The Mountain West has relaunched its Countdown to Kickoff previews, continuing today with the Air Force Falcons can be previewed at http://www.themwc.com/sports/m-footbl/mw-12-countdown-afa.html.
The Collegiate Licensing Company and NCAA Football Launch Pledge Your Allegiance for College Colors Day Competition on ESPN.com
Fans Encouraged to Register Online to Support Their School in Nationwide Competition
ATLANTA, Ga., (August 1, 2012) - In an effort to celebrate the excitement and energy surrounding the kickoff of the 2012 college football season, The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), a division of IMG College, and NCAA Football today announced the launch of Pledge Your Allegiance for College Colors Day, an inaugural national spirit competition powered by ESPN.com.
The website-based rivalry competition, which includes 165 participating colleges and universities and is an element of this year's 2012 College Colors Day celebration, is set to go LIVE beginning August 1 and will run through the entire month leading up to College Colors Day on August 31. Throughout the competition, standings will be tracked nationally, as well as by conference.
The winning institution will be crowned winner of the College Colors Day Spirit Cup and will receive $10,000 toward its general scholarship fund.
College Colors Day is an annual celebration dedicated to promoting the traditions and spirit that embody the college experience by encouraging fans across America to wear their favorite college or university apparel throughout the day on Friday, August 31.
"We are excited to engage fans in the first-ever College Colors Day spirit rivalry competition on ESPN.com," said Catherine Gammon, Senior Vice President- Brand Development, The Collegiate Licensing Company, a division of IMG College. "We encourage all fans to cast their pledge and spread the word with fellow fans to ensure their favorite school is crowned the winner of the College Colors Day Spirit Cup."
In order to determine which school has the most loyal fan base, College football's 173 million fans are encouraged to visit www.espn.com/collegecolorsday to pledge their allegiance to their favorite college or university. All registrants are entered to win weekly $50 gift cards from ESPN Shop and one of two grand prizes including a $500 college shopping spree at ESPN Shop.
Fans are also encouraged to share the Pledge Your Allegiance for College Colors Day competition through Facebook.
In its 2012 Recruiting Issue, Inside Lacrosse tabbed Air Force freshman Doug Gouchoe one of the top 20 goalies in this year's incoming class.
Gouchoe, a Massachusetts native, helped lead Concord-Carlisle High School to an undefeated season and a state title in 2012. The high school All-American recorded a .682 save percentage in his senior campaign.
For full listings of the top 20 incoming goalies, visit http://insidelacrosse.com/news/2012/08/14/2012-recruiting-issue-top-20-goalies
The Air Force Academy fencing team returns to regularly scheduled competition hosting the Nick Toth Open on Sept. 8-9, 2012. Competition begins at 10:00 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday at the USAFA Cadet Gymnasium (East Gym).
Returning this fall are Dalton Boatright, Scott Pippin, Nathan Sorensen and Edward Wood as the senior leadership on the men's team. Juniors Ashley Chung, Rachel Cranfill, Olivia Prosseda and Tara Zartman will lead the women's team. Boatright and Prosseda return as team captains.
Live video streaming is to be determined.
Kids' Day at Falcon Stadium - August 11th - Help kickoff the 2012 football season with the Falcons this Saturday, August 11th. Fans are invited out to Falcon Stadium to preview the team during an open scrimmage starting at 10 am. Following practice, kids will be allowed down on the field to meet their favorite players and play catch. Admission is free.
Toast to the Host - August 11th - Join Falcon fans for a fun day of football, food and drink at Falcon Stadium this Saturday. Local breweries, restaurants and wineries will be on hand to provide beer and wine tasting and great food during Air Force practice. The event will start at 11 am and run through 1:30pm. Tickets are available online here, by phone at 719-472-1895 or at Falcon Stadium this Saturday.
Women's Soccer Opening Weekend - August 17th and 19th - Air Force women's soccer will open their 2012 schedule with home matches next Friday, August 17th and Sunday, August 19th. The Falcons will host Lamar @ 6 pm on the 17th and return to action against Montana on Sunday at 1pm. Admission is free.
Volleyball Blue & Silver Scrimmage - August 18th - Air Force Volleyball will get things started next Saturday, August 18th during the annual Blue & Silver Scrimmage at the Cadet Gymnasium. Admission is free and fans are encouraged to come out and preview the team and meet this year's roster. Season tickets are still available for great low price including $10 for youth, $25 for adults and $39 for family four packs. Click here for more information.
The Denver Broncos organization and players replaced some Air Force Academy items that former Falcon Ben Garland lost in the Waldo Canyon fires in Colorado. Garland had the items stored at his grandparent's home. The link is a story from the Gazette about the presentation that took place today after the team's practice.
http://www.gazette.com/articles/garland-142837-air-force.html
Former Air Force football standout Chad Hall, a 2008 graduate, showed his support for troops by shaving his head during training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles. The full story from the CourierPostGazette.com follows.
BETHLEHEM, PA. -- While most of his Eagles teammates are consumed with paybooks, assignments and chances of earning one of the 53 roster spots, Chad Hall is also thinking about the time he served in the United States military and how he can help those who aren't as fortunate as him.
Hall, who won three letters while playing for the Air Force Academy, served two years as second lieutenant at an Air Force base in Salt Lake City before leaving to pursue his NFL career in 2010.
On Wednesday, after another intense practice at Lehigh, Hall had his head shaved on the field while roughly 300 veterans were invited around him to shake hands and ask for autographs from Hall and his teammates.
Every year, the Eagles bring veterans to camp to have them honored on "Military Day." For every lock of hair shaved off, Hall said, teammates donated money to the Wounded Warrior Project, a charity that raises money and awareness for servicemen and servicewomen injured in duty.
"I'm just trying to really take our minds off us and really appreciate these guys and what they do," said Hall, who's fighting to make the team for the third straight year. "They're over fighting for our freedom every day. We're fighting on the field, but it's so miniscule to what they really do."
Within minutes after practice, Hall's bushy blond mop had been turned into a military-style crew cut. It's the first time Hall's head was shaved since 2004, his first year at the Academy. Even then, he didn't have it trimmed all the way down.
"I don't think I'll ever grow it back," he said. "This is the first time I've ever had it like this. But it would take six to eight months. It would take a while."
Seth Kelsey, a 2003 graduate of the Air Force Academy, has made it to the semifinals at the Olympic games in fencing. The link below is from the Gazette's coverage of his matches to date.
http://www.gazette.com/sports/kelsey-142520-korfanty-seth.html
Touchdowns and Tiaras Ladies, grab your girlfriends and join Head Football Coach Troy Calhoun and his wife Amanda for an evening of drinks, food, fashion and football at the second annual Touchdowns and Tiaras event! This year's event will be held at the Holaday Athletic Center tomorrow, August 1st. The festivities will kickoff with cocktails at 5:30 pm, and dinner catered by Carrabba's Italian Grill at 6 pm. The AFA coaching staff will break down into groups to talk a little about the game and what to look out for on the field this season. To wrap up the night attendees will be treated to an athletic wear fashion show to help get geared up for the fall. Everyone will receive a a special gift, commemorative tote bag and their own Touchdowns and Tiaras playbook to take home. Registration is available for only $40 per person and spots are still available. For more information or to sign up please call 719-333-2122 or click here.
Kids' Day at Falcon Stadium - August 11th Fans are invited to Falcon Stadium on Saturday, August 11th for a fun day with the Air Force football team to help kick of the 2012 season! Preview the team during an open scrimmage at 10 am and then bring the kids down to the field to meet their favorite players for autographs and photos and some catch on the turf! Admission is free and open to the public.
Toast to the Host - August 11th Celebrate the start of the Air Force Football season at the 3rd annual Toast to the Host party at Falcon Stadium. The cost is $25 per person and fans in attendance can enjoy samples of beer, wine and food from restaurants across the Springs while catching an open scrimmage with the Falcons. Children over the age of 6 and non-alcoholic drinking adults are only $10. Fans can reserve their tickets for the 2012 event by contacting the AFA ticket office by phone at 719-472-1895 or by clicking here. Tickets will also be available at the gate on the 11th. The event will run from 11 am to 1:30 pm.
Seniors Jason Kons (OL), Parker Herrington (PK) and Alex Means (LB) were all named to the first-team preseason all-Mountain West Conference football team by College Sports Madness. Senior fullback Mike DeWitt was a second-team selection while senior offensive lineman Jordan Eason was a third-team selection. Go to collegesportsmadness.com for the full listing of the all-conference teams.
