2016 Schedule
Opening-Day Interviews

HAMILTON – Colgate turned the page on its 2015 Patriot League championship season with the first of 15 spring practice sessions Tuesday next to Andy Kerr Stadium.
 
The Raiders took advantage of what has been a milder Central New York winter to practice on grass straight out of the gate. Colgate head coach Dan Hunt has scheduled three workouts per week for five weeks through April 23.
 
"Today is the first day of 2016," Hunt said. "You don't want to forget the success you had last year, but that's in the past and that's over.
 
"I remember in the locker room at Sam Houston, I asked them, 'Was it worth it?' And they all said yes. That offseason last year was one of the better ones we've had, and we know what that got us. We know if we want to raise it to the next level, we've got to go a little harder. We're going to move forward to next year and this is the first day."
 
Quarterback Jake Melville and linebacker Kyle Diener are senior team captains this year, joining defensive lineman Victor Steffen. Both Melville and Diener sounded eager to get back on the practice field and pick up where last season left off.
 
Looking to Get Better
"We're all excited to get back on the field," Melville said. "We've been away from the game for a couple of months and we just want to come out, get better and get ready for next season.
 
"We're going to go with the same plan as last summer and get all the guys up here. Spend some time together, work out, get closer as a unit and then come out on Saturdays and perform."
 
Melville led the Raiders in rushing with 1,073 yards and added 2,552 yards through the air at a 55-percent completion rate. Diener, meanwhile, was the team's tackle leader with 129.
 
"We've been waiting the whole winter for this," Diener said. "We've been doing morning runs and we're finally back. Everyone is excited to be back to it and start playing football again.
 
"Last year, we were a good defense and we were great at times. Now we want to be a great defense all the time. That starts here, goes through the summer and into fall camp, and through all 10 games next year. We're looking forward to starting the process."
 
Colgate Spring Practice Dates
Week 1 – March 22, 24 and 26
Week 2 – March 29 and 31, April 2
Week 3 – April 5, 7 and 9
Week 4 – April 12, 14 and 16
Week 5 – April 19, 21 and 23