Mountain Hawks start two-a-days; TV schedule; Delaware allotment sold out

Two intriguing releases on Lehigh's web site today, and some information on Lehigh's broadcast schedule:

Mountain Hawks start two-a-days
Allotment for Delaware sold out
Lehigh Announces Broadcast Schedule

Worthy of reprinting here:

Following the team’s first evening practice of the preseason, fifth year head coach Pete Lembo said he was pleased with the team’s effort to this point. “I am pleased, but not surprised, with the physical condition of our team at this point,” Lembo explained. “With almost two-thirds of the group spending at least part of their summer here in Bethlehem, we had a good idea of their commitment level and intensity of training before they officially reported on August 9th. Several players, including some of our linemen, made solid gains in the bench, squat, vertical jump and standing broad jump over the summer.”

While many of the veterans stuck around over the summer to stay in shape and improve their strength, Lembo points out that several of the team’s newcomers have been impressive through the first eight days of camp. “I am excited about the speed, athleticism and attitude of the freshmen class. Several members of this group,” Lembo said. “One of the real cornerstones of our football program’s success in recent years is the ability of relatively unknown players to step up, despite limited playing time in the previous season. If this camp is any indicator, we will again have our share of these pleasant surprises this fall.”

That is some seriously good news that so many team members stayed over the summer and got in shape. It helps ward off injuries, and lets the coaching staff be able to work on other things early on in camp aside from getting into playing shape.

But what's intriguing is the "relatively unknown players who are stepping up". I have a feeling I know a few of these young men who are, in the offensive and defensive trenches especially. I know my projected "two deep" has changed as a result.

One interesting position battle that now may be up in the air is LB, now that senior Owen Breninger is now listed as a defensive lineman. LB Anthony "Graz" Graziani is a lock for a starting position, along with LB Matthew Purdy, leaving a question as to who the third linebacker might be. Junior Micah Greene? Junior Travis Stinson? Perhaps an "unknown player"?

Next up: Lehigh's football broadcast schedule for 2005. Here's what you need to know. TV schedules organized by day (all games live unless it says taped):

SE2: Service Electric 2, Service Electric Cable, Lehigh Valley (cable)
CN8: Comcast, Philadelphia Area and other points in the Northeast (cable)
WFMZ: WFMZ, Channel 69, Allentown
CSTV: College Sports TV (cable/satellite)
FSNP: Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh (cable/satellite)
FCSA: Fox College Sports Atlantic (cable/sattelite)

Sept 3rd, MONMOUTH, SE2, FCSA (taped)
Sept 10th, Delaware, WFMZ, CN8
Oct 1st, Harvard, WFMZ, CSTV
Oct 8th, Holy Cross, SE2, FCSA (taped)
Oct 15th, YALE, SE2, FSNP, FCS Atlantic
Oct 29th, Colgate, WFMZ, FSNP, FCSA
Nov 5th, Georgetown, SE2, FCSA (taped)
Nov 19th, LAFAYETTE, WFMZ, FSNP, FCSA, CSTV (taped)

In addition, all games will have audio broadcast over ESPN 1230 and 1320 radio in the Lehigh Valley, and will have audio feeds on Yahoo! Broadcast and lehighsports.com. Once I get the gumption I'll add links to my schedule (to your right, there) to reflect one or all of these things.

Finally, the Delaware game is extremely likely to be a sellout. Incredibly, it's 24 days before the game! Oh baby! CSTV and CN8 will be loving that... not to mention ME and all you Lehigh fans!