By ERIC TABER
The Montana Grizzlies’ football season officially gets underway on Sunday, August 6, when the 2017 squad reports for fall camp, with the first practice of the year coming shortly after that on Tuesday, August 8.
Third-year head coach Bob Stitt and his staff will run the Grizzlies through a schedule of 20 practice sessions and three scrimmages during the month of August in the lead-up to the season-opener against Valparaiso on Sept. 2 in Missoula.
The first scrimmage of fall is scheduled for Monday, August 14 at 4 p.m. The Griz will scrimmage again five days later on the morning of Saturday, August 19 at 8:30 a.m. Both are open to the public.
The final scrimmage will be a closed-door tune up on Thursday, August 24 at 3 p.m. ahead of the 22nd annual Great Griz Encounter in downtown Missoula’s Caras Park. Fans will have the chance to meet the Grizzlies, and collect autographs from their favorite players at the preseason pep rally.
The Great Griz Encounter is held in conjunction with the Missoula Downtown Association’s weekly “Downtown Tonight” festival. The fun is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. with the Griz taking the stage at 6:30 p.m.
All practices and scrimmages will take place at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Practices are open to Quarterback Club members but closed to the general public. Media members are welcome at practice for the first 15 minutes, with the next 15 minutes open for film/photo.
The Griz will, for the most part, practice early in the morning to avoid the heat of the day, with team lifting sessions, positional meetings and film review in the afternoon.
Following the team scrimmage on the morning of August 19, the team will run through the annual photo and media day. Players and coaches will be available for interviews at 11:00 a.m. following the team photo session.
The first weekly press conference of the season will be held on Monday, August 28 at 2:30 p.m. in the Adams Center Sky Club ahead of the season opener against Valparaiso.
Full season and single game tickets for the 2017 Montana season are on sale now and can be purchased at griztix.com , the Adams Center Ticket Office, or any GrizTix outlet.
2017 Montana Football Fall Camp Schedule
Sunday, August 6Players report
Monday, August 7Equipment fitting/Team meetings
Tuesday, August 88:15 AM: Practice #1 (Helmets)
Wednesday, August 98:15 AM: Practice #2 (Helmets)
Thursday, August 108:00 AM: Practice #3 (Helmets & Shoulder Pads)
Friday, August 118:00 AM: Practice #4 (Helmets & Shoulder Pads)
Saturday, August 128:00 AM: Practice #5 (Full Pads)
Sunday, August 13Film
Monday, August 14 4:00 PM: Scrimmage (Practice #6)
Tuesday, August 152:30 PM: Practice #7 (Full Pads)
Wednesday, August 168:00 AM: Practice #8 (Full Pads)
Thursday, August 178:00 AM: Practice #9 (Full Pads)
Friday, August 188:00 AM: Practice #10 (Full Pads)
Saturday, August 19
8:30 AM: Scrimmage (Practice #11)
11:00 AM: Media Day
Sunday, August 20Off
Monday, August 218:00 AM: Practice #12 (Full Pads)
Tuesday, August 228:00 AM: Practice #13 (Full Pads)
Wednesday, August 238:00 AM: Practice #14 (Full Pads)
Thursday, August 24
3:00 PM: Closed scrimmage (Practice #15)
6:30 PM: Great Griz Encounter
Friday, August 252:30 PM: Practice #16 (Full Pads)
Saturday, August 268:00 AM: Practice #17 (Full Pads)
Sunday, August 27Film
Monday, August 28Off
Tuesday, August 293:30 PM: Practice #18 (Full Pads)
Wednesday, August 303:30 PM: Practice #19 (Full Pads)
Thursday, August 31
First Day of Classes
3:30 PM: Practice #20 (Full Pads)
Friday, September 1Pregame
Saturday, September 2Montana vs. Valparaiso – 1 p.m.
