Blue Hens settled into the fun and business of chasing a championship

The Delaware Blue Hen football team got its first workout in at Pizza Hut Park, but they also got to experience some Texas size hospitality from some enthusiastic school children along with some Texas barbeque.

Newsworks and First man on the inside is Dave Baylor.  Dave contributes to State of Play, but this week he’s one of Coach K.C. Keeler’s assitant football coaches. 

Dave went along as team watched a pep rally of sorts by students of J.W. and Ruth Christie Elementary school.  The team could have closed their eyes and thought they were still in Newark by the way they were treated by the school. The school’s prinicipal is good friends with a University of Delaware alum.  When he found out the team was coming to town he knew he had to do something.  There were lots of Blue and Gold balloons and plenty of signs encouraging a Blue Hen victory in this Friday’s NCAA Division 1-AA championship game with Eastern Washington University Eagles. 

The team also attended a Wednesday night barbeque complete with Texas sized portions and over sized 10 gallon hats.  There were some football related activities.  Siddiq Haynes, a defensive lineman, was back with the team after being honored at half-time of the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.  He received the “Good Works Team” award for his community service.

And one possible cloud hanging over the game this weeks is a report in the News Journal by Kevin Tresolini that Coach Keeler won’t talk about reports linking him to the opening coaching job at the University of Connecticut.

Dave has promised to send more pictures as the team heads to the Friday night telecast at 7pm on ESPN2.  Newsworks will post them as we get them.