Official Start of Fall Practice

[D3_DPUFan]

Could someone please confirm the official start date for fall football practice. I'm guessing it's August 18...any confirmation of this would be much appreciated!

[Pat Coleman]

It's different for every school. There is a formula based on the date of the first game and the first day of classes.

[D3_DPUFan]

thank you, pat...

[Just Bill]

From the NCAA III manual...

17.11.2 Preseason Practice.

17.11.2.1 First Practice Date. A member institution shall not commence official preseason football practice sessions for the varsity, junior varsity or freshman team before the date that will permit a maximum of 25 practice opportunities (see Bylaw 17.11.2.1.1) before its first scheduled intercollegiate game or before the Friday before Labor Day if the institution's first contest (game) is scheduled for the Thursday prior to Labor Day. (Revised: 1/10/89, 1/10/91 effective 8/1/92, 1/12/04, 1/9/06 effective 8/1/06)

17.11.2.1.1 Practice Opportunities—Football. In football only, to establish the starting date for preseason practice, the institution shall count one practice opportunity for each day beginning with the opening day of classes and one practice opportunity for each day classes are not in session in the week of the first scheduled intercollegiate contest (see Bylaw17.11.3). Next, the institution shall count practice opportunities on an alternating basis in a two-one-two-one format (i.e., the first of the remaining days is counted as two, the next day is counted as one, the next as two, etc.) up to and including the 20th opportunity. Finally, the institution shall count one practice opportunity for each of the five days prior to the day of the 20th opportunity. The institution shall not count any days during the preseason when all institutional dormitories are closed, the institution's team must leave campus and practice is not conducted. (Adopted: 1/12/04)

17.11.2.1.1.1 Sunday. Sundays prior to the institution's opening day of classes are included in the counting. Sundays subsequent to the institution's opening day of classes are excluded from the counting. (Adopted: 1/12/04)

17.11.2.1.1.2 Week. The "week" of the first scheduled intercollegiate contest is defined as the six days, including or excluding Sunday pursuant to Bylaw 17.11.2.1.1.1, before the first contest (see Bylaw 17.11.3) even if one or more of the days fall into different traditional calendar weeks. (Adopted: 1/12/04)

17.11.2.1.1.3 Opening Day of Classes. The "opening day of classes" is defined as the first day of classes as listed in the institution's official catalog. Required freshman orientation is not considered to be the opening day of classes for the academic year. (Adopted: 1/12/04)

[D3_DPUFan]

excellent detail...thanks, justbill!