Panthers have great opening weekend

SPARTANBURG, SC - More than 8,000 loyal Carolina Panthers fans had visited the NFL team’s summer training camp at Wofford College from the opening practice on Saturday morning (July 28) through the evening practice on Monday (July 30).

Some 3,500 fans attended Saturday night’s practice and Panthers Party 2007 to welcome the team back to Spartanburg, and attendance to opening weekend practices – two practice sessions on Saturday and one on Sunday – totaled 6,300, officials with Team Spartanburg, the sports council of the Spartanburg Convention & Visitors Bureau, announced.

“It was a fabulous, exciting opening weekend of practice and the festivities surrounding the Panthers Party,” says Mike Shetterly, chairman of Team Spartanburg and an attorney with Ogletree Deakins.  “Spartanburg really looks forward to having the Panthers in town, and to hosting all of the loyal fans from far and wide who follow the team.”

Coach John Fox, the Panthers head coach, changed the practice schedule this year, alternating days on which two-a-day sessions are held.  That means that opening weekend had one fewer practice session than in previous years.  Still, attendance held fairly steady – 6,300 this year with three sessions compared to 7,332 in 2006 with four sessions.  Also, the opening practice on Saturday was literally dampened by rain throughout the morning session.

The Panthers Party lent a festival atmosphere to the Saturday evening practice.  The event, presented by the City of Spartanburg and sponsored by Wofford College and Team Spartanburg, included appearances by Top Cat cheerleaders, Sir Purr and Big Daddy Purr, along with music, prizes and the Greatest Panthers Fan Contest, presented by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal.  The event also was sponsored by ESPN 1400 AM.

Training camp continues through Wednesday, Aug. 22.  Practices are free and open to the public, and parking is free.  For the full schedule and updates, go to www.TeamSpartanburgSC.org or www.Panthers.com, or call 1-800-374-TEAM or (864) 594-5050.

In addition to watching practice, young fans can participate in the Panthers Experience and the Panther Pals program.

The Panthers Experience is a series of interactive games where fans can test their skills.  "Fair Catch" and "Football Toss" are just two of the interactive games that will be a part of the Panthers Experience.  The Panthers Experience is geared toward children and will be open during practice from through Wednesday, Aug. 15, with some exceptions.  For a full schedule, go to www.Panthers.com.

Not only will fans be able to test their skills in receiving, passing and catching punts, but there will also be an inflatable obstacle course and stadium bounce where anyone can go when they tire of honing their talents. Additionally, there will be picture opportunities behind the "Look Like a Pro" mannequin.

Panther Pals offers children between the ages of 6 and 13 a special opportunity to watch part of select morning practices from field level and then spend time with a player or small group of players after practice. Each day’s experience is unique and dependent on player schedules and availability as determined by the Panthers.

Children can register for their chance to be a Panther Pal at the Spartanburg Convention & Visitors Bureau/Team Spartanburg tent at the morning practice on Aug. 1, Aug. 3, Aug. 6, Aug. 8, Aug. 13 and Aug.  15.  The tent is located outside the main gate to the practice fields.  Five names will be chosen about 30 minutes before the end of the practice session.  The children selected will receive a Panther Pal T-shirt and will be escorted to a special area to watch the conclusion of practice.

When practice is over, Panther Pals meet the participating players, talk to them, and stay with them while they sign autographs on their way to the training facility.

Team Spartanburg’s mission is to promote Spartanburg as a destination for sports events. The sports council, made up of more than 100 volunteers, recruits new events and provides assistance to existing sports events. Team Spartanburg is supported by its partners:

Champions – City of Spartanburg, Coca-Cola, ESPN 1400 AM, JM Smith Corp., Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System,

MVPs – Celebrate Community/Herald-Journal, Wofford College

All-Stars – Ogletree Deakins, Radisson Hotel & Suties, Showcase Marketing, Spartanburg Marriott at Renaissance Park, Spartanburg Methodist College, University of South Carolina Upstate
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