Feb. 25, 2013

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BERKELEY - Cal opened 2013 spring football practice Monday with a high-energy, fast-paced workout in front of a few hundred fans at Memorial Stadium. Head coach Sonny Dykes has opened all spring practices to fans and emphasized that the team belongs to the community and the university.

"The turnout was good and hopefully everybody liked what they saw," said Dykes. "I think our players are energized when people come out and watch them practice. The energy was good, the attitude was good. I thought we improved. I was really pleased."

Among the fans in the seats were Mike and Zach Lindner of Danville, who said that unlike going to open practices with NFL teams, Cal ran actual plays and formations so that fans who attend practice got an early glimpse to see how the depth chart will unfold and how the Bears may look when Northwestern visits Memorial Stadium to open the 2013 season on Aug. 31.

Wide receiver Bryce Treggs and quarterback Allan Bridgford also talked about getting spring practice underway.

"It helps because it makes it more like a game situation," Treggs offered about the fans in attendance. "The first practice was great, it was very high energy." "Everyone's definitely excited," Bridgford said. "It's nice to get out here on the field and start playing."

Notable moments during the team's the 11-on-11 sessions on the offensive side of the ball included long passes from Kline to Treggs and Hinder to Drake Whitehurst. Defensively, Adrian Lee and Stefan McClure both had interceptions.

"Our guys came out with a great attitude and a desire to get better," Dykes said. "We talked about how important it was to have a good day. You only get 15 days [of spring practice], so every one of them is really important. We wanted to set the bar really high in the first practice so we could build off of it."

Much of the conversation during Dykes' post-practice session with the media steered towards the team's quarterback position, where most of Monday's reps were taken by Bridgford, Austin Hinder and Zach Kline.

"That was kind of our plan coming in," Dykes said. "We were going to rep three today and probably rep some other guys tomorrow [Wednesday]. We want to get them some reps, see how it plays out and who ends up having the best days. I thought they all did some good things. The good thing is that we've got some guys to work with. We'll see how the other guys respond when they get their opportunities."

If you missed the opening practice on Monday, there are still 14 more opportunities to see the Bears in action this spring. The next practice takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 27, from 4 - 6:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. Admission is free. Fans should enter the stadium through Gate 1 on the north end, where they will be directed onto the concourse level and into available seating in the lower area of sections EE, F, FF and G. Fans are not allowed onto the field.

Cal's spring practices will continue for nearly a month before concluding with the 2013 Cal Football Spring Game to be televised live by the Pac-12 Networks on Saturday, March 23 (4 p.m. PT). Admission to all workouts including the spring game will be free.

In addition to attending practices, fans can visit the 2013 Spring Football Central page on CalBears.com for a complete practice schedule, fan information and a wide array of additional content including blog entries, videos, features and much more throughout spring ball.

"This is a great opportunity for our fans to come out and enjoy a football program that belongs to all of us in the Cal community," Dykes said. "We are excited to get on the field and continue building upon Cal's excellent football tradition. We want everybody to feel like they are a part of that."

For 2013 ticket information, visit CalBears.com or call (800) GO-BEARS.

See below for all remaining scheduled dates and times of 2013 Cal football spring practices.

2013 CAL FOOTBALL SPRING SCHEDULE
DAY, DATE (TIME, TV)
Monday, February 25 (4 - 6:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, February 27 (4 - 6:30 p.m.)
Friday, March 1 (6:30 - 9 p.m.)
Monday, March 4 (6:30 - 9 p.m.)
Wednesday, March 6 (4 - 6:30 p.m.)
Friday, March 8 (6:30 - 9 p.m.)
Saturday, March 9 (1 - 3:30 p.m.)
Monday, March 11 (4 - 6:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, March 13 (6 - 8:30 p.m.)
Friday, March 15 (6:30 - 9 p.m.)
Saturday, March 16 (11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
Monday, March 18 (4 - 6:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, March 20 (4 - 6:30 p.m.)
Friday, March 22 (6:30 - 9 p.m.)
Saturday, March 23 (4 - 6:30 p.m., Spring Game, Pac-12 Networks)
All practices scheduled to be open to the public at Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, Calif.; All times Pacific; Schedule subject to change

FAN INFORMATION

LOCATION/PARKING/TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
Memorial Stadium Location - Memorial Stadium is located on Piedmont Avenue in Berkeley between Bancroft Way and Hearst Avenue. It is adjacent to the Simpson Center for Student-Athlete High Performance at 2227 Piedmont Avenue. Parking in the vicinity of Memorial Stadium is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be sure to read all signs at each parking location for further important information. There are also public transportation options. See below for some suggestions.
MLK Student Union Garage - Located on the north side of Bancroft Way between Telegraph Avenue and Dana Street.
Public Transportation - Public transportation is highly recommended when visiting Berkeley. There are multiple public transportation options that lead to Memorial Stadium. BART has a station in downtown Berkeley about a half-mile west of the venue. Visit bart.gov, actransit.org or 511.org for more information.
Recreational Sports Facility Garage - Located on the north side of Bancroft Way between Dana Street and Ellsworth Street.
Street Parking - Paid and limited street parking may be available on streets near Memorial Stadium, with most options just south and east along Stadium Rimway, Piedmont Avenue, Prospect Street, Channing Way or Warring Street.
Underhill Garage - Located on the corner of Channing Way and College Avenue.
Witter Lot - Located near the corner of Centennial Drive and Stadium Rimway.
More Information - For more information on directions and parking options, visit berkeley.edu/map. A parking specific map can be located online at http://pt.berkeley.edu/sites/pt.berkeley.edu/files/content/NewPadMap2011.pdf.