, and get better in all three phases of the game while continuing to be disciplined in everything that we do."
 
Having been in charge of the program since late December, Dooley and his staff have put their imprint on what is expected from the players moving forward.
 
"The players were assuming going in to spring what my expectations were going to be," Dooley said. "Now they have a greater since of direction of what it's going to be like and of what to expect. Based on the sense of urgency of getting things accomplished and the excitement I see in their faces, I think the guys are ready to get out on the field, just play football and execute at a high level."
 
The Panthers will practice Friday and Saturday at 9 a.m. and Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
 

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