Air Force opens football practice Aug. 3
8/2/2022 10:58:00 AM | Football
Falcons will host two open sessions for fans
Air Force opens football practice in preparation for the 2022 season Wednesday, Aug. 3. The team will practice weekday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Air Force will host fans and the media at a pair of Saturday practices, Aug. 13 and Aug. 20, in Falcon Stadium at 9:30 a.m. Photo and video opportunities for the open sessions is available during pre-practice and the first two periods, which totals about 20-25 minutes.
Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun and seniors TD Blackmon (LB) and Brad Roberts (FB) will represent the program at this week's 2022 Mountain West Football Media Days July 20-21 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.
Air Force finished the season 10-3 overall and was co-champion of the Mountain West Mountain Division with a 6-2 mark. The Falcons posted double digit wins for the second time in three seasons (2019), fourth time under head coach Troy Calhoun and ninth time in school history. Air Force capped the season with a 31-28 victory over Louisville in the First Responder Bowl in Dallas, Texas, to record its third consecutive bowl win dating back to 2016, including two straight over Power 5 teams.
Air Force was picked second in the Mountain Division behind Boise State this season. Seniors Brad Roberts (running back), Vince Sanford (OLB) and Isaac Cochran (OL) were all selected to the preseason all-Mountain West team.
LOCKHEED MARTIN COMMANDERS' CLASSIC VS. ARMY
The Lockheed Martin Commanders' Classic between Air Force and Army in 2021 was the first college football game at Globe Life Field. The two-year agreement continues this season with Air Force and Army playing November 5, 2022. Army won last year's game, 21-14, in overtime. The Texas Rangers will host and operate the games with marketing assistance from Dallas-based LST Marketing.
Globe Life Field is the home of Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers, which played 30 games in the park without fans in the abbreviated 2020 season. The facility then hosted 16 MLB neutral site postseason games in the National League Division (3) and Championship (7) Series and the World Series (6). Games in the final two playoff rounds were played in front of approximately 11,500 fans per game, the maximum capacity allowed by MLB.
Designed with a retractable roof to be a premier multipurpose sports and entertainment venue, Globe Life Field was the home of more than 60 high school graduations in May and June and most recently hosted the 10-night Wrangler National Finals Rodeo from December 3-12 with sellout crowds of 14,500 per performance.
The Globe Life Field seating capacity for the Lockheed Martin Commanders' Classic is expected to approximate the 40,518 figure for baseball. The 1.8 million square foot facility includes sports lighting as well as broadcast locations that are specific to football.
FALCON STADIUM TURNS 60
Falcon Stadium celebrates 60 years during the 2022 season. The stadium opened in 1962 as the home of the Falcons. Air Force is 217-125-4 all-time in Falcon Stadium.
Since the donor-funded stadium opened, it has undergone several significant upgrades. In 1991, the Acaemy installed skyboxes and remodeled the press box. Renovations in the 1990s and 2000s to improve the fan experience increased food and beverage vendors and the additional space brought its capacity to the current 46,692 (down from 52,480). Permanent lights were installed in 2002. Going into the 2016 season, new scorebards were installed, then in 2018 the turf was replaced and the home locker room renovated. Private contributions funded most of these improvements.
The next phase of renovations are on tap following the 2022 season with the goal of transforming the facility into a state-of-the-art, world-class venue.
The Air Force Academy Foundation and the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation have announced a proposed multiphase Falcon Stadium renovation project as part of the Defining Our Future campaign in support of the Air Force Academy, publicly launched on Sept. 10, 2021.
The investment required for the initial phase will total $70 million, with philanthropic support from the Air Force Academy Foundation providing $35 million as part of the campaign and the remaining half financed by Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation revenue. The current phase is part of a multiphase master plan to upgrade and transform Falcon Stadium and will total about $180 million when finished.
With most of the initial upgrades coming on the east side of the stadium, the proposed plans include a dramatic new stadium entrance, an updated event space, relocation of the cadet section and a heritage plaza. Improved seating, concessions areas, restrooms and merchandise space will offer fans a more modern and comfortable feel as they take in an event.
AIR FORCE WELCOMES SIX NEW COACHES
Air Force welcomes six new coaches entering the 2022 season. The new coaches follow below. Position changes include Brian Knorr moving to defensive coordinator/inside linebackers, Brett Skene taking over as specialist and assistant offensive line coach and Alex Means moving to defensive line.
• Marc Bacote (James Madison, 2010), 1st year, Tight Ends
• Charlie Jackson (Air Force, 2000), 1st year, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs
• Ken Lamendola (Air Force, 2011), 1st year, Outside Linebackers
• Nick Toth (Ohio, 1999), 1st year, Safties
• E.J. Whitlow (Findlay, 2010), 1st year, Defensive Ends
• Anthony Wright (Air Force, 2012) 1st year, Defensive Assistant
Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun and seniors TD Blackmon (LB) and Brad Roberts (FB) will represent the program at this week's 2022 Mountain West Football Media Days July 20-21 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.
Air Force finished the season 10-3 overall and was co-champion of the Mountain West Mountain Division with a 6-2 mark. The Falcons posted double digit wins for the second time in three seasons (2019), fourth time under head coach Troy Calhoun and ninth time in school history. Air Force capped the season with a 31-28 victory over Louisville in the First Responder Bowl in Dallas, Texas, to record its third consecutive bowl win dating back to 2016, including two straight over Power 5 teams.
Air Force was picked second in the Mountain Division behind Boise State this season. Seniors Brad Roberts (running back), Vince Sanford (OLB) and Isaac Cochran (OL) were all selected to the preseason all-Mountain West team.
LOCKHEED MARTIN COMMANDERS' CLASSIC VS. ARMY
The Lockheed Martin Commanders' Classic between Air Force and Army in 2021 was the first college football game at Globe Life Field. The two-year agreement continues this season with Air Force and Army playing November 5, 2022. Army won last year's game, 21-14, in overtime. The Texas Rangers will host and operate the games with marketing assistance from Dallas-based LST Marketing.
Globe Life Field is the home of Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers, which played 30 games in the park without fans in the abbreviated 2020 season. The facility then hosted 16 MLB neutral site postseason games in the National League Division (3) and Championship (7) Series and the World Series (6). Games in the final two playoff rounds were played in front of approximately 11,500 fans per game, the maximum capacity allowed by MLB.
Designed with a retractable roof to be a premier multipurpose sports and entertainment venue, Globe Life Field was the home of more than 60 high school graduations in May and June and most recently hosted the 10-night Wrangler National Finals Rodeo from December 3-12 with sellout crowds of 14,500 per performance.
The Globe Life Field seating capacity for the Lockheed Martin Commanders' Classic is expected to approximate the 40,518 figure for baseball. The 1.8 million square foot facility includes sports lighting as well as broadcast locations that are specific to football.
FALCON STADIUM TURNS 60
Falcon Stadium celebrates 60 years during the 2022 season. The stadium opened in 1962 as the home of the Falcons. Air Force is 217-125-4 all-time in Falcon Stadium.
Since the donor-funded stadium opened, it has undergone several significant upgrades. In 1991, the Acaemy installed skyboxes and remodeled the press box. Renovations in the 1990s and 2000s to improve the fan experience increased food and beverage vendors and the additional space brought its capacity to the current 46,692 (down from 52,480). Permanent lights were installed in 2002. Going into the 2016 season, new scorebards were installed, then in 2018 the turf was replaced and the home locker room renovated. Private contributions funded most of these improvements.
The next phase of renovations are on tap following the 2022 season with the goal of transforming the facility into a state-of-the-art, world-class venue.
The Air Force Academy Foundation and the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation have announced a proposed multiphase Falcon Stadium renovation project as part of the Defining Our Future campaign in support of the Air Force Academy, publicly launched on Sept. 10, 2021.
The investment required for the initial phase will total $70 million, with philanthropic support from the Air Force Academy Foundation providing $35 million as part of the campaign and the remaining half financed by Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation revenue. The current phase is part of a multiphase master plan to upgrade and transform Falcon Stadium and will total about $180 million when finished.
With most of the initial upgrades coming on the east side of the stadium, the proposed plans include a dramatic new stadium entrance, an updated event space, relocation of the cadet section and a heritage plaza. Improved seating, concessions areas, restrooms and merchandise space will offer fans a more modern and comfortable feel as they take in an event.
AIR FORCE WELCOMES SIX NEW COACHES
Air Force welcomes six new coaches entering the 2022 season. The new coaches follow below. Position changes include Brian Knorr moving to defensive coordinator/inside linebackers, Brett Skene taking over as specialist and assistant offensive line coach and Alex Means moving to defensive line.
• Marc Bacote (James Madison, 2010), 1st year, Tight Ends
• Charlie Jackson (Air Force, 2000), 1st year, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs
• Ken Lamendola (Air Force, 2011), 1st year, Outside Linebackers
• Nick Toth (Ohio, 1999), 1st year, Safties
• E.J. Whitlow (Findlay, 2010), 1st year, Defensive Ends
• Anthony Wright (Air Force, 2012) 1st year, Defensive Assistant
Players Mentioned
ILB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
OLB
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