PISCATAWAY, NJ – Spring Practice 2003 for the Rutgers football team will culminate this Friday night when its hosts the annual Scarlet-White Game at Rutgers Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:30.

“It has been a very productive spring, and relatively injury free,” said Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano. “It has been a step in the right direction and hopefully we can continue on the marathon towards success.”

The Scarlet Knights will play an intrasquad scrimmage on Friday night. Although personnel for the teams is still being finalized, it promises to be a spirited evening of competition.

“The spring game is for the players, the fans, and for the players’ families. It should be a good time for everyone involved,” said Schiano. “We will be very simple, offensively and defensively. With (offensive coordinator) Craig (Ver Steeg) coming in, we have been very basic this spring, and will remain that way in the spring game.

“ The kids won’t have to think much, and they’ll be able to fly around out there. There will be some good, hard-nosed football,” Schiano added. “It’ll be good for the young guys that way.”

Prior to the Scarlet-White Game, a “Fan Fest” will take place on the “D” field, adjacent to the Bubble, beginning at 5 p.m. The Fan Fest is geared towards children and families, with activities, food and beverages available. There will be special appearances by the Rutgers Pep Band, as well as the Scarlet Knights cheerleaders and dance teams.

Following the game, fans can also get a free copy of the 2003 team poster, and can meet the players and coaching staff on the field for autographs.
Tickets for the game are $5 for adults and FREE for children under 12. All proceeds from the game will go to the Bristol Meyers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, and the Children’s Unit at St. Peter’s University Medical Center, both located in New Brunswick. Over the past nine years, more than $50,000 has been raised for the hospitals’ children’s units.