LAKE CHARLES – McNeese football kicks off fall camp on Wednesday when the Cowboys report for the official beginning of the season.
 
Newcomers will report at 8:30 a.m. and will be assigned their equipment before sitting in compliance and academic meetings. Position meetings will follow in the late morning and early afternoon before the veterans report at 4.
 
The day will wrap up with team and position meetings in the evening.
 
Head coach Matt Viator, who is beginning his 10^th season at the helm and is 10 wins away from tying Bobby Keasler as the school's all-time winningest coach, explains what the staff needs to do to get ready for the season and the goals.
 
"Getting all the players back and headed in the direction we need," he said. "We need to get into a good practice rhythm and routine.
 
"The goal is to always win the Southland Conference. If you can accomplish that you should be set up to compete for the national championship."
 
The Cowboys finished 6-5 a year ago and returns the bulk of that team that dropped their last three games after being hit hard with injuries.
 
The team will hit the field for the first time at 4:30 on Thursday and will slip on the shoulder pads for the first time at Saturday afternoon's practice. The first practice in full pads will be Monday afternoon.
 
"The first days are packed with a lot of installation from all three phases," said Viator. "Also trying to get back to practicing with the tempo and effort that we want."
 
Scrimmages have been scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 22 at 9:45 a.m.

2015 Fall Camp Schedule (times subject to change)
Wednesday, Aug. 5 - Players report. Newcomers 8:30 a.m.; Veterans 4 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 6 - Practice #1, shorts/helmets, 4:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 7 - Practice #2, shorts/helmets, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 8 - Practice #3, shell, 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 9 - Practice #4, shell, 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 10 - Practice #5, full pads, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 11 - Practice #6, full pads, 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 12 - Practice #7, full pads, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 13 - Practice #8, shell, 4:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 14 - Practice #9, shell, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 15 - Scrimmage #1, 6 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 16 - MEDIA DAY, 5 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 17 - Practice #11, shell, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 18 - Practice #12, full pads, 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 19 - Practice #13, full pads, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 20 - Practice #14, shell, 2:50 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 21 - Practice #15, shorts/helmets, 2:50 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 22 - Scrimmage #2, 9:45 a.m.
Sunday, Aug. 23 - No Practice
Monday, Aug. 24 - SCHOOL STARTS