Concordia Stinger head coach Mickey Donovan expects approximately 140 football players to arrive on campus Thursday morning to kick off the 2015 season.
The first couple of days are filled with administration and orientation tasks including medicals, photos, academic advising and more.
The fun begins on Sunday when the players are on the field for the first time.
“Nobody has made this team yet,” said Donovan. “They all have to work to earn it. We’ll know more when we get on the field Aug. 16. Camp is going to be very competitive at every position.”
One player Donovan is looking forward to seeing on the field is running back Alexandre Bouvrette, the Cégep Division 3 MVP from St. Jérome who joined the Stingers in January.
“We’re very excited about him,” said Donovan who is now in his second year at the helm. “He was a great surprise to us in winter camp. He made a lot of our veteran defensive players look bad. Running back Gunner Tatum will not be back with us, but it will not be a problem to fill his spot.”
Though the team is young, Donovan feels the depth at each position is much better than last year. There will be great battles for playing time at running back, receiver, quarterback and defensive line.
“It’s going to be an intense camp,” Donovan said. “We’ll see who can rise to the challenge and who will shine.”
Fans will get their first chance to see the 2015 team on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 2 p.m. when the Stingers host the Queen’s Gaels in preseason action. In 2014, the teams met in Kingston and Concordia came out on top 25-18.Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.
